Floppy Ears on 10 month old G. Shepperds.

Question
Problem: Floppy Ears on 10 month old G. Shepperds.

Background information: I bred my pair of G. Sheperds (100% pure, AKC registered).  Max (sire) is a majestic large dog (137lbs) and his father was a championship dog. However, Max did need surgey to get one of his ears up when he was a pup.  One of Max's siblings (owned by my sister) did not raise his ears for sometime until they were taped up for a couple of weeks. Max's parents both were able to get their ears up. The mother of the pups (Stuka) had no problems getting her ears up (she is only 75lbs).  Stuka's parents were both able to get their ears up.

Despite the fact that both sets of granparents and both parents have both ears up, only one (1) of the seven (7) pups was able to get her ears up on her own.  Another female permanently raised one of her ears on her own at 8 months.  The rest have been unable to do the same although they are able to raise their ears on ocassion if something is of interest. I kept a pair of the pups and have had their ears taped up for 2 weeks at a time on 2 ocassions but to no avail. Their ears continue to flop.

Questions: Is there any hope of them raising their ears? What, if anything, can be done? If I were to breed Max & Stuka again is it likely that we will have the same problem or is this a rare ( i.e. recessive gene) or one time fluke. Max is downright stunning (I have never seen a G. Sheperd like him before and would like to breed him again).  I appreciate your help very much. Thank you.  

Answer
hI jORGE

I have on my site on the front page how to get the ears up if this is not genetic which it sounds to me like it is.

Soft ears, teeth, testicles is all genetic when your telling me so many had ear problems, I would certainly not breed this problem further.  Shepherds should not weight over 100 lbs either, read the standard on my site.

When they weigh to much this is alot of cause for health problems.  They are only medium size dogs, not large like most think.  Shepherds carry alot of health issues as many breeds do, many give warrantys that charge alot for their puppies against soft ears, teeth, testicles, heart, etc.

I only give a two year OFA hip warranty because I only charge 800. a pup.  Follow what I have wrote on my home front page and give it a try.

Kind Regards
Patt
WWW.SCHREKNHAUS.COM