GUIDE TO CORRECT FITTING OF DOBERMAN’S EARS
As many of our customers have requested, we have decided to create a guide for the correct placement of Doberman puppy ears. It is not particularly complicated, but it will take some practice and patience, and with the right technique and time, this procedure will become a routine that you will perform with ease.
WHAT IS BUYING?
It is a medical procedure that has been used since 1890. , the time when the Doberman Pinscher breed was established by Louis Doberman, a tax official. The intention was to cut off the “free” parts so that the dog would be more efficient in work and protection, with less chance of being injured.
Today it is mostly done for aesthetic reasons and as part of preserving the distinctive appearance of the Doberman breed. It is performed under total anesthesia and deep sedation. Your puppy will feel no pain and will have no memory of the procedure itself.
THE BASICS BEFORE BEGINNING TO FIT THE EARS
- Thread removal – Threads must be removed. Only a few days after the sutures have been removed and the wounds have completely healed, you can consider starting to fit your puppy’s ears.
- Healthy ears – Make sure there are no signs of inflammation, scabs, blood, erosion, redness, lumps, pimples… Ears must be completely healthy.
- Product Free – Do not use soap, creams, moisturizers or oils on your puppy’s ears.
- Regular placement – When you start taping, keep the tape on for 6 days in a row, and on the 7th. day, take off the bandages and let the ears “breathe”. It takes a puppy between one and six months for the ears to stand up. Flestier ears, thicker skins will have to be glued and lifted longer. In most cases, 1-2 months is the time frame. So glue them regularly. Discipline and consistency are the keys to success.
MATERIAL AND PROCEDURE
- Hair curlers – We use hair curlers as support because they are made of soft rubber material. (You can find them on Amazon at an affordable price, and our customers in Serbia can find them in any Chinese department store). It will not damage your puppy’s soft tissue unlike some harder materials such as wood or plastic that can also be used for this purpose. If they are not experienced in fitting ears, we do not recommend using items made of hard materials.
- Tape – Prepare 10 pieces of tape before you start so it will be much easier when you start gluing.
- Technique :
- Look for the physiological pocket at the base of the ear, it is located just outside the ear canal, like a small extension of the skin. Push the curler deep into your pocket. That way, your puppy won’t be able to take it out easily, which is especially challenging if you have more than one dog in the household.
- Start gluing low from the base, along the very head. You will probably use 3-4 pieces of tape from the base to the top.
- After you have glued, gently press the puppy’s ear. Not too strong, just a little, so that the glue bonds firmly to the fur and skin. If the pressure is too high, it can cause edema and damage to your dog’s ears.
- When you’re done, you can make a bridge between the ears or leave it unbridged. Some breeders find that it is better to strengthen the muscles at the base when the ears are not bridged in the middle.
MAINTENANCE
- Remove the tape every 6 days for a few hours and re-apply it.
- Keep the ears dry and clean.
- The hair will fall out, but don’t worry, it will grow back soon after the ears stand up and you stop gluing.
If you’re interested in us making a video on how to properly fit uncropped ears, let us know in the comments below.
Thank you for your time.
Eagle Doberman