Taping the ears is more irritating than painful. However, if you want the 'Dobie' ear that involves surgery. They cut off part of the ear. Then it gets taped up (as I explained earlier). When they are healing it can be painful, though Chloe didn't seem to notice until she tried running under a dining room chair and hit her ears (the rungs are four inches off the ground and she had already grown to big to do what she was trying to do).
By the way, you can call them Dobies instead of typing out the full name.
I know you are into hiking and outdoor activities. Have you looked at breeds that would enjoy going with you? There are several breeds that flop in the house but are worse than the energizer bunny when on walks, etc.