Saturday, May 16, 2009

Ears


Cardigan Welsh Corgis have big ears that they mostly carry upright. One of the most endearing things about Erika's pup, Bonnie, is how she flattens her ears back when she greets someone she likes.

Leda says Darby comes from a long line of big eared Cardigans.

Right now, it seems Darby is working on making her ears stand upright like they should, but only the left ear seems to be cooperating.

Leda tells me that if they aren't upright by next week, they should be taped to help train them into their correct place.

Eeeek!

Leda sent me the link to a website that shows how to tape ears. But what if I mess them up?? I think I'm going to try again to track down a local breeder to get some help!

2 comments:

Sammy said...

Hi Darby,

My human has sent the information below to help with the ears (if necessary). She says from the picture that they are starting to come up and not to worry to much about taping. Since your human already knows how cardigan ears should look, she shouldn't have too much trouble.



First step: I cut two small pieces of tape for the inside of each ear. I press them in fairly hard so they stick (if she has a lot of inner ear hair, you can remove some so the tape sticks better).

Second step. I cut two pieces that are long enough and will go from the middle of the inside of her ear, around the back of the ear to the middle of the inside of her ear. When applying this piece, I start in the middle of the tape already in place and go out about an 1/8 of an inch beyond the edge of ear, bring it around the back of her ear, leaving another 1/8 inch beyond the edge of the ear, pressing it in place and then attach to the middle of the tape that is already in place. The reason for the overhang beyond the edge of the ear, is so that when you remove the tape, the edge of her isn't caught and possibly torn as the tape is removed.

Once both ears have their tape on you need a piece that goes from the middle of one ear to the middle of the other ear. This is where it gets tricky because you have to be sure her ears are in proper placement for the cardigan. Attach one end to the middle of one ear, hold her head and look at the placement, then attach the other end to the other ear. This piece is the bridge, which will help them from flopping to the side.

The final step is to cut a piece long enough to go from the middle of one ear, around the back, across the bridge piece, across the back of the other ear, and then around the front meeting in the middle of the ear.

Look at her again to be sure that the ears appear to be in the proper position. If they still seem a bit floppy, you can cut additional bridge pieces for the front, and the back going from the middle of the ear, across to the middle of the other ear.

Sammy said...

Hi Darby,

In case you don't go to my blog, today is a very sad day. Our sister Holly was in an accident and has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. I am so sad, my human is sad, and Holly's human is devestated. Say a little doggie prayer for Holly.

Your brother Sammy