Hi Dennis
Hi, my name is Kathy and I have a 14 month old brindle baby named Bailey. I got his ears clipped 5 weeks ago and believe you me, i researched it fully before having it done. I spoke to many many people who had boxers with clipped ears and also to other folks with other breeds like schnauzers, dobies, etc. to see who they would recommend. Then I interviewed the vet to make sure that he was someone I could trust. The vet I chose left his ears untaped for 14 days to let the suturing heal before beginning to tape. It does not delay the process and gives the ears a chance to heal. Bailey's ears have been taped for three weeks now, and Sunday I take them down for 48 hours before another visit to the vet. The vet likes to see how the healing is progressing and gives Bailey a chance to rest from the taping. He is doing fine. I would never say that it is harmless, because it is a surgical procedure and in itself traumatic, but it went well for Bailey. It is a constant source of irritation to him to have his ears taped, and he does a fair amount of head shaking, but in general is being an extremely good boy about it. Right now he seems to have accepted it. I really wanted my baby to have the cropped ears that I feel are so "boxerish", but I can't say that I will have another done. After seeing some of the pictures of "Natural" ears, well, all boxers are just plain beautiful no matter what their ears look like. Good luck with your baby! Let us know how it turns out.
