Question about dealing with the breeder and ears

[rcase]

My GSD is 8 months and his ears don't look like they will go up. The right stands up when he's alert, but flops over otherwise. The left is still bent over. They were up and down before and after teething, so I am not sure what has happened. I wrote the breeder about all of this and she thinks that she can fix it. I am going to try, but I don't know what will happen.

My question is this. What is appropriate to ask of the breeder when the dog's ears don't go up? While I didn't intend to show the dog, I paid A LOT for this dog and really thought that the ears would go up. Should I ask for a refund? A new dog? There was no contract, so I am really asking what is appropriate.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by rcase

My GSD is 8 months and his ears don't look like they will go up....snip...
My question is this. What is appropriate to ask of the breeder when the dog's ears don't go up? While I didn't intend to show the dog, I paid A LOT for this dog and really thought that the ears would go up. Should I ask for a refund? A new dog? There was no contract, so I am really asking what is appropriate.

Nothing wrong with asking the breeder if they know how to tape the dogs ears, or if the sire and dam might have been late bloomers in the ear department...but unless you bought the dog as show quality really, what can you do? It's not the breeders fault the dogs ears aren't up and it's not a health issue, it's just cosmetic.

Would you really get rid of your 8 month old puppy because it's ears didn't stand up?

[Castlemaid]

You would send your dog back because one ear didn't stand? Really??? Wow!

[Lucy Dog]

Just tape the ears and hope for the best. It may be a little late right now at 8 months, but it's worth a shot. Without a contract, I highly doubt you will get a refund for something like ears not standing.

Here's a good website explaining what to do: Leerburg | Taping German Shepherds Ears

[Lesley1905]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

You would send your dog back because one ear didn't stand? Really??? Wow!

[SchDDR]

No contract = no recourse, generally.

8 months is a bit late to tape, but stranger things have happened. It certainly won't harm the dog to give it a try.

I must say that I, like the other posters, am a bit surprised at the idea of taking a dog back over a cosmetic issue like soft ears. I can appreciate being upset and wanting your money back, but isn't the dog a member of your family? His worth as a companion isn't affected one bit by a floppy ear, and I cannot imagine you purchased him as a competition or breeding dog without a contract.

[Heagler870]

Well technically a good breeder should offer a new dog even if there is no contract. Well that is just my opinion anyways. When I found out my first dog Marshall had a large heart murmur I called the breeder to let them know. They offered me a new dog but I told her "no." There was no way I could have gave up the love of my life.

[elisabeth_00117]

Send back a dog that you have had since it was a wee puppy because it has floppy ears?

Please tell me that I am reading that wrong.. please, please, please.

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by Heagler870

Well technically a good breeder should offer a new dog even if there is no contract. Well that is just my opinion anyways. When I found out my first dog Marshall had a large heart murmur I called the breeder to let them know. They offered me a new dog but I told her "no." There was no way I could have gave up the love of my life.

I get what you're saying, but a puppy with a floppy ear and a puppy with a heart murmur are two very different things.

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

I get what you're saying, but a puppy with a floppy ear and a puppy with a heart murmur are two very different things.

Agreed.