Docking, ear cropping?

• Docking, ear cropping? Kali Barlendokk Posted : 11/7/2006 2:24:34 PM I'm considering getting a Doberman in a few months. All the Dobermans I've met have all had their ears cropped and look in perfect 'show-shape'. Do all Dobermans who show need this done? Or Dobermans in general? What do you think? (or other dogs). LIKE 51 REPLIES 2698 VIEWS LAST POST LAURELIN_429 Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• pamdb Posted : 11/7/2006 2:28:15 PM Neither one of our dogs are Dobs-we have lab/pit/boxer and lab/border collie mixes but I have to say nothing says "I love you"  and "I'm happy" like a wagging tail.  And I love the feel of nice soft floppy ears. Just my opinion. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• houndlove Posted : 11/7/2006 2:35:44 PM Check your club for whether or not dobies with natural ears/tail can show. I know in the UK cropping is actually illegal for all breeds so all show dogs there are uncropped, but I don't know what CanKC's stance is.   As far as necessary just in general? There's no health reason if that's what you're asking. It is cosmetic, especially on a non-working dog (ie, a dog not doing protection work). 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 11/7/2006 2:36:57 PM If you buy a Doberman from a reputable breeder, it will likely have it's ears, tail, and dewclaws already done. Tails and dews are done at 3 days. Ears are done at 7-9 weeks. You may or may not have a choice on the ears. Posting and taping ears is a lot of work. Aftercare is important, for the correct look, and to prevent infection. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xebby Posted : 11/7/2006 2:55:14 PM I've rarely seen a tapeing/glueing/posting jobs work long term on a dog and don't see the benifit of doing that.  The weight of the ear will eventuly make the ear fold back down and the whole procces will have to be done agean several time throught the dogs life. Croping is more of a personl prefrence in the US but a lot of vets refuse to deal with the ear croping.  If you want it done ask the breeder fist because they should know their breed inside and out and can help guide you to the propper way to have it done and buy who. The worst I've seen are home croping jobs and that I strongly dissagree with.  If your going to have the ears croped only a vet should do it and only a vet who has experance with croping. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 11/7/2006 2:58:08 PM The worst I've seen are home croping jobs and that I strongly dissagree with. If your going to have the ears croped only a vet should do it and only a vet who has experance with croping. OF COURSE! And preferably with someone IN the office, 24 hours a day, to watch them, in case they get to the ears, that night and start bleeding. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mudpuppy Posted : 11/7/2006 3:16:02 PM approximately 50% of Dobes in our area have their beautiful natural ears and the number goes up every year. There is no reason to crop. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Prince_Pride Posted : 11/7/2006 3:16:24 PM Dobermans in general do not need their ears cropped. But if you are planning on getting a show quality pup from a reputable breeder, more than likely it will come cropped. And as far as I know, natural eared Dobes can be shown but it is harder for them to earn their Ch. (at least in the AKC) but I think that is just b/c judges like the cropped "look".    If you are getting a puppy and going to have it cropped it is alot of work to tape and post the ears over and over and over. Here is a site that explains in detail: [linkhttp://dobermanpages.com/TAPING.htm]http://dobermanpages.com/TAPING.htm[/link]   You will want to check with the breeder for more detail on cropping. Some breeders I was looking at did not sell natural eared Dobes unless specifically requested. Others didn't crop ears at all. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• zsrg;lb ksr'pfjsoprej dfsg;va bjpskopa] Posted : 11/7/2006 3:31:00 PM Aside from your kennel club's rules I think its a matter of prefference. Some choose to do it to preserve the breed image and thankfully I've havnt seen many dobies with bad ear crop jobs. I HAVE seen some terrible pit bull crops and that is one of the reason's I didnt have my girl's done. Her mother's were the ugliest crop job I had ever seen adn I thought the risk was just to great. Here dad's were perfect but he posed a completely different image becuase of the way his were done. Overall I'm glad I didnt because they flop around so nicely but I still admire a great crop job. One of Rory's play friends is a beautiful show dobie with intact ears and it really adds to his character, again I think its just a matter of prefference! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• whtsthfrequency Posted : 11/7/2006 5:05:21 PM Personally I have more of an issue with docking, since it is actually removing a function appendage i.e. a limb, in my mind. Cropping is not so bad because it only involves skin, and is less invasive...but I still don't really like it. However, if done by a professional, such operations *shouldnt* be a medical problem - I guess I just reiterate what people have said, it comes down to preference..... 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Stef w Posted : 11/7/2006 5:40:56 PM There's no way you'd get a dobe with an undocked tail - breeders dock the tails within a few days.  They can't leave one puppy undocked on request because they wouldn't know if it was the right puppy for you.  Most breeders seem to match the dogs to the owners or vice versa.   I love the look of cropped ears, but I don't know if I would have a puppy done just for the sake of having them...  It's a lot of work and cropped ears that don't stand look awful.  Plus they look so cute with floppy ears...[]   I'll also say this ... dogs with cropped ears get a different reaction from John Q. Public than uncropped ears.  Something to consider.   Also - there's a dog being shown in the us right now with uncropped ears.  I can't remember the kennel name but one of the breeders I know mentioned her.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Kali Barlendokk Posted : 11/7/2006 9:02:29 PM Thanks, I appreciate the posts~ I personally get shivers whenever I think about cropping/docking. I would feel guilty doing it to any dog, especially my own. I know that if I do get a Dobe (or, when I do, lol) she'll probably have the docked tail but I don't think I'll do the ears. Thanks again =) You guys are an unlimited source of helpful comments! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• stacysmom Posted : 11/7/2006 9:03:35 PM ORIGINAL: pamdb Neither one of our dogs are Dobs-we have lab/pit/boxer and lab/border collie mixes but I have to say nothing says "I love you"  and "I'm happy" like a wagging tail.  And I love the feel of nice soft floppy ears. Just my opinion.   I couldn't agree more.  I love the wagging tail.  Absolutely love it. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Kali Barlendokk Posted : 11/7/2006 9:07:52 PM ORIGINAL: stacysmom I couldn't agree more.  I love the wagging tail.  Absolutely love it. Lol, me three. Only I don't know if I'll be able to get one without the docked tail. I'll have to request pretty early I suppose! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• jennie_c_d Posted : 11/7/2006 9:17:50 PM Check in shelters, though.... I recently found a "beagle mix" in animal control that I found very appealing. She was a natural tailed, natural eared, BYB Dobe. BAD conformation, but the sweetest little girl! And dogs with docked tails DO wag and wiggle like crazy. Just ask any Cocker Spaniel, or ask EMMA[] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login