After receiving numerous inquiries from our dedicated Doberman community, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to properly posting your Doberman puppy’s ears. While this process requires some practice and patience, with the right technique and consistent application, it will soon become second nature.
Understanding Ear Cropping: Historical Context & Modern Practice
Ear cropping has been a standard practice since 1890 when Louis Doberman, a tax collector, first established the Doberman Pinscher breed. Originally, the procedure served a functional purpose—removing the “loose” parts of the ears made these working dogs more efficient in protection roles and reduced their risk of injury during confrontations.
Today, cropping is primarily performed for aesthetic purposes and to maintain the iconic, alert appearance that has become the Doberman’s signature look. Rest assured, the procedure is conducted under total anesthesia and deep sedation by veterinary professionals, ensuring your puppy experiences no pain and retains no memory of the process.
Essential Prerequisites Before You Begin
Before attempting to post your puppy’s ears, several critical conditions must be met:
- Complete healing: Stitches must be completely removed and the incision sites fully healed. Rushing this step can lead to complications.
- No signs of inflammation: Carefully examine the ears for any crusting, blood, erosions, redness, or unusual bumps. The ears must be completely healthy before posting.
- Keep it clean: Avoid applying soaps, creams, moisturizers, or oils to your puppy’s ears, as these can interfere with the posting process and potentially cause irritation.
- Establish a routine: When you begin posting, maintain the bandages for 6 consecutive days. On the 7th day, remove everything and allow the ears to “breathe” for several hours before reapplying.
What to Expect: Timeline for Success
The ear-standing process typically takes between 1-6 months, with most Dobermans achieving proper ear carriage within 1-2 months of consistent posting. Remember that individual results may vary based on genetics, ear leather thickness, and how consistently the ears are posted. The keys to success are discipline, consistency, and proper technique.
Materials You’ll Need
We recommend using soft rubber hair curlers as ear supports (available affordably on Amazon and other online retailers). These provide excellent structure without damaging the delicate ear tissue—a crucial consideration for long-term ear health.
You’ll also need quality medical or athletic tape. Pro tip: Cut approximately 10 pieces of tape before you begin the process to make application smoother and less stressful for both you and your puppy.
Medical fabric bandage, 2.5cm wide (approximately 1 inch). Bandages made from other materials typically have weaker adhesive strength
Step-by-Step Posting Technique
- Locate the ear pocket: Find the natural pocket within your puppy’s ear and insert the hair curler deeply. This secure placement prevents your puppy from easily removing it, particularly important in multi-dog households.
- Begin at the base: Start taping low from the base of the ear, working your way up. Typically, you’ll use 3-4 pieces of tape from base to tip.
- Apply gentle pressure: After taping, apply slight pressure on the ear—not too tight, just enough to ensure the tape adheres firmly to the fur and skin. Too much pressure can cause edema and damage the ear tissue.
- Consider a bridge: You may choose to create a “bridge” connecting both ears or leave them independent. Some experienced breeders suggest that independent posting better strengthens the base muscles, but both methods can be effective.
Maintenance Tips for Optimal Results
- Remove and replace the posting every 6 days
- Allow several hours of “breathing time” between postings
- Keep the ears clean and dry
- Don’t be alarmed if some fur falls out—it will regrow once your puppy’s ears stand permanently
Remember that patience is paramount—each puppy develops at their own pace, and rushing the process can lead to unsatisfactory results. With consistent application and proper technique, your Doberman will soon display the proud, alert expression that defines this magnificent breed.
If you’re interested in a video tutorial on how to properly tape uncut Doberman ears (for those in regions where cropping is prohibited), let us know in the comments section below.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in Orao Doberman