Ear question

[JLeigh]

Hi!

I'm pretty new at posting here, so I wanted to say HI to everyone.

We have a 2 yo boxer named Samson. He's the prince of our house. We recently added a new addition to our family. His name is Sawyer and he's 13 weeks old. He's such a doll!

Sawyer's ears seem to be so different then Samsons were. They don't do the flip to the front. They have a fold in them at the top before they attempt to flip (which I think is extra cute) and seem to have more 'ear' to them then Samson's did.

I'm going to attempt to add photos of them to show them off.

Anyone else have a dog with big ears?? It doesn't bother me, although dh is already mentioning getting his ears cropped. We had Samson's done, but I thought we should just let Sawyer have his ears like they are. Samson had a rough two days after surgery and I don't think I want to do that to Sawyer. I'm sure it left a worse impression on me than it did the dog

Thanks

 

[ljnash]

Hello fellow Kentuckian! Welcome to Boxerworld!

I am having trouble visualizing Sawyer's ears, so maybe a photo would help, when you get around to posting some! I don't think my dogs ears do what yours is doing. You can look at my gallery and see Samantha & Beau!

Glad to have you here--there aren't many boxer owners from Kentucky here at BW!

Lenore

 

[Thomas Liggin]

There are several threads that deal with Boxers' ears. The most common is the "flying ear". Some recommend taping them, while other recommend massaging them to get a "proper or nice set".

I couldn't make hide nor hair about the massaging instructions I found somewhere, but Indy had one flying ear. In a "proper set" the ear actually folds forward, but the cartilege is stiffer in some dogs which causes the flying ear.

What worked for us, and Indy enjoyed the process, was to fold the ear forward at about the halfway point. It will be where the ear is not attached to the head along its top line.

Press the ear against the head, then fold the back edge forward, allowing it to bend where it wants, usually near the middle. The two edges, should nearly come together. Then work the ear at the fold like you were trying to crease a piece of paper. Don't pinch hard enough to cause discomfort. Then use the palm of your hand and press and rub the fold against the head. Your dog will probably enjoy it as much as having his ears or neck rubbed.

Repeat the process whenever your pup is sitting or lying with you. Eventually the cartilege will "kink" at that spot, and the ears will lie nicely alongside the head.

Your dog won't be any better, since it's only an aesthetic thing. You can be assured that Samson won't know the difference.


Tom

 

[Rott N Box]

I believe I read on here that the cut off for getting ears cropped is about 12 weeks, so if you want to do it, and actually get them to stand, I think they would need to be done immediately for any kind of good results, and it may even be too late for that. IMO, I like the natural look, any way they fly. Although a nicely folded ear looks good, I think all dogs should be left as God made them, except with out tails and dews of course

 

[Matt S]

It can be quite normal for a pup to "fly" it's ears whilst teething & Sawyer's right about the teething age. During this time it can appear as if the ears have a mind of their own. Generally it's just a phase & things will return to "normal".
Here's a link for ear massage that you might like to try....

http://intrends.tripod.com/MASSAGE.html