Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my Doberman's ears cropped. He will be 4 months old next weeks. My question is---Should I tape his ears? When the cropping was done, the vet placed a plastic crown on his head and stiched the crown to both the head and the ears. The ears stayed upright in the crown for approximately one month. The crown was taken off a couple of weeks ago. The ears were standing immediately. However, the ears are not stiff, but I am not sure whether they are supposed to be. Also, my Dobe can flop his ears upon will and usually does this when he meets a new person. Then he can make them stand up again. So... should I tape? The vet said no, but I am unsure. If I tape, do the ears stand stiff, or do Doberman ears never stand stiff?

It's hard to give you an answer without seeing the dog, and knowing how you're using the terms "flop" and "stiff".

Dobermans with cropped ears can fold their ears, hold them out to the side, do a variety of different things with them according to their mood. However, if the ears have been posted correctly for long enough, they never hang like noodles. If the ears are limp at any time, even the tips, then they need to be posted for awhile longer.

I guess what I mean by stiff is not able to move them. For instance, like a dog with a natural stand up ear, who can't move them. From your answer is seems natural for a Doberman to be able to flop his ears according to mood which mine does. I was just curious because I have read numerous articles about taping after cropping and I don't think I need to do that. His ears stand quite well when in the appropriate mood. Sometimes when in rowdy mood he even makes them touch while standing. I was just wondering whether it was odd never to have to tape at all. Maybe it was the method of cropping the vet used.

Thank you.

Shawna