To Crop or not to Crop?

Question

I am getting a doberman puppy this summer and i am trying to decide whether to have his ears cropped or not. I have owned Dobermans and they have all had cropped ears which i think looks very elegant and regal. although it can be expensive and very cosmetic. not to mention painful to the puppy. My husband doesn't really care..i am torn...I would love to get personal opinons and and pictures you can share! Thank you...serious answers only!!!!!!

Answer 1

I think you should go with what you like.
I think both are beautiful, when you get the puppy look at its face, and point its ears up and see what you think. Personally I have had all mine done except 1. This is him, hes my baby!

http://myspace.com/hammerlovesbacon

If you think its painful, or unhumane, just look at my posting, the tree huggers and PETA members wont like it though.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap1p8K5GL5i6Eh7V10IVJtLsy6IX?qid=20070616002246AAFqILI

Answer 2

Doberman Pinschers will often have their ears cropped, a procedure that is functionally related to both the traditional guard duty and to effective sound localization. Doberman Pinscher ear cropping is usually done between 7 and 9 weeks of age. Cropping done after 12 weeks has a low rate of success in getting the ears to stand. Some Doberman Pinscher owners prefer not to have their pet's ears cropped because the procedure is painful for the animal. The process involves trimming off part of the animal's ears and propping them up with posts and tape bandages, which allows the cartilage to develop into an upright position as the puppy grows. The puppy will still have the ability to lay the ears back or down. The process of posting the ears generally takes about a month, but longer show crops can take several months.
After the initial surgery has been done, the ears are taped. Ear taping uses posts to keep the ears straight in the upright position, allowing them to grow and strengthen the cartilage. There are many variables involved such as crop size, infection, healing, post choice, tape choice, time, etc.
The traditional Doberman has always been the one that has had both tail and ears cropped. In some countries, docking and cropping are now illegal, but in some breed shows Doberman Pinschers are allowed to compete with either cropped or uncropped ears.

Answer 3

Sometimes I think cropping is harder on the owner. It is a lot of hassle to go through with the puppy, especially if the ears don't stand for awhile. Always having a rack on can be annoying. as some pups enjoy messing with them. People get pierced ears so I expect it is about the same but more exaggerated for the pup. I prefer the look of the cropped ears. It makes them look so elegant and watchful. This is the sweetest breed i know of. Up or down, nothing beats this breed.Mmm

Answer 4

I just bought a schnauzer this weekend. The first thing my husband and I decided was NOT to crop the ears for several reasons.
1. Cropping is done just because someone, somewhere decided they should be cropped.
2. It could get infected.
3. Any time anyone, animal or people, go under anesthesia there is a risk of death.
4. He's just too dern cute with his ears floppy!

It is really based on personal preference. You aren't horrible if you do, and you're not awesome if you don't. So don't agonize over it. There are lots of choices that will dramatically impact your life a whole lot more than this one.

Answer 5

This is really a matter of opinion. I personally would do everything possible to not crop their ears, but if you like it, then its your decision.
I don't like this practice because its just not how the dogs are supposed to be. Its completely artificial, and I happen to like ears and tails on dogs. This will set your dog apart from all of the other dobermans out there, because he will have those adorable ears that most Dobermans don't have. Also, I am sure that it is very painful to the puppy. This is just my opinion, but I really wouldn't do it.
Good luck!

Answer 6

With cropping, you like a vet no longer purely experienced with cropping yet with cropping your particular breed. enable the vet to lead you! you would be asked, probably, no rely in case you like a teach or puppy crop... the puppy crop is slightly shorter and is greater genuinely and at as quickly as knowledgeable to stand... a teach crop seems super, yet is so a lot greater after look after a a lot longer volume of time. while you are going to crop, be certain you're committed to doing what's had to make the ears look super! a great vet would have the two an inventive eye and scientific wisdom... he will look at your domestic dog's head, and "see" what's going to look good on him as an grownup... he would ask you to hold photographs of your domestic dog's father and mom... he will additionally understand what isn't a great concept -- in the adventure that your domestic dog's ears are too thick, he inform you that the ears may well be too heavy to stand exact in case you have a teach crop accomplished. an incredible sort of what can and could be accomplished be counted on the domestic dog's ears! discover the impressive vet (call boxer breeders!), and hear his suggestion! ***further*** hiya, TYRA DOBE! i'm a Doberman individual, additionally, and this tree hugging hippy needs you to understand that no longer all tree hugging hippies are animal activists! LOL! they are cropped and docked and belongings that I very own... does not save 'em from hogging the mattress! i'm sorry on your ARista woes down there... i'm hoping it quite is a protracted time in the previous we interior the U.S. are interior the comparable boat with ears and tails... i unquestionably wish it quite is rarely, yet it quite is perhaps unrealistic.

Answer 7

If you are just wanting one for a pet i wouldn't put the puppy through the painful experience. They are very cute with their ears flopped over as well. However most people recognize a doberman by its cropped ears.

Answer 8

I have a boxer and we chose not to crop his ears and we are SO happy with our decision..everyone else comments on how cute he looks and it really fits his personality better. If you are not showing the puppy, I saw leave them not cropped. Here is a link to my dog (I also think it keeps him looking like a puppy and brightens your day). These pics are a little old from his puppy days. Hope this helps. If you do do it, do is asap. I was told after 10 wks, they can fall and not stay properly, which means more surgery, more pain

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/milkmony7/album/576460762331811775/photo/294928803464808896/0

Answer 9

I have a Great Dane and we got his ears cropped. I personally think it looks better. But I know a lot of people don't like it. We had a hard time finding a vet that would do it too. I personally think it's the way to go. It's what you think would be best for your dog. Good luck.

Answer 10

I vote that you keep the dog's ears natural. Floppy ears are beautiful and since your dog is not for show, there is no reason to crop the ears. Of course, I believe that even for show dogs there is no reason to crop the ears, but that is a whole different discussion.
Save the money and the pain on the dog and do the right thing for him!!!

Answer 11

I don't think they look like dobermans with out the cropping. But they do keep that youthful puppy appearance if left all floppy!