This is why, in a protection bred dog, the ears can be a huge liability. Excessive bleeding after surgery is a common clinical finding and severely affected dogs may bleed to death from surgical procedures. Why do Dobermans have their ears cropped? However, owners The opinions and statements in the pros and cons sections in this article arent necessarily representative of the authors opinions. Our European doberman puppies get cropped around 6-9 weeks of age in our USA Kennel, and around 8-10 weeks of age in our Serbia Location. Also isnt neutering a animal painful or traumatic also completely against what they are made to do. The Doberman is the ONLY breed bred for personal protection. Ear cropping surgery is done under anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. Use peroxide to clean the edges of the ears and then dust the edges with BFI Powder to help dry them out. Cropping a Dobermans ears can actually be hazardous to the dogs health for a number of reasons. 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. We believe in cropping and docking for the Doberman Pinscher. They are presented here so you can make up your own mind. The posting process is critical to ensure the crop is successful. 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. Remove any dirt, wax, or debris inside the ear Clearly a cosmetic decision. Its unknown how much of this is because of the bandages theyre wearing annoying them and how much is due to discomfort. The Proceedure is Not Always Successful, Video: Cropped vs. Natural Eared Dobermans. Again, for 7 to 10 days the pup will remain in his cup with the ears taped erect until all the cut edges are healed. How is this in any way related to dogs ears being cropped? Cropping a Dobermans ears costs between $300 to $800 on average. The operation itself is carried out under anesthetic, but post operative pain is inevitable when we make deep cuts in part of an animals body or when we remove body parts entirely. Elders/parents will start when the children are young and continue as they grow into adulthood. Posting is done in a variety of ways. BFI Powder is also used for Athletes Foot and is readily available at most drugstores. The procedure is most often performed on If youve ever seen a fierce-looking Doberman standing guard to protect their family, chances are they had this ear style. If I thought that they were in pain I would absolutely not have their ears cropped. No one will have the dedication and vested interest to ensure that your puppy's ears come out nicely more than you will. We have our boys circumcised should we outlaw that practice as well. After the surgery is completed, the ear cartilage needs to heal and the ear will need to be posted in position so that when the ear cartilage hardens naturally with age, the ears will stay in the correct position. She was outstanding, loyal, loving, and great with children. 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). Ear leather thickness and length can also affect the length and style of the crop. These infections are painful and could cause hearing loss, even a ruptured inner ear. Look at the wolf, hyena, fox, coyote, etc and you will consistently see that mother nature has adapted these animals in the wild to have upright ears, or if the ears do come downward they are not closing off the canal in such a way that the man bred breeds of dogs of today do. In fact, the FCI breed standard says the following in regards to the ears. The ears are then taped or sometimes glued to a post for 35 days at a time. In fact, most wild animals that are carnivores have erect ears. After that, your dogs ears will need to be posted in position usually until their ear cartilage firms up (usually at 6 to 8 months of age). My Dobie was the best dog I ever owned. In the United States, the majority of veterinarians will not crop a puppys ears. Another reason is that in a Doberman, uncropped ears are often perceived to give a gentler, less aggressive appearance, so clipping dogs ears may also be part of an attempt to enhance the Dobermans reputation for being fearless and fierce. Ear cropping surgery prices range from 150 dollars up to 1,500 dollars in some practices. Sorry- my dog my choice. Most breeders will perform the surgery when they still have the puppies under their care. This process is necessary for the hardening of the cartilage and the strengthening of the muscles around and in the ear. If you choose the long crop, you could be looking at many months of after-care. The surgery must be done by a veterinarian who is experienced in cropping Dobermans ears. I do agree, we should not crop our dogs ears or tails and we should not circumcise our boys either. Owners will often do this more frequently if the ears get wet or dirty, or less frequently if they stay fairly clean. More information about the traditional method used in the past by veterinary surgeons to crop a dogs ears can be found here. For example, the lion, weasel, bear, and coyote. This is something thats worth considering as ear cropping, and its aftercare, is not always straightforward. On average I hear about $500. Or they may mature into what is known as "rose ears." And even then theres no guarantee that the surgery will be a success. From a historical perspective, ear cropping among Doberman dogs has been explained by the roots from the past ages. Not only is this needless practice painful for the dog, as with any surgical procedure theres the risk of infection or complications with anesthesia. The look for the breed is meant to be regal, also described as "the look of eagles." A Dobermans natural ears are large and heavy which makes it difficult to train them to stand if left uncropped. She was fearful, emaciated, and had heart worms. When you reduce or eliminate the ability for them to use their ears to communicate how theyre feeling, it can lead to misunderstandings of behaviors. Is that for the well being of the dog ?? They will have a cup on their head and need a little cream applied on the edges while it heals. Depending on the technique used by the veterinarian, there is at times crying and/or whimpering during these stages, although not always. And how many ladies out there complain about ear cropping, but go and get breast augmentations, which are also purely cosmetic. IMPORTANT NOTE: Although the map above is a good general reference, its important to do your own research in regards to legalities where you live, even if this map indicates it may be legal in your country. It is highly recommended by folks here, that owners post their own pup's ears. 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. Any medical procedure will almost certainly involve some level of pain or discomfort on a dog. After the initial procedure, which takes about 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. Also, when a Doberman has any type of ear irritation, theyll often violently shake their head side-to-side. Also, dogs with floppy ears tend to have more ear infections. The puppy is put under anesthesia while the ears are trimmed and the edges are stitched. We are extremely humbled to be able to use her as our main ear-cropping veterinarian. 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. And she had a big fenced yard. Healing is allowed for 1012 days, after which the stitches are removed. The ears, are left natural and of an appropriate size; they are set on either side at the highest point of the skull and are ideally lying close to the cheeks.. Dobermans are born with floppy ears and long tails, similar to a labrador or hound dog. Ear crops are now performed on a few dog breeds, particularly Doberman Pinschers, for cosmetic reasons or to correct ear abnormalities. She is capable of copying any style of crop and does it to perfection. This look is hardly achieved with un-cropped ears. Between 7 and 10 days after cropping, the sutures will be removed, the cup changed. Reasons a person may choose to crop To avoid injury or damage to ears due to fights with other dogs or animals; or any other injury long, I dont believe you bring up anything scientific to say it is ok to do. Before I bought my first doberman, I didnt know much about it and thought it was normal. 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. Replacing the ear posts on a Doberman can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on the specific technique thats used and how experienced you are with the posting procedure. WebDobermans are beautiful with natural ears as well. In the past, that has caused some whimpering from my dogs. With animals, I dont think they would ever wake up and think my ears need a little cropping. 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. Heres whats involved afterwards. In my experience, it seems like Dobies have no problem handling the procedure itself and Im always relieved when I see how happy and chipper my Dobermans are right after the procedure. Due to the differences of perception of ear cropping of Dobermans and dogs in general between various countries and societies, its no surprise that there are very different laws on this subject depending on where you live. I believe cropping a dobermans ears is unnecessary and cruel. In Mexico it is prohibited but it does not prevent the owners from continuing to practice it, the difference is that now they end up doing it clandestinely, I just got my first girl dobermen amd she is wonderful one of my friends it trying to tell me that i have to get her ears cropped do to ear infection and my pup is 8 weeks old today. The ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. The wounds can bleed quite a bit and regular dressing changes are required to prevent infection. If the ears fall put them right back up in the roll. This involves wrapping, or posting, the ears into position until the dogs ear cartilage naturally firms up causing them to stay erect. Cosmetics, medication, tested on animals first. Doberman ear cropping is now banned in many countries. Some countries do not legally allow these practices but that does not mean they are unethical. I had her treated and she lived to be 15! A Doberman with floppy un-cropped ears is more the look of a hound dog with Doberman markings - cute or goofy. Some human babies are born with small tails that are surgically removed at birth. Not cosmetic. WebShow Crop: This ear is the longest and a little narrower than the other two crops. cry about it. They are sedated (anesthetized), cropped, and the edges are stitched up. Female Dobermans will reach their first heat around eight months, so seven months is definitely time to face this procedure. Its like saying that short hair on dogs is a natural occurrence and therefore. Other countries follow a different breed standard such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) which has no such requirements. We are in favor of maintaining our right of choice on this elective surgery and respect that others may choose differently than us. The answer is through the process of inbreeding, which was used to manipulate desirable traits and magnify them in offspring. In fact, many Doberman owners decide to leave their dogs ears in their natural state. This is the look your dog will have for the rest of your life! This is especially true outside the United States. 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. 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. Natural Doberman puppy ears are floppy, wide, and proportionately long in relation to the size of the head. This will take a significant amount of time and effort on the part of the owner to maintain these ear posts. The ears heal and, after about All our puppies receive full support with posting instructions and feedback through our Prima Ear Posting Kit. One example of this is floppy ears. Being able to be quickly identified as a Doberman can make it less likely for someone to challenge the dog due to the Dobermans reputation for fearlessness, loyalty, and protectiveness over their owners. John Walter is a Family Doberman Specialist, holds a CPD certification in Canine Communication, and is an active dog trainer specializing in the Doberman Pinscher breed. In some dogs, surgery may not be successful and these dogs sometimes undergo additional surgery. Do not expect a beautiful crop without lots of support, work and commitment. Ear cartilage that hangs down in front of the ears can obstruct sound from entering the ear canal as efficiently as it otherwise would if the dog had erect ears. 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. Having shorter, smaller ears that naturally laid back over the top of the dogs head like cropped ears will do, means there is a lesser chance of damage to the ear by a person or other dog during a conflict. Next, clean your puppys ears with ear cleanser and cotton balls. Some into old age, if you will. Females will be between 50 and 60 pounds. There are a few cases where a veterinarian might advise that it is, and usually, this is only in the case of a severely damaged ear from an accident, dog attack, or medical condition. I want another Doberman but I dont want her to have her ears cropped. So glad this horrible, unnecessary process is now illegal in most of Europe. : This ear is a little longer and has a little less bell. Hygienic. A dog with fixed upright ears has no control over this positioning and therefore would theoretically be less accurate at locating the source of sounds (accurate in finding direction, but not range.) I love dobies. Unfortunately, it is also usually very easy for the puppy to remove the cup with regularity. Because it is so important that the pups ears remain in the cup until they are completely healed, one must be extremely vigilant during this period. The way in which you care for a cropped ear has a huge impact on whether or not that ear will ever stand properly. Glad to hear ear cropping is illegal in most of Europe.So unnessary and inhumane!! Since, while sometimes struggling to keep those suckers in her ears, we've managed. I promised this beautiful Dobe , No One here will ever hurt her . Not very different with our pets it would seem. Many places have banned ear cropping entirely, including most European countries. She did not seem to be in any undue pain. Find out why or why not. Yall are just mad that you were wrong about cropping ears. Although the procedure does require the puppy to be anesthetized, it may lessen your fears about cropping to know that the operation takes only 30 min. Please read and research for yourself. The surgery itself is very brief, they wake up quickly, and when they do they are hungry and playing like usual. Dont buy it. Somewhere even further back in those dogs history, the breeders made the mistake or decision that they preferred dogs with floppy ears rather than the upright ones that we consistently find in nature throughout history. Floppy ears are a natural occurrence. 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. Ear cropping and posting procedures will open up the ear and drastically increase airflow into the ear canal. Leaving your dogs ears uncropped in the hope that they will stand up on their own, wont work. She had natural ears and a cropped tail and thought to have been used for breeding. To me it ranks along with getting your male children circumcised- a matter of personal choice. If we compare the responses of cropped Dobermans to un-cropped, we usually hear "gorgeous, beautiful" versus "cute, silly." Especially Dobbies with the risk of them having von Willebrands disease which Dobbies are known to have. This surgery is often performed under general anesthesia and is relatively routine in the United States. It cannot be carried out in areas where ear cropping is illegal, and is a procedure that is usually carried out only in puppies. Fences and kennels do the same without the pain for the dog. There is a lot of debate whether un-cropped ears are considered "natural" or not, because in nature there is no canine or animal that has naturally occurring floppy ears that close off the ear canal. The longer the ears are left untapped, the longer it will take for them to stand on their own. Some vets will post and tape up the ears immediately, while others will wait until the wounds heal. A opinion is cake is better than ice cream if you believe their is not a single thing wrong with this, get help. There is no regulation or law anywhere that I am aware of (certainly not in the U.S.) requiring you to crop your Dobermans ears. 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. Ear cropping should never be attempted at home or without anesthesia. Here are some of the potential drawbacks, or downsides, to getting your Dobermans ears cropped as argued by those who are against ear cropping. WebThe ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. In smaller breeds like the Brussels Griffon, the ears were cropped to make it harder for a cornered rat to bite them. There are many people out there who believe that cropping a dogs ears is cruel and inhumane. Many people think so, and the procedure is now banned in many areas. This condition is characterized by a defect in platelet function which affects the bloods ability to clot. Just because wolves and coyotes have erect ears doesnt mean it isnt natural for other breeds. Most agree that the ears should be taped for a week, then untapped long enough to allow the ears to breathe and dry out, then taped back up again. In a dog that is meant to be a protector, the first impression counts. The vet would need to repair them in surgery and give antibiotics to prevent infection. And there are a number of reasons why this practice has fallen out of favor. Required fields are marked *. but I noticed there is a piece of ear skin on her left It is not the same. Where Ive noticed the most pain from my Doberman pups is when the stitches are removed or the first bandage change occurs after surgery. Help?! After the cup comes off, they will need to be "posted" for several weeks or months depending on the dog and the style of crop for how long it may take. In 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) released a statement advising that their organization is opposed to this procedure. Its for the well being of the owner. If you are on the fence about owning a Doberman without ears clipped, we hope this article has given you food for thought. Every single one of these breeds has the unnatural floppy ear trait. He wanted to create a dog breed that was ideal for personal protection. WebThe use of pain relief with a healthy diet lets the wounds heal at a fast pace. Puppies can look pretty cute with those floppy ears of theirs. He's been quoted in Doberman Network Magazine, Bark Magazine, Doberman Dispatch, and he's the founder of Doberman Planet. Second and third were. You just justify it by saying to helps with unwanted dogs being born. The medium crop gives the breed a more intimidating look which is ideal for any working dog, especially if their task is to protect the home. Shame on you. Having cropped ears made for one less hand-hold for an attacker to grab on to and gain control over the dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes ear cropping in dogs. Breed standards are beyond dumb, animals arent an aesthetic. They are sedated (anesthetized), cropped, and the edges are stitched up. Everybody, especially in the European doberman world, will have something to critique or comment on, but the important thing is that you get what you want and paid for. Although we often laugh at the prospect of seeing our Doberman Pups with cups on their heads, it really is the easiest way to keep the ears upright while they heal. I seen no signs of pain. When hunting has been the culture among The better news is that the recovery time for ear cropping is typically short. 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. How much pain do yo think a dog is due for a cosmetic procedure? and the puppy is under anesthesia for only that time. Like the United States breed standard, falling outside whats outlined doesnt appear to be a disqualifier but is considered a fault. If done right and with proper aftercare I dont believe it causes undue pain. I dont share those concerns as my intent is for my dog to appear vicious, 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. 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. Shes going on three years old . In other areas like the United States, ear croppings are commonplace, and cropped ears are still part of the breed standard for the Doberman Pinscher. However, this is how the majority of aftercare is done for Doberman ear crops in my experience. For the first 7 days after ear cropping, your pup will remain in his rack (or cup), with sutures holding the edges closed. Once the ears are fully healed, you may move on to posting the ears. Poor dog, Actually, this article doesnt shame people.