There have been bills proposed to ban ear cropping in Michigan, but they have not yet been passed and implemented. It is prudent for all Doberman owners and prospective owners to be fully educated on this topic so they can make the best choice for their dog and so that they can educate others that inquire (people always ask questions when they see a natural eared dobe or a puppy with tape on its ears). They were fine. Ear Crop & Tail Dock PRIMA Dobermans You dont have to take this articles advice and no one named you personally in it so why you taking so personally ? We ask that our clients send us pictures with the exact crop they desire for their european doberman, so that she may have a clearer understanding of the exact crop that is desired. Not very different with our pets it would seem. This surgery should performed by someone who specializes in the cropping of ears, because the expert cropping of ears is more an artistic endeavor than a technical surgical procedure such as spaying or neutering. American Bullies, Pit bulls, and Many of those same countries have exceptions to allow cropping and docking on dogs meant to do working sport/competition such as Schutzhund. I always comply ! How much does ear cropping cost? After the procedure, the dog must endure weeks of healing and pain. Areas with a lot of humidity or moisture are more prone. I seen no signs of pain. There is definitely a clear winner, and that would be erect ears. Our first recommendation is to make sure that ear cropping is *ONLY* be done by those who have a great deal of experience with this procedure. We offer 24hr support with any ear posting and maintenance questions for all of our puppy owners. My problem is that without those stand up ears people dont consider them to be Dobermans and I need to have that recognition so I can feel like they need to stay away because people dont recognize a Doberman without cropped ears. Many veterinarian practices will sometimes even refuse to see dogs that have been cropped, especially if you have a problem with your European dobermans ears. In the United States, the majority of veterinarians will not crop a puppys ears. When cropping a Dobermans ears, we may think theres only one style. This is the look your dog will have for the rest of your life! A cosmetic procedure which changes the shape of a dogs ears quite dramatically with arguably little measurable benefit to the dog. Its often fairly time-consuming to post a Dobermans ears in the right position and it involves inserting a support into the ear (like a foam rod, cardboard, or plastic support), and then wrapping the ear to stay in place. Die-hard breed fanatics often argue that you arent raising a Doberman in the image originally intended by the creator of the breed if you have a Doberman without cropped ears. If we used the "natural" logic, this breed would be eliminated because it would not be "natural" for us humans to alter or assist the way they are. Otherwise, it will likely have no bearing on your decision. He wanted to create a dog breed that was ideal for personal protection. Its like saying that short hair on dogs is a natural occurrence and therefore. Of course, breed standards can be changed, and have been changed in countries whereear cropping has been banned, so this isnt a strong argument for continuing to endorse this surgical procedure. You dont get a dog just for its looks, its about character traits as well. For those that do not have a puppy of ours and are in need of posting help, we offer the Prima Ear Posting Kit for purchase on our SHOP page (click HERE). In the dogs studied 17.8% of the dogs with pendulous ears (i.e. The posting process is critical to ensure the crop is successful. The Doberman tail is particularly thinner and susceptible to painful breaking or damage just from every day wear/use. He wanted to create a dog Its my hope in this article to outline the real-world pros and cons of getting your Dobermans ears cropped, along with my experience with my Dobermans, so you can decide whats best for you and your dog. Its obvious you dont understand DOGS. Lastly, after all the pain and suffering, theres no guarantee that the surgery will be successful and the dog can end up permanently scarred. The procedure is most often performed on European Doberman puppies as early as 6 weeks of age and as late as 12 weeks of age. The Doberman is the ONLY breed bred for personal protection. The following map can give you a rough idea of where it may or may not be legal. This is because they believe the procedure is purely cosmetic and that it poses an unnecessary risk to the dog. The lycoan pictus, also known as the African wild dog, also has erect ears. Leaving your dogs ears uncropped in the hope that they will stand up on their own, wont work. Elders/parents will start when the children are young and continue as they grow into adulthood. and the puppy is under anesthesia for only that time. If you find yourself in the position to find a good cropping vet though, my best advice is to look up your state on the DPCA breeder referral and find breeders that are near you. PLEASE NOTE: In this article, I will present the potential pros and cons of ear cropping Dobermans as argued by those who are both for, and against it. A friend of ours had a Doberman as a pet, she had a completely unexpected domestic dispute with someone she knew and trusted for many years - her Doberman turned on to the attacker. If you want to go with something that is more natural that nature would have intended, that would be a cropped ear. We shouldnt be able to cause pain and risk to an animal simply to change its look.. We believe in cropping and docking for the Doberman Pinscher. I love dobies. So, the question arises: how did we end up with floppy ears on our canines? The veterinarian that performs your dogs ear cropping will provide you with direction on aftercare which should be closely followed. So I didnt have it done and would never do it. The Doberman military crop (or working crop) is the shortest and easiest for training the ears to stand upright. cry about it. But the breeder who had show dogs informed me he did it only for the purpose of show. Excessive bleeding after surgery is a common clinical finding and severely affected dogs may bleed to death from surgical procedures. If we compare the responses of cropped Dobermans to un-cropped, we usually hear "gorgeous, beautiful" versus "cute, silly." The breed standard for the Doberman Pinscher, states the following: Ears normally cropped and carried erect. Nor neutered. When hunting has been the culture among I will shame you. The definition of natural is, "existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind." The ethical method of cropping is an art done by a licensed, skilled, and experienced veterinarian. Would I do it again, probably not. Clearly a cosmetic decision. Both of which can deter a potential attacker. breed standards are perfectly fine. We got our pups ears cropped on July 31st, 2018 and started posting the 7 or 8 days after that procedure that the vet prescribed. A: This will vary significantly from vet to vet. Although the ear cropping procedures can vary a bit depending on what vet you go to, the following seems to be a fairly consistent approach and experience that most Doberman have from what Ive seen. In my personal experience, Ive only seen what I would describe as true pain from any of my Dobermans at around the time of the first bandage change by the vet after the procedure. Is ear cropping painful for a Doberman? There is no requirement stating owners have to crop their Dobermans ears. The canis lupus, which is also known as the wolf, has erect ears. She was fearful, emaciated, and had heart worms. Always kept them how they were born. Doberman ears have been in the top 3 most requested doberman accessories for almost a decade. The opinions and statements in the pros and cons sections in this article arent necessarily representative of the authors opinions. This is the exact reason why tails are docked as well. Whether or not you should crop your Doberman Pinschers ears is one of those topics I write about on this site that certainly gets a lot of controversy from people on both sides of the debate. Although ear cropping has been a common custom for this breed, especially in the US, there is much controversy regarding this practice. Although at times, this can go up until the dog is 1 year of age, depending on how long the ear cropping is and how fast the cartilage firms up. However, owners Also isnt it more important that the dog is taken care of for its entire life by the owner than the owner choosing to give it a Breed standard look if thats the reason they picked the dog. The wounds can bleed quite a bit and regular dressing changes are required to prevent infection. Like a previous person stated, would you decide to put your son through the pain of having him circumcised?? Anyone who has chosen to have their son circumcised has no room to have an opinion about cropping being cruel and unnecessary. Just my two cents though. So you may get the occasional comment about how you mutilated your dog or how you dont care about your dog because you choose to get their ears cropped. Its an expensive procedure that causes the dog a lot of pain. Again, I would say look at nature. No. The ears can be grabbed, bitten, or torn and if they are it is very painful and they bleed a lot. I always argue this and no one can come up with a good come back! People just need work on stopping true animal abuse and not be concerned with my super spoiled Dobermans eats!!! Knowing that the European Doberman, along with all the other different dog breeds, were created by inbreeding, we can explain the cause of the unnaturally floppy ears. My first dobe was not cropped. Many working dogs like hunting dogs, for example, will have their ears cropped if theyre expected to be running through thick brush or quickly past other obstacles that could injure their ears. Doberman Ear Cropping crop doberman ears This is something thats worth considering as ear cropping, and its aftercare, is not always straightforward. This is especially true on social media where its easier for those in other countries to see your dog and then pass judgment. Doberman Puppy Ear Cropping: History, Reasons and Risks People have a opinion and try to force their opinion on you. No one will have the dedication and vested interest to ensure that your puppy's ears come out nicely more than you will. Despite what many people think, Doberman puppies are actually born with long ears as well as a long tail! Its unknown how much of this is because of the bandages theyre wearing annoying them and how much is due to discomfort. Ear cropping is real animal cruelty. I cant understand how people willingly puts their dog onto the surgical table. The Three Types of Doberman Ear Cropping Styles We also send our owners home with a posting starter pack containing a few pre cut backer rods and rolls of tape that should last until they can buy their own. The upper attachment of the ear, when held erect, is on a level with the top of the skull.. WebThe cost of ear cropping can vary depending on the style and the veterinarian that performs the procedure. All of our European doberman puppy owners get a live demonstration of our posting method and aftercare procedures when they arrive at the kennel for pickup. We believe she is the best european doberman ear cropping veterinarian in the united states. Two previous homes . So glad this horrible, unnecessary process is now illegal in most of Europe. She did not seem to be in any undue pain. This being the argument to neuter. My 12 lb Italian Greyhound mix would whip her tail around as needed for balance while racing through the snow. Thank you for making my decision easier. She was wonderful with children, too! The stitches are removed at about a week and the cup comes off at about two weeks. After a Dobermans ears are cropped itll usually be the owners responsibility to perform posting of the ears until the dog is about 6 to 8 months of age. 2. This will allow you to see adult dogs (the length of their ears, the style of their crops, etc. Web1. The cut edges of the ear are stitched and Soft foam blocks or posts are placed inside the ear and the ear is then taped around them to stand upright. WebWhen Doberman puppies are born the ears are soft and floppy. It involves the removal of part or all of the external flaps of the ear and is done under general anaesthesia. I had her treated and she lived to be 15! During this time they play just as rough if not more because the cone/cup on the head looks like a very fun chew toy! A Doberman with floppy un-cropped ears is more the look of a hound dog with Doberman markings - cute or goofy. Most pups have their ears up by the age of 6 7 months. That said, it isnt unusual for some ears not to stand until the pup is a year old. And some puppies have poor ear leather, which means that the ears wont ever stand perfectly or the tips will curl inward. In general, the cost of ear cropping ranges from $200 to $500. WebThe ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. Theres always risk with it. If your dobie acquires a bad ear crop or a fallen ear or tip then the blame is on the owner for not being committed and doing their research. The vet will have a pre-surgery consultation where they discuss the style of cropping desired and verify the VWD status. While the Doberman breed standard in the United States calls for Dobermans to have cropped ears, this is only of concern if you plan to enter your dog in AKC breed conformation shows. You reacting in an overly sensitive way is telling. 2023 Doberman Planet LLC. Preventative Tips for Doberman Cropped Ears Infection It even lists different crop styles and how and who does them. Sorry- my dog my choice. No one said it wasnt. They ridicule you if your opinion is different and call you an animal abuser. It includes all the materials needed, video tutorials easy to follow, tips and tricks, trouble shooting guides, support group for searching and posting questions/topics, and unlimited coaching feedback for any post or question you share with me! In some breeds such as Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, puppy ear cropping was considered an important attribute for a protection dog in the belief that cropped ears improve the dogs hearing and make it harder for an assailant to grab hold of the dog. Doberman ear crops should only be done under the guidance of an experienced Doberman vet/breeder/handler. Although the Doberman Pinscher Beed Standard as published by the American Kennel Club does call for cropped ears on the Doberman, this only matters if youre showing your dog in breed conformation shows. Im cropping my Dobermans ears. Dobermans are notorious to have constant reoccurring inner ear infection with un-cropped floppy ears due to restricted air flow. The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the largest canine organization in the world and they have divisions in Europe, the Americas, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. How do you crop a Dobermans ears? There are three different types of ear crops for Dobermans. I dont believe you bring up anything scientific to say it is ok to do. Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Ear cropping surgery is done under anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. Modern veterinarians implore many pain management techniques in an attempt to minimize the pain such as general anesthesia, pain medication, and laser ear cropping. The cutting of flaps will make your dog look fierce and meet the breed standard. Lol. Second, let's consider a more practical and functional side of things. (You may chose to let go of your pinky, since it is of not much use anyway, and you dont have a tail to let go of) . Ear cropping a Doberman for cosmetic reasons is considered cruel and unnecessary in many parts of the world. Even in the US, there are fewer veterinarians who are willing to perform this surgery and ear cropping is no longer being taught at colleges of veterinary medicine. By the time a dog reaches 8 months of age, the process that transforms floppy ears into pointy, upright ears should be well underway if not totally completed. Doberman But there is certainly some level of pain and discomfort afterward. Glad to hear ear cropping is illegal in most of Europe.So unnessary and inhumane!! This involves wrapping, or posting, the ears into position until the dogs ear cartilage naturally firms up causing them to stay erect. Usually it is a red flag if the vet charges significantly lower or higher, but some vets in the midwest are exceptionally skilled at cropping and only charge around $250. They have only made it possible for dogs with the natural look of floppy ears and a long tail to be shown in their competitions. Essentially with the cropped Doberman, the aim is to comply with show standards or are cropped because the owners like the way it makes the dog look. Cropped Ears. Just because wolves and coyotes have erect ears doesnt mean it isnt natural for other breeds. It is a liability and disservice to leave them un-cropped when it is their nature to act for you. For example, the lion, weasel, bear, and coyote. In fact, many Doberman owners decide to leave their dogs ears in their natural state. Ear cropping is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the dogs ear is removed, producing a sharper and less heavy ear. The creator of this breed, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann originally cropped his dogs ears so that they could excel at protection work. I have a natural ear Doberman and her ears stand up most of the time. Q: How much does cropping cost? The answer is better stated as a question: how did we end up with European Dobermans to begin with? If you choose the long crop, you could be looking at many months of after-care. I totally agree, I am an advocate for ear cropping, and I do not see cruelty or animal abuse if the surgery is done in a vet hospital equipped and with the correct care. In a dog that is meant to be a protector, the first impression counts. Should we cut off their feet so they dont get foot cancer ?? Essentially the ears are taped over the head to keep them upright and wrapped with gauze for protection. These people grow up happy, loved, and functioning people of their community. Tell us your thoughts on Doberman ear cropping in the comments below. Doberman Ear Cropping Pros & Cons: Should You Do It? Unneutered dogs account for many dog deaths as they run away to try to mate and get hit by cars or otherwise killed. WebShow Crop: This ear is the longest and a little narrower than the other two crops. Fewer and fewer veterinarians are willing to perform this surgery. The ears are then taped or sometimes glued to a post for 35 days at a time. If done right and with proper aftercare I dont believe it causes undue pain. In my experience with my Dobermans, I have never noticed pain around the time of the surgery. The show crop is typically the most expensive option, followed by the working and pet crops. She was outstanding, loyal, loving, and great with children. Cropping a Dobermans ears can actually be hazardous to the dogs health for a number of reasons. Then the posts and bandages will need to be replaced so the ears are positioned correctly. This map may not be complete, completely accurate, and may have outdated information. Your email address will not be published. Some human babies are born with small tails that are surgically removed at birth. With regard to the theory that erect ears are more accurate at sonic locating, I would point out that when the dog has control over the elevation of each ear, you will often find them listening with one ear in a lower position than the other.