First, up, how to glue a Border Collie's ears. Why? Because the breed standard calls for them to be erect or semi-erect.
And here's how to achieve perfect 'rose' ears on a Bulldog. Why would you want them? Because the Kennel Club breed standard stipulates: "Rose ear correct, i.e. folding inwards back, upper or front inner edge curving outwards and backwards, showing part of inside of burr." Problem is, many Bulldogs are born with button (normal) ears.
You can staple them, too (NB: you are not allowed to do this yourself in the UK - stapling is considered a veterinary procedure).
And here's how to achieve the perfect Airedale ear - because the breed standard demands: "V-shaped with a side carriage, small but not out of proportion to size of dog. Top line of folded ear slightly above level of skull. Pendulous ears or ears set too high undesirable."
Now, not even the stapling appears to hurt the puppies so I am not claiming that this is causing the dogs pain (although joining two surfaces together that nature rendered apart is going to cause irritation or infection in some cases). But what do you all reckon?
Are we nuts?
Is it cheating? Or fine to do what we want to dogs as long as it causes no real harm?
And if you don't think we should be doing it, how on earth do you stop it?
Are we nuts?
Is it cheating? Or fine to do what we want to dogs as long as it causes no real harm?
And if you don't think we should be doing it, how on earth do you stop it?