Puppies Ears!

Hi guys,
My puppy is now coming up to 9 months and his ears have started to get 'fly away'..until recently he had lovely half prick ears but now they're starting to look a bit daft, particularly his left ear...I've read online that various people have used micropore tape to encourage the ears to develop to standard, or copydex...But this is usually recommended during teething when calcium is being diverted to teeth and the ear cartilage has softened...
My lad is 9 months now, so would he be too old? He's a pure bred dog with an excellent pedigree...both parents have lovely ears...Will they settle back down?
I'd like to sort his ears out if possible (even though lots of people will not doubt tell me how 'cute' it looks), because it makes him look like a mutt and in future i'd like to consider showing him or using him as a stud dog....
I'll also be contacting the breeder to see what she advises..
Any advice would be great.

I think most dogs go through odd growth stages so they may settle back down.. Or they may not. What will be will be. Honestly.. I don't breed/show and I couldn't care less how my dog looks (she is a "mutt" ) so I couldn't be of any help to you. I'd imagine taping a dogs ears would cause discomfort though

I'm sorry, but I find this a bit worrying. Maybe that's because I have 'mutts' and because I believe in loving dogs for what they are inside, rather than for what they happen to look like. I would not in a million years be considering using Copydex on a dog's ears!

And... if I was the sort of person who would only buy a puppy from a parent with ears that looked a particular way, I wouldn't be impressed to find that they'd been created that certain way after the event.

So please, leave them alone and just be happy to have a lovely healthy friend.

I would be surprised if people that show their Staffies try to alter the ears. I've seen many a pup on here that has had huge floppy ears only to grow into them and look completely Stafford like once mature.

I would be very dubious as to whether micropore tape would have the desired effect anyway, wouldn't the ear just grow anyway

I have a purebred i got at 8wks. His ears were perky then grew floppy and looked 'daft', at 2.5yrs he definately has nice pointy ears so pls don't alter them give him time to develop and you will prob see them change. If he comes from amazing looking parents he's in with a good chance surely. He's only a puppy remember!! Let nature take its course!!

when they are pups their ears do all sort of crazy things,i'm sure they will sort themselves out in time

Cheers folks...I spoke to the breeder and she told me that 'a lot of breeders' of many different breeds use various methods to correct their dogs ears...In German Shepherds and Collies for instance it's very common for them to support them so that they stay upright...
I've also learned that A LOT of people who show dogs tape their ears a few days before a show then remove them..The effects last for a few days after apparently...Taping isn't uncomfortable apparently as it isn't supposed to tight, it's either to support the ear or to stop it from standing up depending on the breed...
I'd still love him, even if he three ears but i just wanted some feedback...I'd hate for him to have daft, sticky up ears, (because he sooOOo handsome) but i'd just start calling him Lugs instead...

Technically taping would count as bending or cheating the rules of non-interference that shows are supposed to enforce. The intent is supposed to be to breed away from 'faults' such as german shepherds with floppy ears, instead of faking it by taping the ears up.

Wow.. So this is common practice?? And.. this is why I am involved in rescue rather than breeding! I'm just thankful that my not to standard staffie with big ears is now happy and healthy after years of torment from her breeders and winding up in a rescue centre.

funkyrimpler wrote:I've also learned that A LOT of people who show dogs tape their ears a few days before a show then remove them.. Taping isn't uncomfortable apparently as it isn't supposed to tight, it's either to support the ear or to stop it from standing up depending on the breed...

A LOT of people hit horses with whips. Many of those people, especially in the racing world, will tell you it doesn't hurt, even though there is evidence to the contrary. People will believe what they want and will justify doing what will get them the result they are after, especially if there is a prize at the end of it. That doesn't make it right to follow their example.

Before you go and tape your dog's ears, please promise me you'll do the same to yourself first. Tape your own ears down for a couple of days (don't worry, it won't be uncomfortable). You'll have to do it to yourself as I doubt if you'll find anyone else to let you do it to them.

As I said elsewhere, talking about Crufts and the sad, deformed dogs who where shown AND WON, I would love to ban showing and breeding for looks. Think about it, if they admit to the practise you describe, just imagine what they do that they don't admit to? Poor dogs.

(ps - I love Bug's ears!)

To me crufts has to be one of the worst shows on the planet accept your dog however they may seem ( maybe thats why I have a mutt!) . dogs like people have their faults . I don't see how taking your dog to a show to see how spectacular they are is so important to the point you may be willing to temporarily or otherwise fix your dog so it may seem perfect to others . people on this forum have turned their dogs lives around most people would be proud of nobody expects recognition for this and they should mutts and all and lovely they are too.

People are not perfect so why should we expect our dogs to be. We all have flaws, I know I do otherwise I'd would be walking the catwalk now instead of stuck in an office  I think my girl is absolutely perfect the way she is, I'd never try to change any part of her unless it was for a health reason.

What makes a dog perfect is their intelligence and kindness, so what if they have big ears or a big tail etc, this doesn't affect the important part of them. You have a loyal friend and companion, don't try to change something that is perfectly natural.

This kind of talk is why I prefer dogs to people. Why anyone would think its okay to tape a dogs ears is beyond me! Anyone prepared to do that shouldn't be allowed to own a dog.

plenty on the subject of 'ears' here :
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/search?search_keywords=ears

one post here suggests an ear massage ..
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t60882-odd-ears?highlight=ears

is the ear-shape a genetic thing ?
if so .. taping or glue'ing the ears won't change the offsprings ears ..

not keen on the idea myself .. the glu'ing or taping
but .. is it any worse than a child having to wear braces on their teeth ? ( just a thought )
ok .. it's usually for proper 'bite' purposes ..
even so ..
on the other hand .. doggy don't understand why his or her ears are being glued or taped ..
whereas child usually understand the reason for teeth-braces .. ( i.e. if such devices are still used today )

think the ear-massage idea be kinder ..

odd .. my Lady has pricked ears ..
but when she goes for a swim .. ( er .. IF she goes for a .. ) then her right ear flops down like a regular staffy's ear .. looks like she has a split personality ..
i quite like her pricked ears .. be what natural 'wild dogs' have .. no doubt a survival advantage in the hearing-locating department ..

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it is a fairly common practice in dog showing, but that doesn't mean it's right. a pup's ears change regularly over the first year or so, so a 9 month pup isn't yet the 'finished article'. however, if they stay as they are, would you sell your dog on and buy another more 'perfect' one? I would doubt it - or at least hope not!

although it's common practice in ALL show fields (not just dogs) to 'adjust' certain parts of an animal's anatomy it's still cheating. if someone wants to win at all costs, then maybe they should grow & show vegetables instead of having a pet.

not aimed at you, I hasten to add - just to those who look at dogs as an extension of their own vanity.