What can you tell me about a Great Dane

Specifically their ears. My boyfriend and I have researched all about Great Dane behavior, needs, eating and comfort requirements, life spans, the works. We've decided that a Dane is perfect for us so now we have set about the task of choosing our new little (soon to be big) friend but we have one question left to ask before we do. Why do some Great Danes have ears that stand up while others have ears that flop over? Every puppy we have looked at has had floppity ears...which is DARLING for a puppy but when looking at grown-up Danes we prefer the alert, standing ears. So how do we know, when picking out our puppy, if her ears will stand up or be floppity when she grows up? Can looking at her parents tell us for sure? Is it like Mini-Pins and other breeds where you have to massage the ear as a pup to get it to stand up? Please no "guessing" answers. If you're not experienced with Danes please don't bother to answer the question. Experts are highly preferred: vets, breeders etc.

Great Dane ears are naturally floppy. In order to get them to stand up, they have to be cropped. This is a surgical procedure done by veterinarians that consists of trimming the edges off the ear to reshape them. Then they are bandaged in an erect position and taped together. The bandages stay on until the ears will stand erect on their own. This can take several attempts at re-bandaging to work. Sometimes, even after the procedure, the ears may never stand on their own. Many places are now outlawing this practice and many vets will not do it, since it is for cosmetic purposes only.