Jaspers Ears - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DanicaBraggs · 03-24-2009, 08:32 AM

Ok last Tuesday we were at Puppy class and a lady who has a little female yorkie named Megan told me I needed to fix Jaspers left ear.He is now 12 wks. old by the way.Anyway his left ear slightly has a bend to it.The other ear sticks up fine.I just thought it would fix itself,I don't know much about this stuff.Well she said I needed to get this certain type of tape and would have to tape both ears.I am no expert on this stuff at all.Jasper goes to see the Vet on Thursday for more of his shots.Would he be the one I should ask about his ears or what?To me Jasper is cute just the way he is but obviously he is flawed because of this.I mean that is the way the lady put it.I have AKC papers on him and he has relatives that were in Dog shows and did other things.His Great Grandfather won first place in some well known Dog competition.My Aunt who has the history on Jasper said he comes from a really good line.That was good enough for me I just wanted a healthy puppy that my kids could grow up with.My oldest now though wants to put him in local dog shows and this lady said he wouldn't get in with his ear being that way.She also said and this is because she wants Megan and him to breed.She said I will get less in the stud fee because he has a flaw.I have another person Tammy who wants to use Jasper for her Marybelle and she never said anything about Jasper being flawed.I have papers on him he is healthy.His teeth look good and we will never miss a Vet apointment so health should not be a problem.I mean the big deal is the ear.What do you think?Is this a big deal?Does it fix itself or is it too late?At 12 wks. is it possible they just haven't perked up yet?If he does need it fixed has anyone ever had it done?Is it pricey?Or is it something I can do at home?
Thanks ahead of time on any input

melc · 03-24-2009, 09:16 AM

OMG!! Don't do anything to his ear!! Especially if it is just slightly bend. It will fix itself. Sometimes they will go up and down for several months before they stand entirely. Have you trimmed the excess hair off of it so that it isn't heavy? If they are teething sometimes that pulls calcium out of the ear and makes it droop. Maybe add a teaspoon of cottage cheese to his diet. I had a litter of puppies that one of them didn't get her ears up entirely until she was around 14-15 weeks. They are perfect now. Good luck...keep us posted!

jeanietoo · 03-24-2009, 09:22 AM

A lot of people do tape their ears but I bred yorkies for 20 years and never taped an ear. I truly don't believe taping does a thing. If you keep the hair shaved off the top half of the ear they will stand if they are meant to. Massaging the ear also helps to increase blood flow

TeresaM · 03-24-2009, 11:56 AM

I agree with the others, no need to tape them. Just be sure that the tips are trimmed of all excess hair. Yogi is 7 months old and his still droop some when his hair gets too long on the tips or he's working on a tooth.

I use to gently pull Gracie Ruths up and tell her, "Like this Gracie, make your ears do like this." She just looked at me and asked, "Why me? Why did I get the crazy Momma?" Then she'd give me a kiss on the nose and tear off after Boo to play.

sdnylz · 03-26-2009, 04:32 PM

my Sasha's ears stood up by itself.

Breeze · 03-26-2009, 04:47 PM

A droopy ear on a 12 week old puppy is not a flaw and very common. You can shave the top half of each ear and usually they will stand, tapeing is normal too and there are many threads on here at YT to tell and show you how. You can find them in search or in the grooming section.

That lady just wanted a "cheap' stud or is very uneducated about yorkies. You would not want to stud your yorkie with her dogs ever. I would also recommend not studding your dog out without the proper medical tests done to insure he is a good candidate for breeding. Breeding dogs can also mark all the time needing them to wear belly bands to prevent damage in your house....

There are also many great threads with breeding advice in the breeding forum. Breeding is not to be taken lightly due to the risks and the over pet population, so please think about it carefully.

Breeze · 03-26-2009, 04:58 PM

The health test are more than just a check-up at the vets. Here is a list of tests that need to be done, yorkies are prone to many heritary conditions and you need to make sure if you bred you are not passing them down. You cannot tell whether your dog maybe a carrier unless these tests are done.

Previously posted here by Tiggerr3692 and myfairlady:

A very careful and thorough physical exam by vet
Complete Blood Panel
Bile Acid Test
Brucellosis Test (every time before breeding)

And these are the Health certifications available. It's very impressive to me when a breeder goes further than the basic health testing I mentioned above and gets their dogs certified for any of these things. If I ever decide to show and breed, I'd probably look into most of these for my dogs.

Patella and hips cleared & certified by OFA
OFA: Patellar Luxation OFA: Patellar Luxation
OFA: Hip Dysplasia OFA: Hip Dysplasia
OFA: Legg-Calve-Perthes OFA: Legg-Calve-Perthes

Eyes checked & cleared & certified by CERF
CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation

Heart checked & cleared & certified by OFA
OFA: Cardiac Congenital Disease OFA: Cardiac Congenital Disease

Thyroid checked & cleared & certified by OFA
OFA: Thyroid OFA: Thyroid

Ears checked & cleared & certified by OFA
OFA: Deafness OFA: Deafness
(personally, I think this probably isn't needed for our breed..)

You also want to do research into the pedigrees of the male and female to check for any genetic defects/diseases to
__________________

speleogirl37 · 03-26-2009, 05:05 PM

Madison's ears are the same, just her right ear is bent. I don't care, it's just so darn cute. I was hoping her ears would stay floppy. I'm just going to let them be what they will be, I will not be doing any taping. Not that I have anything against it, I just want whatever happens too happen.

DanicaBraggs · 03-26-2009, 05:31 PM

Thanks Breeze for your input and Yes we knew about getting a health test done on him.We spoke to our Vet about that today.To be honest with you there have been tons of people wanting to use our dog to breed with theres.I just find it an honor,would I really do it? I have no idea,maybe just once if he is healthy enough to do so but not for the money just to get a pick of the liter.I would like someday to have another Yorkie puppy but this is years down the road.I also have a Shiba Inu who isn't fixed and he doesn't mark at all inside just outside which is fine with me.I know it is possible that Jasper could mark in the house and I will deal with it when the time comes.Our Chihuahuas are fixed.We really have been talking about this very seriously because we don't take things lightly at all with our furkids.I do know his history and never heard of anything wrong.My Aunt owns his Mom and is best friends with his Dads owner.Both are very very healthy.He has a champioship bloodline and I think when certain people got wind of that,that is when we had people wanting to use him.He is my baby first most and I will make sure he is healthy first if any decision is made.I have three people so far asking to use him.I am honored like I said but my baby is just a baby now and he has a few years before I even think about dealing with that.I guess I was just a little insulted that the lady said he was flawed.My Vet said she just wants to rip you off since you have never done this before.I think he is very cute with his tip of his ear slightly tilted.We decided today if it fixes itself fine but otherwise we are ok with him being that way.We did trim his hair because he was a little hairy in the face.We took him to the groomer today after his Dr. visit and she took him to a back room where it was clean and sterile(she didn't want Jasper near the other dogs since he was so young).She just trimmed around the ears and mouth.I think he could have had a little more off but she said he was very scared and squirmy.Thanks again Breeze for your concerns,I like that a lot

DanicaBraggs · 03-26-2009, 06:50 PM

Oh another reason I would even consider breeding him is because my Aunt is retiring her girls after four years of them having babies.If I ever got another Yorkie it would have been from my aunt but now she doesn't want to put her girls through it anymore.I wanted a half sister or full sibling for Jasper in a few years to grow up with but my Aunt said she just doesn't think her girls should have to do it anymore so when I was approached about using Jasper as a stud it crossed my mind that instead of money maybe they would let me have a pick of the liter.In a few years we wanted to add to our family.I think that would be our only reason to breed him.Like I said though we are taking every percaution first.

03-24-2009, 08:32 AM	#1
DanicaBraggs Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Decatur Illinois USA Posts: 134	Jaspers Ears Ok last Tuesday we were at Puppy class and a lady who has a little female yorkie named Megan told me I needed to fix Jaspers left ear.He is now 12 wks. old by the way.Anyway his left ear slightly has a bend to it.The other ear sticks up fine.I just thought it would fix itself,I don't know much about this stuff.Well she said I needed to get this certain type of tape and would have to tape both ears.I am no expert on this stuff at all.Jasper goes to see the Vet on Thursday for more of his shots.Would he be the one I should ask about his ears or what?To me Jasper is cute just the way he is but obviously he is flawed because of this.I mean that is the way the lady put it.I have AKC papers on him and he has relatives that were in Dog shows and did other things.His Great Grandfather won first place in some well known Dog competition.My Aunt who has the history on Jasper said he comes from a really good line.That was good enough for me I just wanted a healthy puppy that my kids could grow up with.My oldest now though wants to put him in local dog shows and this lady said he wouldn't get in with his ear being that way.She also said and this is because she wants Megan and him to breed.She said I will get less in the stud fee because he has a flaw.I have another person Tammy who wants to use Jasper for her Marybelle and she never said anything about Jasper being flawed.I have papers on him he is healthy.His teeth look good and we will never miss a Vet apointment so health should not be a problem.I mean the big deal is the ear.What do you think?Is this a big deal?Does it fix itself or is it too late?At 12 wks. is it possible they just haven't perked up yet?If he does need it fixed has anyone ever had it done?Is it pricey?Or is it something I can do at home? Thanks ahead of time on any input Last edited by DanicaBraggs; 03-24-2009 at 08:35 AM.

03-24-2009, 09:16 AM	#2
melc Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 59	OMG!! Don't do anything to his ear!! Especially if it is just slightly bend. It will fix itself. Sometimes they will go up and down for several months before they stand entirely. Have you trimmed the excess hair off of it so that it isn't heavy? If they are teething sometimes that pulls calcium out of the ear and makes it droop. Maybe add a teaspoon of cottage cheese to his diet. I had a litter of puppies that one of them didn't get her ears up entirely until she was around 14-15 weeks. They are perfect now. Good luck...keep us posted! __________________ Melissa Mommy of Teddy, Ellabee, Annabelle, and Jolly Joy

03-24-2009, 11:56 AM	#4
TeresaM Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX Posts: 3,358	I agree with the others, no need to tape them. Just be sure that the tips are trimmed of all excess hair. Yogi is 7 months old and his still droop some when his hair gets too long on the tips or he's working on a tooth. I use to gently pull Gracie Ruths up and tell her, "Like this Gracie, make your ears do like this." She just looked at me and asked, "Why me? Why did I get the crazy Momma?" Then she'd give me a kiss on the nose and tear off after Boo to play. __________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane

03-26-2009, 04:32 PM	#5
sdnylz Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woodland Park, NJ Posts: 251	my Sasha's ears stood up by itself. __________________ sdnylz and Sasha

03-26-2009, 04:47 PM	#6
Breeze Puppy Luv Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,678	A droopy ear on a 12 week old puppy is not a flaw and very common. You can shave the top half of each ear and usually they will stand, tapeing is normal too and there are many threads on here at YT to tell and show you how. You can find them in search or in the grooming section. That lady just wanted a "cheap' stud or is very uneducated about yorkies. You would not want to stud your yorkie with her dogs ever. I would also recommend not studding your dog out without the proper medical tests done to insure he is a good candidate for breeding. Breeding dogs can also mark all the time needing them to wear belly bands to prevent damage in your house.... There are also many great threads with breeding advice in the breeding forum. Breeding is not to be taken lightly due to the risks and the over pet population, so please think about it carefully. Last edited by Breeze; 03-26-2009 at 04:48 PM. Reason: typos

03-24-2009, 09:22 AM	#3
jeanietoo YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 783	A lot of people do tape their ears but I bred yorkies for 20 years and never taped an ear. I truly don't believe taping does a thing. If you keep the hair shaved off the top half of the ear they will stand if they are meant to. Massaging the ear also helps to increase blood flow

03-26-2009, 04:58 PM	#7
Breeze Puppy Luv Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,678	The health test are more than just a check-up at the vets. Here is a list of tests that need to be done, yorkies are prone to many heritary conditions and you need to make sure if you bred you are not passing them down. You cannot tell whether your dog maybe a carrier unless these tests are done. Previously posted here by Tiggerr3692 and myfairlady: A very careful and thorough physical exam by vet Complete Blood Panel Bile Acid Test Brucellosis Test (every time before breeding) And these are the Health certifications available. It's very impressive to me when a breeder goes further than the basic health testing I mentioned above and gets their dogs certified for any of these things. If I ever decide to show and breed, I'd probably look into most of these for my dogs. Patella and hips cleared & certified by OFA OFA: Patellar Luxation OFA: Patellar Luxation OFA: Hip Dysplasia OFA: Hip Dysplasia OFA: Legg-Calve-Perthes OFA: Legg-Calve-Perthes Eyes checked & cleared & certified by CERF CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation CERF - Canine Eye Registration Foundation Heart checked & cleared & certified by OFA OFA: Cardiac Congenital Disease OFA: Cardiac Congenital Disease Thyroid checked & cleared & certified by OFA OFA: Thyroid OFA: Thyroid Ears checked & cleared & certified by OFA OFA: Deafness OFA: Deafness (personally, I think this probably isn't needed for our breed..) You also want to do research into the pedigrees of the male and female to check for any genetic defects/diseases to __________________ Last edited by Breeze; 03-26-2009 at 05:00 PM.

03-26-2009, 05:05 PM	#8
speleogirl37 ♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,572	Madison's ears are the same, just her right ear is bent. I don't care, it's just so darn cute. I was hoping her ears would stay floppy. I'm just going to let them be what they will be, I will not be doing any taping. Not that I have anything against it, I just want whatever happens too happen. __________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum

03-26-2009, 05:31 PM	#9
DanicaBraggs Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Decatur Illinois USA Posts: 134	Thanks Breeze for your input and Yes we knew about getting a health test done on him.We spoke to our Vet about that today.To be honest with you there have been tons of people wanting to use our dog to breed with theres.I just find it an honor,would I really do it? I have no idea,maybe just once if he is healthy enough to do so but not for the money just to get a pick of the liter.I would like someday to have another Yorkie puppy but this is years down the road.I also have a Shiba Inu who isn't fixed and he doesn't mark at all inside just outside which is fine with me.I know it is possible that Jasper could mark in the house and I will deal with it when the time comes.Our Chihuahuas are fixed.We really have been talking about this very seriously because we don't take things lightly at all with our furkids.I do know his history and never heard of anything wrong.My Aunt owns his Mom and is best friends with his Dads owner.Both are very very healthy.He has a champioship bloodline and I think when certain people got wind of that,that is when we had people wanting to use him.He is my baby first most and I will make sure he is healthy first if any decision is made.I have three people so far asking to use him.I am honored like I said but my baby is just a baby now and he has a few years before I even think about dealing with that.I guess I was just a little insulted that the lady said he was flawed.My Vet said she just wants to rip you off since you have never done this before.I think he is very cute with his tip of his ear slightly tilted.We decided today if it fixes itself fine but otherwise we are ok with him being that way.We did trim his hair because he was a little hairy in the face.We took him to the groomer today after his Dr. visit and she took him to a back room where it was clean and sterile(she didn't want Jasper near the other dogs since he was so young).She just trimmed around the ears and mouth.I think he could have had a little more off but she said he was very scared and squirmy.Thanks again Breeze for your concerns,I like that a lot

03-26-2009, 06:50 PM	#10
DanicaBraggs Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Decatur Illinois USA Posts: 134	Oh another reason I would even consider breeding him is because my Aunt is retiring her girls after four years of them having babies.If I ever got another Yorkie it would have been from my aunt but now she doesn't want to put her girls through it anymore.I wanted a half sister or full sibling for Jasper in a few years to grow up with but my Aunt said she just doesn't think her girls should have to do it anymore so when I was approached about using Jasper as a stud it crossed my mind that instead of money maybe they would let me have a pick of the liter.In a few years we wanted to add to our family.I think that would be our only reason to breed him.Like I said though we are taking every percaution first.