SearchRepost or move on
This is our 6 mo. old Beckham; we got him 2 1/2 weeks ago. Our breeder had done some retaping of the ears as she wasn't completely happy with them. She had told us it was up to us if we wanted to continue or not. Having no experience with this before, we haven't done anything...other than lovingly massage them all the time...
Most of the time they are in a horizontal position; however, when Beck is on alert they go up, albeit the one ear seems a little lazier. I find them kind of endearing and they're great mood indicators, but my husband is leaning towards reposting. Not sure if we need to bother at this point. He's kind of feeling like we have a dobe that looks a little more (cover your dobe's ears...) 'muttish'.... 
Worth it or not?
I think Beck is one of the most handsome dobes around.. His expression is just so soulful and endearing.. I would repost. But that's easy for me to say, I've never been through the experience.. there are so many people here that will help you though.. give it a go..
Great pictures! Are you a photographer? I would at least try to get them to stand up a little straighter. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't matter He is just SO handsome!
Thanks for the feedback everyone!~ Glad there weren't any wishy washy answers, this is the kind of feedback I was looking for!
@Fitzmar: Thanks for definate yes! After seeing your gorgeous brood, I think you know your stuff!! 
@Lady Kate: Thanks for support! I have a video sent by the breeder so we'll go ahead and give it a go (I'm really starting to think you're an invaluable part of this forum! Thanks for always being there!) 
@HarleyBear: A photographer in my dreams maybe...but no, I have a great quality camera and like to play. Sometimes I luck out with the results! 
And thanks for the positive feedback on our issue!!
Now to get the supplies in order!
Beck is a gorgeous dobe. He looks so healthy and shiny and all that good stuff. What are you feeding him? Personally, I love his ears half-mast, but I'm betting that he would look stunning if they stood straight, too. I can only hope that Tayoh will grow up and look that good.
Oh thanks Tayoh and Co.!! I can't take all the credit though; we just welcomed him into our hearts, and home, a few weeks ago. We do feed him Taste of the Wild (Bison) though...
He gets his food supplemented with a tablespoon of regular hamburger & veggies. This is what the breeder was doing so we continue it. The notes that came with him said:
cook regular hamburger with carrots & vegetables, freeze it in small containers, and add a tablespoon of this to puppy's food. It's not necessary, but it gives the growing pups the maximum of fuel.
She also wrote in the notes that as dobermans are prone to storing copper in their liver, it can cause Chronic Active Hepatitis (sorry for the memories Lady Kate). You can reduce this risk by giving your adult dog (18 mo. on) a 50 mg tablet of zinc daily in their meal. You can also do a milk thistle purge twice a year.
I'm noticing that with this cold weather and wet rain and snow, that his skin seems to be getting dry in some spots so I'm going to need to address this.
Do you have a countdown on Tayoh's arrival?
That's also what I'm planning on feeding Tayoh. I've read great things on Taste of the Wild. I've never heard of the hamburger thing, though, I'll be trying that. I'm glad you mentioned the copper thing, I'll go buy some zinc tablets asap. Tayoh will be here in 15 days.. ;D
Beck is a very handsome boy with a BEAUTIFUL earcrop. I would DEFINITELY keep taping.
I have a male right now that I taped up until last month and he will be 2 next week. Not saying you will have to or WANT to do anything like that lol just using him as an example that ears can be fixed with proper taping and persistence.
@rnddobermans Thanks for sharing that with me! And for the compliment on his ear crop! There are so many styles and variances on all the photos I've been seeing!
We'll start reposting...and then we'll have to play with the time. I'm reading that when posting people really start adding calcium to their dobes' diets.. and some others will add glucosamine?
So much to learn!!
People that are having problems getting the ears to stand may use glucosamine, but you don't really have a problem other than just not posting. The *only* calcium I'd add would be natural, like a bit of yogurt or cottage cheese daily. You can't just go adding calcium without throwing something else like magnesium or phosporus off.
I've never added calcium - Glengate is right.... a little bit of cottage cheese (spoonful) or yogurt (plain) is fine once a day or a few times a week.
Great advice about the calcium and effects Glengate! Invaluable really! So much of what you read still leaves so many unanswered questions.
I had been wondering about the quantity to feed, so Fitzmar, thanks for the tip!
My husband picked out the cottage cheese I requested, but I think something was lost in translation because he came home with dry curds 
Is this still equivalent of traditional 'wet' cottage cheese?
I've also heard a lot of people giving their dogs raw egg; all breeds, not specifically dobe; anything to that?
Hope everyone is having a good day thus far! Going to have my second cup of coffee and avoid looking outside at the rain
Arggghhhhh! It's not rain, it's snow again.
Is adding 50mg of Zinc daily a good idea?
Good question! What about the milk thistle? Does anyone do this?
As with adding anything, I would consult your vet. When Jake came home from his cropping, Dr. Janey felt his ears were a little weak and would benefit from the addition of calcium. He came home with a bottle of Pet-Cal tablets (one per day per 20 pounds) which have calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, and trace chloride and Magnesium. He really likes them, probably because they also contain some salt.
I don't know about the zinc and never heard about the mild thistle.
Pet Profiles
Definitely repost!