oh i know that. i used to have Dobermans. Count and Alpha. and my father used to be a vet and breed them and he designed the ears himself. but what i was saying is the original purpose of cutting ears was because of infection casue by having the hang.
I found it now in the offical AKC book (American Kennel Club)
"ears are delicate areas. Ear trouble starts usually from an irritation of the lining inside of the ear. this can be casued by soap, water, ear mites, foreign objects (such as weed seeds), or, by an excess secretion of wax. some owners call this kind of irritation canker, or otorrhea. The affected animal will shake it's head, scratch, hold the affected ear down, show evidence of pain , and usually present an ear which smells offensive, with a pasty, dark-colored discharge. treatment of a well established case is difficult, and response is slow.
never wash the ears with water, alcohol, or peroxide. Unless used for a specific purpose by your veterinarian, they may further increase irritation.
Dogs with lop ears or hair-filled ear canals are predisposed to more ear troubles that those with erect ears. because beter circulation of air is possiable, open ears dry out better than do covered ears. In severe or chronic ear infections, a surgical procedure may be preformed which will open the ear canal and allow it to drain and dry. Some cases heal quickly following such hurgery. Professional advice should be sought if there is evidence of pain."