GSD - Soft Ears Should Not Be Bred - Page 1

Dogs with soft ears or dogs that produce offspring with soft ears should not be bred - I don't care how many titles they have!!

I don't want to whine BUT - I bought a female pup from Willie Muller at the Vom Salztalblick kennel in Germany last January (2014). The puppy's pedegree was first class for sport and police work.

It was somewhat (very) difficult dealing with Willie since he speaks no English. I do speak and read and write some German but am not totally fluent. He was very responsive to my inquires until he got my payment ...after that he would respond to maybe one question out of five.....I'd ask several questions in an email and he'd answer one!

The bottom line is that she (my pup) is a very nice dog with excellent prey drive BUT she has one floppy ear that I will not stand! I spent over three months trying everything to get the ears up (gluing inserts, taping, diet,  etc etc etc) with no luck (not to mention lots of expense). Genetically her ears are very very soft....her "super" bloodlines should never have been bred.

I contacted Willie and he didn't want to hear about it...implying that it was MY fault.

Willie & Salztalblick breeds tons of dogs every year. The reason he uses three kennel names:

• vom Salztalblick
• von der Salztal-Höhe
• vom Haus Salztalblick

is because in Germany each Kennel can only produce a limited amount of litters per year....so one kennel belongs to his wife and the other to his son....getting around the law/restriction in Germany.

Buying a dog from him is an expensive crap shoot and you get NO support or health guarantee.

Disappointed in Austin Texas

Up front... My question sounds much meaner than intented.  I am truly trying to learn.

Other than for confirmation showing, what difference does the ear make?  Does it impact the dogs ability to do sport or police work?

Hi Cowboy,

I will start by saying I personally do not approve of trying various methods to help ears of a GSD puppy stand, also a inexperienced owner might hurt the ears in the process, they either stand by themselves or they don't. I know how you feel and assuming all you said is precise, owners of this kennel should be ashamed of themselves not treating you right and not standing behind their puppies. I suggest you post the pedigree of the puppy for people to know where the genetics of this fault come from.

Ibrahim

Fawndallas,

GSD standard faults floppy/soft ears. A breeder should be honest and nice enough to replace/compensate when his puppy turns out faulty or unhealthy.

Ibrahim

Is soft ears considered unhealthy or just a fault?   (by the way, nice to hear from you Ibrahim.  You are in our prayers)  Will a soft eared GSD have other health issues that need to be watched for?

Hi fawndallas and thank you, I don't think it's a health issue, no. But it is a fault. It may not affect work ability, but bottom line here is a breeder should not turn his back after sale is done and not respond to his puppy new owner and when there is a fault, especially genetic one, the breeder should be the most interested one to investigate and learn of his dogs genetic minuses. A honest and nice breeder would compensate or replace such a puppy and should respond to his mail. I went through similar situation and know what Cowboy feels right now. Sorry if I was a bit carried away here.

Ibrahim

aha and I should provide and stress that I am assuming Cowboy is telling the whole truth, this Salztalblick is a fammous kennel and would be a shame if what Cowboy says is true.

I feel the same strong ears are important to the breed and if the dogs ear was not injured in some way then yes a breeder should stand behind what they produce and offer you a replacement or a cash refund.

I would love to ad one more point Cowboy, I don't think an experienced and well known breeder like Salztalblick would breed dogs who themselves have soft/ floppy ears. Dogs with very well standing ears might produce a few soft ears over several breedings, a breeder might feel the dogs are excellent producers in all major and important traits and would be a loss if they were eliminated from his breeding program.

But when a puppy out of these dogs turns out to have soft ears, breeder should not deny proper compensation.

Ibrahim

Soft floppy ears are a health concern.  They are more prone to ear infections and hematomas from shaking them.  Especially on working dogs that can be expected to be out working in the rain or tracking in high wet vegetation. 

Moisture will get into the ear canal and be trapped with the ear folded over and will not be able to breath to remove the moisture.