ears glueing - why?

P

Pennylane

Forums Regular
Hi

I've been reading a few of the posts here about glueing sheltie ears - i'm just curious as to whether this is a problem that affects every or most Sheltie and at what age? Miles is about 16 weeks (no sign of prick ears so far) and i'm not sure whether i should expect to see them up soon?

Also, apart from cosmetic reasons, why glue their ears so they tip? Is there any health reasons at all?

Thanks!! :smile2:
 
No health reasons for gluing the tips...its all to help hold the ears to the slight tip and up position that is the sheltie standard. If you're planning to show your dog its vital to encourage the perfect ear posture. Otherwise, electing to shape your pet sheltie's ears is all a matter of personal preference.
 
At 16 weeks you may have a natural tipped ear sheltie. Lucky you! the tipped ears actually do serve a purpose. Its supposed to protect their ear canal from the elements when they are out in the fields herding sheep. So the ice/snow/rain does not go in their ears...(or atleast thats what I read somewhere)
 
When I got Ella her ears were straight up, no tip at all.After 2 weeks, her right one started to tip, but her left not. 2 weeks later, the right went back up and the left started to tip.

2 weeks later they both went back up and I've left them that way since. It really is a matter of preference. However, you just have to make sure because with the untipped ears there is more of a chance of something getting inside them.

Here they are in all their untipped glory (also after she tried to fight the outside door).

http://picasaweb.google.com/rjknapp19/Ella#5300301288854685666
 
If you're going to have any trouble with the ears, it'll usually be during teething, which seems to cause the ears to go up and down.
Most show people put them up regardless to be on the safe side, as you can't show them if they're prick, and that's not a chance most want to take.
 
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Lightplum said:
At 16 weeks you may have a natural tipped ear sheltie. Lucky you! the tipped ears actually do serve a purpose. Its supposed to protect their ear canal from the elements when they are out in the fields herding sheep. So the ice/snow/rain does not go in their ears...(or atleast thats what I read somewhere)
Click to expand...

Oh then Bacca should be just fine out in the elements! Nothing is going to get past those hound ears!

http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/oo331/vachonb/?action=view&current=P1181514.jpg

:lol:
 
Thanks for the great pictures BarbV. I had not seen Bacca and Indy before and they are both just fantastic looking. You're very lucky to have such beautiful boys.
 
Crystal1 said:
Thanks for the great pictures BarbV. I had not seen Bacca and Indy before and they are both just fantastic looking. You're very lucky to have such beautiful boys.
Click to expand...

You can check them both out here on Sheltie Forum's. Since I am a premium member, I'm fortunate to be able to post my pics right here. But I also keep photobucket too.

I always laugh at this picture....Bacca looks so worried with Indy looming up behind him!
 
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