Show ears

diamond · 06-16-2008, 10:09 PM

Until recently, I had not had a dog in the ring or been to a show in ten years. I just got a new puppy that I do plan to show so I have attended some recent shows and have been looking at what is out there. Is it just me or have the ears become much longer? Some of the top dogs have ears so long that they become more noticable than the dogs head.

KieferstahlDobermann · 06-16-2008, 11:06 PM

It seems that way, doesn't it? I am going to show Silence and he has a medium working crop. I just don't see the appeal of dogs' ears blowin in the wind. I think he'll do just fine for the medium crop, plus, I think it's all in the handler's taste. But, I don't know much about conformation showing...I am here to learn more about it though.

zeus and me · 06-17-2008, 06:32 AM

I agree the ears have gotten MUCH longer! and I myself am not sure I am liking it! my pup has a long show crop. I am having FITS trying to get them to stand straight........ug!

rainddobes · 06-19-2008, 04:42 PM

Yes, they are getting longer and longer. I'm so glad that when Jaden's ears were cropped, the breeder mentioned that she did not want those overly long ear crops. I think that I will not have a problem with Jaden's ears the length they are.

**velmadobe** · 06-19-2008, 09:20 PM

my litter all had the very long show crop, and while they are beautiful when they are finally done, that can take awhile. I think I would be happy with a crop that is just a tad bit modified. My puppies were all cropped all the way to the end of the ear.

**Quita** · 06-19-2008, 10:48 PM

Risa has a long show crop. She'll be 11 months old on June 23rd. Right now when she runs, the very tips just bounce and bed all about... I'm wondering if they will ever stiffen up a bit more.

I am still using breathe right strips. They do great! I just want that stiffness WITHOUT the extra help. I like the medium and long look... but not toooooooooo long. I don't like seeing them flapping in the wind. LOL

zeus and me · 06-20-2008, 08:55 AM

zeus's ear stand but want to angle tword the middle! it really is giving me fits. when he is REALLY alert they make a tee-pee triangle shape.....if he relaxes a bit they look ok for example. his where cropped to the end of his ears as long as they could go

the semi relaxed

and the tee pee

Linda H · 06-20-2008, 09:21 AM

I had one in the 70's that I would consider as long as most today. I don't think they were the very extreme that is seen today tho but they were close. I don't like the extremely long as they distract from the head to me also. You just get to looking at the ears instead of the expression. But if you buy a show pup you just get what the breeder prefers. The boy I have now has the show cut, but not the extreme one. I was lucky that my breeder doesn't like the donkey ears either, tho she called them rabbit ears.

diamond · 06-20-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainddobes

Yes, they are getting longer and longer. I'm so glad that when Jaden's ears were cropped, the breeder mentioned that she did not want those overly long ear crops. I think that I will not have a problem with Jaden's ears the length they are.

My breeder also does not use the long show crop. He say's it is more difficult and takes much longer to get them to stand. It appears that the people who have responded to this post have had similar issues.

Linda H · 06-20-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamond

My breeder also does not use the long show crop. He say's it is more difficult and takes much longer to get them to stand. It appears that the people who have responded to this post have had similar issues.

You know I really wonder about the strength of the cartilage in todays doberman's ears. I wonder if this is something that people need to consider when breeding. Great something else to worry about. But maybe it should be at least thought about.
My girl with the very long trim stood in only one taping. The shortest cut took the longest to stand going to a little over six months. The cropper was Patty Edwards tho and she trimmed according to the shape of the dogs head plus, I think, the strength of the puppies cartllage. I had one very long trim, one pretty darn long, one medium and one short medium.