How to Make Doberman Ears Stand Up without Cropping

A Doberman’s natural ears fold over and hang. The upright look most people picture comes from ear cropping, a surgery that the AKC breed standard still describes as normal for show Dobermans: “Ears normally cropped and carried erect.”

Cropping removes healthy tissue and is painful for puppies, so many owners now leave the ears natural. Be realistic, though: uncropped Doberman ears are built to hang, and no method reliably makes them stand.

Below, we cover what owners try, what can help, and what to skip.

Ways to Make Doberman Ears Stand Up Without Cropping

Taping and Splinting Your Doberman Ears

Taping and splinting are non-invasive methods that some Doberman owners use to encourage their dogs’ ears to stand up naturally without ear cropping.

Taping is mostly used to train cropped ears to stand while they heal. On uncropped ears, results are limited and depend largely on genetics. Ask your vet before you start, and never tape ears that are sore, red or infected. It’s essential to approach this process carefully and patiently, as each dog’s ears may respond differently to these methods. The following is a simple guide:

Gather Materials

• A soft, breathable medical tape like a surgical cloth or a specialized Doberman ear-taping tape.
• Soft foam or cushioning material to support your Doberman ears. It also maintains the desired shape.

Assess Your Dog’s Ear

Evaluate your Doberman’s ear shape, size, and current condition. Make sure the ears are clean and free from any infection or irritation.

Prepare the Materials

Cut the tape into manageable strips, and prepare the foam inserts by cutting them into the desired shape. The foam inserts should be long enough to cover the ear from the base to the tip and wide enough to provide gentle support without causing discomfort.

Gently Massage the Doberman Ears

To help your dog relax before taping, gently massage the base of the ears for a few minutes.

Attach the Foam Inserts

Place the foam supports along the inside of the ear flap to support the ear’s standing position. Never push anything down into the ear canal, and make sure the supports don’t cause any discomfort.

Tape the Doberman Ears

Wrap the tape from the base of the ear, around the ear, and the foam insert. Wrap it lightly but securely to avoid cutting off circulation or causing irritation.

Shape the Ear

Shape the ear by gently folding it upward into its desired position as you wrap the tape. Be cautious and gentle to avoid any discomfort for your Doberman. Leave small gaps between the tape to allow for ventilation and avoid trapping moisture, which could lead to infection.

Monitor and Adjust

Check your Doberman’s ears every day to ensure they aren’t irritated or experiencing any issues. Remove the taping immediately if you notice discomfort, redness, or irritation. Be patient and consistent, as each dog’s ears develop at their own pace, so taping and splinting the ears can take several months to show noticeable results.

As the Doberman ears stand, gradually reduce the tape and support used and ensure the ears maintain their desired position.

Exercises and Games

Exercises and games won’t make a Doberman’s ears stand up, because genetics and cartilage structure determine ear carriage. Play still has value: it keeps your dog fit and engaged, and an alert dog will lift its ears briefly.

Here are some activities owners often try, and what they can realistically do:

Tug-of-War

Tug is a fun outlet for energy, but it won’t change ear shape. Use a strong, durable tug toy to engage your dog in a friendly tug-of-war match.

Obedience Training

Incorporating obedience training into your Doberman’s routine can help stimulate their mental and physical faculties. It builds good habits and focus, though it won’t affect how the ears are carried.

Ear Massage

A gentle ear massage is a pleasant way to bond and to get your dog used to ear handling for cleaning and vet exams. It won’t strengthen the cartilage.

Tactile Games

Games that involve touching your dog’s ears can be beneficial. For instance, you can play a game where you gently touch or hold your dog’s ears for short periods, gradually increasing the time as your dog becomes more comfortable. Such games can help familiarize your dog with ear manipulation, which may assist in ear training.

Expose Your Pet to New Sounds

Introduce your pet to many noises like doorbells, car horns, or even your voice calling its name enthusiastically. Your dog may raise its ears briefly when alert, but this won’t train them to stay up.

Fetch and Retrieve

Games of fetch can engage your Doberman’s whole body, including its ears. The excitement of chasing after a toy and bringing it to you may naturally encourage it to raise its ears in anticipation.

Allowing your Doberman to socialize with other pets in a safe and controlled environment can be an excellent way to keep them active and engaged. Interactions with other dogs are mentally and physically stimulating, and they may react by raising their ears when playing or communicating with other dogs.

Dietary Supplements

Good nutrition supports healthy growth, but no supplement makes ears stand. Feed a complete and balanced puppy food made for large breeds.

Don’t add calcium on your own. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that adding calcium, phosphorus or vitamin D beyond what a complete growth diet provides is rarely necessary and may be harmful.

Fish oil, collagen and biotin are sometimes marketed for joints or coat, but there’s no good evidence they affect ear carriage. Speak with your veterinarian before adding any supplement.

Why Should Your Doberman Have Upright Ears?

One of the reasons for upright Doberman ears is to enhance their alert appearance, which aligns with their role as guard dogs and protectors. Further, some perceive that standing ears make a Doberman appear more intimidating, which can deter potential intruders.

Some owners also believe upright ears are less likely to get snagged or bitten, though there’s little evidence for this.

To make the floppy ears of a Doberman puppy stand up, some owners go for surgical ear cropping while their Doberman is a young puppy. A veterinarian trims and reshapes the floppy portion of the puppy’s ears, leaving a portion of the ear standing erect to form cropped ears.

Some breeders and owners crop Doberman ears to meet the standards in their regions or kennel clubs. Proponents of ear cropping also argue that it can reduce the risk of ear infections and related health issues. They claim that removing the floppy part through ear cropping ensures better air circulation, though there’s little evidence that cropping prevents ear infections.

Nonetheless, ear cropping is the subject of debate and controversy, as it involves the removal of healthy tissue and can be painful to puppies.

Some regions even ban or regulate ear cropping. The healing process after ear cropping is also not the best experience for puppies, and Doberman owners don’t want to see their pets in such pain. Hence, it’s better to use alternative methods to make Doberman ears stand or leave them in their natural floppy shape.

Conclusion

Ear cropping is painful for puppies, which is why many owners now skip it. Without cropping, most Doberman ears hang naturally, and that’s perfectly healthy.

Taping may help a little in some dogs, but talk to your vet first. Exercises, massage and supplements won’t make ears stand, and extra calcium can harm a growing puppy. Natural, floppy ears are normal for the breed.

FAQs

Does nutrition play a role in ear standing in Dobermans?

A balanced diet supports normal growth, but it won’t make naturally hanging ears stand. Avoid extra calcium supplements unless your vet recommends them.

At what age should I expect my Doberman’s ears to stand up naturally, if possible?

Most uncropped Doberman ears never stand fully, since the breed’s natural ear hangs. Ask your vet or breeder what to expect for your puppy.

Is ear taping guaranteed to make a Doberman’s ears stand up?

No, there are no guarantees with your dog’s ear taping. The success of this method varies from dog to dog.

Sources

• Official Standard of the Doberman Pinscher, American Kennel Club
• Feeding Practices in Small Animals, Merck Veterinary Manual
• Taping: Folding the Ears, Doberman Pinscher Club of America