Angus and ear glue, tape

I find this discussion interesting if the standard favors upright ears but we have to interfere with natural development with gluing, are we then hiding a defect? are we in danger of breeding upright ears out of the breed by breeding dogs that have naturally floppy ears? Frankly, although I do love Willow's upright ears as they are so expressive, I really wouldn't care if they were down or one up and one down.
 
GlennR said:
I find this discussion interesting if the standard favors upright ears but we have to interfere with natural development with gluing, are we then hiding a defect? are we in danger of breeding upright ears out of the breed by breeding dogs that have naturally floppy ears? Frankly, although I do love Willow's upright ears as they are so expressive, I really wouldn't care if they were down or one up and one down.
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Actually, the standard calls for tipped ears. Upright ears are a fault:
"Ears small and flexible, placed high, carried three-fourths erect, with tips breaking forward. When in repose the ears fold lengthwise and are thrown back into the frill. Faults - Set too low. Hound, prick, bat, twisted ears. Leather too thick or too thin."
 
Ann, you are correct. I should have used better terminology. Still, the question stands, if you augment or modify the natural ear set is it the right thing to do?
 
GlennR said:
Ann, you are correct. I should have used better terminology. Still, the question stands, if you augment or modify the natural ear set is it the right thing to do?
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It does no harm to the dog, it's necessary for the show dog and a preference for non show dogs. It's also a preference for others to leave the ears as they are; prick ears, one up one down. It's your choice.
 
I agree, it doesn’t physically hurt them but it can be a traumatic event to them. I do know that Blueberry hates her collar and I believe it’s from when her ears were taped. Now she remembers that and literally runs the other way when she sees it.
In terms of modifying a breed I was pleasantly surprised when at a handling class I saw a Cocker that had a natural tail, not docked. They actually have quite the nice tail. My last dog was a Cocker and she was always so sensitive about her tail, nice to see show Cockers kept natural.
 
Glenn, that topic ranks up there with so many things that affect our dogs. What’s the best food? (Top way I know to start a contentious conversation!) To crate or not to crate? Bark softening? Horrors! Positive reinforcement or alpha training? You see where I’m going.

No doubt, whether a Sheltie’s ears are up or down affects their worth as a great dog not one iota. But those of us who are breed purists believe it enhances their expression a great deal. There’s no good answer to your question. It is absolutely the right thing to do for those of us who feel that way, especially since it doesn’t hurt the dog, and the standard dictates that it’s the way a Sheltie should look. If some day the standard changes — and that does happen — then it may not be the right thing to do.

There was a great article this week by Dr. Karen Becker listing the breeds that have been ruined, compete with photos of them 50 years ago and how they look today. Examples included German Shepherds, Pugs and English Bulldogs. I agree with all of them. The changes breeding to a certain look created has hurt the dogs. We walk a fine line when we tamper with nature. Years ago, all Shelties had tipped ears without human intervention. We have no idea why that’s changed in many. Is it right to want to keep them how they were originally? I’m not sure there’s a right or wrong. I think the answer is purely in the eye of the beholder.
 
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