Cropped ears?

Question

Why do breeders of a breed that is normally cropped insist on cropping the ears rather than leaving it up to the new owners?

No "oh that's cruel and inhumane" replies are necessary. I AM PRO CROP & DOCK !!!

We've had trouble with 2 pups ears because the breeder insisted on cropping the ears early. Apposed to letting us get the ears done and being able to work with them from day 1

JR: breeder cropped the ears, yet let one go to hell, now I have to pay to have the one ear corrected, and the other ear will probably need to be trimmed just so they match. If they are inexperienced with the follow-up care, they are doing more harm than good!

I guess one of my main points is, if I intend to show and buy a pup the breeder claims to have show potential and they screw up the ears, they've taken away that "potential". If I get the ears done and screw them up than that's my own fault!

Answer 1

I'm guessing you are referring to doberman pinschers, so that is what I will base my answer on.

We have always given the choice, and most choose for us to crop before they pick up their puppies. Of course, yes, it does cost more for a pup with cropped ears (cropping in my area runs $350 - $420 now).

We had gotten a top quality pup, and the breeder had the cropping done already, and one ear wasn't turning out so great because scar tissue was drawing the ear. We did have to have it surgically corrected, and yes the other ear had to be re-cropped too!

I have helped rescue, foster and place a few dobermans over the years, and it is difficult to place a natural eared doberman compared to a cropped dobe.

personally, if a breeder doesn't have much experience dealing with an entire litter of cropped ears, they should either leave it to the new owners to do or make sure you have enough help for the aftercare.

ChOTCHMi: ummm tails are supposed to be done by the breeder before the pups are 3 DAYS old. I would hope you wouldn't have a 3 MONTH old's tail docked!

I do not have my dogs cropped to make them look TOUGH just as my son was not circumsized just to make him tough either.

Answer 2

I have a Great Dane, a breed that may have its ears cropped though its really not all that common any more. Firstly I'd like to say that it is very hard to find a vet that will crop ears where I live. I personally wouldn't crop my danes ears just because I like the natural look better on danes. I do like it on dobermans though. What most people fail to recognize is that even if you have it done by a well trained individual, its a two way street. The after care is all up to you. If you don't tape the ears correctly or clean them properly, it can be very painful for the dog and could end up jepordizing the look of the ears. Most people also don't know that ear cropping shouldn't be done after 10 weeks of age. After this the nerves have developed too much and it will cause the dog a great amount of pain. If you chose to get your dogs ears cropped, ask to see a portfolio of previously cropped ears. I've seen some pretty wonky looking ears on danes.

Answer 3

It depends on how long the breeder is going to keep the pups with the mom. If they are keeping them until they are a little older to allow for more socialization (which is good) the ears need to be cropped at 8-12 weeks. Older than that and they can not be done. Tails are done at about 3 days old. Same time as dew claws are removed.
The breeder has this done to the whole litter of pups.
I would not dock a tail if the person had already picked out and paid for the pup if that is what they wanted. Most people want the tail docked.
The ears I have never cropped but I do not comformation show my dobermans so to me it does not matter. It is a personal choice of the person who owns the dog. It is expensive to have done and takes alot of really good after care to get nice standing ears. Most of the breeders here at least do not crop the ears and leave it up to the new owner if they want it done.

Answer 4

A reputable breeder of a breed that is normally cropped or docked should know how to care for the pups after this procedure is done (unless they are anti-cropping and docking, and do not have it done to any of their animals). This is the only answer. They should not leave it up to the owner, as there can be additional complications arising from these procedures as the pups are older. Additionally, they must take into consideration that not all people who purchase animals from them and who would want those animals cropped or docked have the experience to properly provide follow-up care. So the only real solution is that any reputable breeder of these breeds MUST know the proper care themselves. Alternately, if you want to use a particular breeder and know from which litter you will select a puppy, perhaps it would be possible for you to select your puppy from that litter before the breeder plans to do the procedure and request that the animal be kept intact so the procedure can be done to your specifications and so that you can provide the follow-up care.

Answer 5

Well, I am a show dog handler, and I understand the AKC Breed Standards. But I cannot stand cropping and docking. It is useless these days. People just want their dogs to look tough, so they crop the ears. But tail-docking should ne reserved solely for dogs that live in the field, meaning, they are out there all day. Then it makes sense. But I think it is just a terrible act.
I chose NOT to have my Aussie's tail docked, even though the breeder was not happy.
Yes, it should, if it is to be done, be done at NO LESS than 3 days old.

Altering a dog's natural body just for looks is completely stupid and useless.

To PAM-What I meant was, I chose NOT to have my Aussie's tail docked as I am against it. I can see now how it would read wrong. Sorry:)

Answer 6

If your PRO CROP & DOCK, it is obvious the breeder must be too.

Personally, and everyone is entitled to an opinion, it is cruel. If the dog had an opionion, it would keep its natural ears. Half the time, if the ears aren't taped properly the ears flop anyway and look ridiculous!

Europe is banning cropping, hopefully the U.S. will follow in its footsteps.

Answer 7

It is a very painful cosmetic surgery but I think (I hope) that the breeders do it to make sure it is done earlier in life verses later when there may be more complications. Often breeders don't follow the progress of their litter but want to make sure it is shown with the attributes it should for people to come back for others. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. and the other adage proof is in the product. They want them seen what they consider the right way to sell more.

I will add there is nothing like playing with floppy eared dogs.

Added:
Well now you concern me on why you would give money to a sh*tty breeder for him to breed more and screw up more dogs??

I don't like cropped ears they remind me of Grace Jones. Hard and rough girls like floppy and fluffy that we can run our finger on.

I hope your dogs are okay and another example that even though you think it may be a good breeder its really not.

Answer 8

I raised min pins for about 5 years and never had the ears cropped. My vet said they should not be done until 3 months and our are sold at about 8-10 weeks. I have heard of breeders who do them at about 2 weeks. I think that is way too young! Another reason we do not have our dogs ears done is because it is quite painful for them and I have seen it change their personality very much.

Answer 9

A breeder wants to make sure their dogs are conforming to the breed standard. It shows they actually want their dogs to be of high, show quality. To do otherwise shows they don't care about the dog's breed standard.

Answer 10

My Bouvier is intact I insisted, you have to contact the Breeder early enough or your right they seem to follow the AKC description of the breed.