Ear training

[Ann]

Breeders tip their puppies' ears for conformation, but it's not just for breeding and showing. Tipped ears soften the expression and as Cleo said, conform to the Sheltie standard. Shetie ears used to naturally tip, and some still do -- my first Sheltie had naturally tipped ears and I never had to touch them -- but for some reason tipping does not seem to occur naturally in many lines now. Tipped ears also protect the ears from debri and dirt. It's a project to keep them braced, but I do love the look!

 

[Christopher Lanier]

Well said.

 

[MissyGallant]

GROAN! We're about to begin the "Ear Battle" with Rocket. I am NOT looking forward to it. But on Saturday, up popped those little Rocket ears.

 

[ghggp]

Question, would this be hereditary?

Example, if both parents have naturally tipped ears would that mean the siblings will too?

My Logan has naturally tipped ears. They were never were touched. Although, Laddie and first female sheltie Kelsey had to have their ears tipped by taping.

Love Relic's look! So sweet! Good job on the ears!

 

[Ann]

Question, would this be hereditary?

Example, if both parents have naturally tipped ears would that mean the siblings will too?

My Logan has naturally tipped ears. They were never were touched. Although, Laddie and first female sheltie Kelsey had to have their ears tipped by taping.

Love Relic's look! So sweet! Good job on the ears!

View attachment 12671

Beautiful picture of Logan, Gloria! What a handsome boy he is.

Unfortunately no, tipped ears doesn't seem to be genetic at all. There's no rhyme or reason in my experience why one dog's ears will tip easier than another's, except for the thickness of the ear leather. Some ears tend to go "hound" (they're so tipped that they sit on the head) while others are straight up. That's why bracing them from an early age makes such a difference.

 

[ghggp]

Beautiful picture of Logan, Gloria! What a handsome boy he is.

Unfortunately no, tipped ears doesn't seem to be genetic at all. There's no rhyme or reason in my experience why one dog's ears will tip easier than another's, except for the thickness of the ear leather. Some ears tend to go "hound" (they're so tipped that they sit on the head) while others are straight up. That's why bracing them from an early age makes such a difference.

Thanks Ann!
You think it would have a genetic component to it!
Oh well...

 

[SKNerissa]

Is this ear gluing only for breeding or showing?
Mandy's ears are straight up, like a shepherd.

My first sheltie, Prince's ears were pricked and it didn't bother me. Riley's ears are naturally tipped but not perfect. I didn't realize the benefits until I started taking Riley to play in the same field that Prince used to play in. Every year Prince would end up at the vet to get spear grass removed from inside his ears. Riley will be 5 this month and so far the only spear grass has been on the outside of his ears and easily picked off. I'm on a wait list for a rough Collie and will certainly tip it's ears and future shelties' if they are pricked - the spear grass issue alone makes it so worth it.

 

[Vera Hallam]

Ah, I see. thanks. Hmm lots to think about.

 

[MausieBlum]

Good day! I am hoping someone is able to help. I have a 9 week old pup, who's one is bending backwards when braced and taped. I removed the brace this morning to give the ear a chance to 'relax'. what can I do to stop the ear from bending backwards? it is only the pups right ear which is bending backwards. I wish I could attach a picture for you so see, but it seems that I unfortunately can't.

 

[Ann]

Hi Mausie and welcome to the Forums! Are you also bracing your pup's ears together on top of his head when they're taped? If not, this should help the one that's tipping back. You can do this with an additional piece of tape and using yarn to tie them together (punch a hole in a piece of tape -- one in each ear -- and run the yarn through that, then tie them together) or simply take a spot of glue and a bit of hair from the inner edge of each ear and hold them together on top of the head. You can see in the photo below how the ears are close together on top of the head. They're braced with a bit of Jiffy Sew glue.

We do this with all the puppies because it also serves to keep the ears from getting to wide as the head grows, and sliding down the sides of the head as the puppy grows. But I think it should prevent your problem ear from falling back.