18 Month Old Kelpie With One Floppy Ear.

[Maffra]

My 18 month old Red and Tan kelpie has one floppy ear,The good one has been always pricked from about 3 months. Have tried all types of taping to no avail. Been to a vet who said nothing pHysically wrong with ear,Both his parents and brothers also have erect ears ,Sometimes it may stay up for about a minute but then flops down.Have had Kelpies all my life and have never had this problem before.

Would appreciate any new advice. Getting to the stage that am considering having a Vet inserting a stiffener, just so my Grandkids might stop calling him LadyBoy.

Edited December 11, 2014 by Maffra

[Kavik]

Some Kelpies just have floppy ears :) . I know several who have floppy ears, they are related, soft ears are genetic. Breeders of working line dogs value their working ability above ear carriage, so some lines of working Kelpies have floppy/soft ears. If his ear is not standing up now at 18 months, it won't stand up. It won't make him any less of a Kelpie, will give him character :)

Edited December 11, 2014 by Kavik

[persephone]

Lots of dogs have one or both floppy ears :) As long as he is healthy and happy , why interfere?

[bianca.a]

I have a GSD who has both ears down (3 out of a litter of 9 have soft ears) and yup unfortunately at 18 months it's too late. I got used to hearing "what is she crossed with?"

[BC Crazy]

Yes, I have a gorgeous BC girl who has 1 flat ear & the other is perfect. Just like an envelope as they should be.

When she was young & her little ear didn't come up I was going to try & correct but I'm so glad I didn't as they so suit her. She's a very quirky girl so her "different" ears fit right in.

Unless you plan to show him. I would just leave them. Why mess with cute imo ????

Edited December 11, 2014 by BC Crazy

[superminty]

My 18 month old kelpie has one floppy ear too. It will stand upright for a short period, then flop! Down it goes. Means people can tell her apart from all the other black and tan kelpies ;-)

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

My cattle dog x - only has upright ears when she's facing into the wind. Looks good then.

Sometimes I wonder if putting some botox in the crease would fix them up but I'd never do that to her. Cosmetic surgery on a dog just seems wrong.

[Guest Clover]

It is only cosmetic, no use trying to "fix" the dog. 2 of my 3 Border Collies have odd ears, it adds character.

[Chequeredblackdog]

I love odd ears...... I think they're gorgeous. And as other have said, add character (and make telling which one is yours easy!)

[poochmad]

I agree with the character comments. I think he would look cute with ears like that. :)

[skip]

Ladyboy ☺????????????

[Maffra]

Thankyou all for your replies,All your answers are what I have now come to accept,he is still a beautiful dog,just have to get used to "Whats wrong with his ear ?". Its much the same as having a one blue eyed dog that I once had.A great forum I've found. All have a great Christmas & Safe & Healthy 2015.

[persephone]

Thank you, maffra - if folks ask - say 'nothing- it's his style ' :)

[juice]

My BT has floppy ears, makes her look more dopey, my last one had them too.

when I wanted this girl the breeder did say she had floppy ears and I was pleased :laugh:

[Tassie]

My first dog as an adult was a 1U1D eared BCxKelpie. Like everyone else here - I liked the way she was - part of her character - and when both ears would stand up (wind assisted) she actually looked a different dog - and not so cute.

You and your boy will have lots of fun together. :D

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

if folks ask - say 'nothing- it's his style '

aw c'mon - every dumb question deserves a creative answer....

when he was a puppy, a goanna bit it, and the vet managed to reattach but it won't stand up any more...

[Kirislin]

I have a friend with a little dog with odd ears. It's Iggy Mums Peanut. She is loved regardless.

Peanut by kirislin, on Flickr

[Nekhbet]

He's finished growing in that respect so don't bother. You've missed the mark for taping that has to be done from 8 weeks of age consistently not just holding the hear itself vertical but stiffening around the base so it has the strength to hold it up. Give your grandkids a clip around the ear for being disrespectful ;) problem solved.

My bitches ears never stood straight up either. I tried taping for a bit, OH said he didn't want me to keep doing it so we have a Womble. Never diminished her working capacity or affected her in any way so oh well, she's just special :D

[Guest Clover]

Photo 1 - 2013-09-16 by clover_elvis, on Flickr

And my pack of odd balls, odd ears, odd eyes and an odd JRT ;).

[bianca.a]

Nekhbet she is beautiful!

My contribution!!!!