Miniature Schnauzer ears

Question
My family wants to buy a mini schnauzer (we had a very beloved one but she died two months ago).  We don't want to crop our dogs ears.  I have seen two general shapes for ears in this breed.  A very short kind, like a "v" when you see the animal from the front of the skull, merely making it to the eyes level. The pics at very serious (official) breeders show puppies with longer ears as examples as an overwhelming majority.  So, is this sort of uncropped ear a normal variety, a defect, something to be expected only in adults, or the result of some special cropping procedure?  Thanks for your answer

Answer
Hi Antonio-

I have come to find that puppies often grow into their ears :)

The AKC standard for uncropped ears on a minature schnauzer calls for "half hung" V shaped ears that ride high and fold close to the skull. They should not airplane out to the side, or hang like a hounds, or prick up.

Puppies are born with big feet, big ears, big skin and big hearts. They tend to grow into all of them, and you may find that most if not all of the show puppies you were looking at actually become perfectly fit to the standard as they grow and their ears tighten.

Also, remember that the "serious" breeders that you mentioned are the RESPONSIBLE breeders- the ones dedicated to the standard. If you are going to buy a puppy, make sure you go with one of these working kennels that shows their dogs, participates in all breed relative health screenings, and screens YOU just as carefully as you screen them! It will ALL be worth it in the end when you have a healthy happy dog and are saving thousands on vet bills over the poor puppy mill dog that is on deaths door.

Good luck finding the perfect puppy!