With daily care of cleaning the ears thoroughly this risk can be reduced. They are sedated (anesthetized), cropped, and the edges are stitched up. He wanted to create a dog After the procedure, the dog must endure weeks of healing and pain. Would like to see some studies of this parallax phenomenon, comparing accuracy of uncut ears against ones that have been mutilated for the sake of the owners vanity. Any medical procedure will almost certainly involve some level of pain or discomfort on a dog. I believe cropping a dobermans ears is unnecessary and cruel. Although rare, there is a long list of potential complications that can happen during an ear cropping procedure such as infections or even death. Other countries follow a different breed standard such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) which has no such requirements. Whereas a Doberman with floppy ears is often misidentified by others as a type of hound dog, mutt, or an unknown breed. The only way to get reliably erect ears on a Doberman, is to cut them before holding them in their new position until the ear cartilage has hardened. 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. Proper aftercare is essential during this lengthy healing process, which is very uncomfortable for the dog. This will allow you to see adult dogs (the length of their ears, the style of their crops, etc. WebWhen Doberman puppies are born the ears are soft and floppy. I think disfiguring an animal because it suits the owners eye is an extremely selfish thing to do. This is a silly argument. Use peroxide to clean the edges of the ears and then dust the edges with BFI Powder to help dry them out. 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. Circumcision has scientific evidence in favor of reducing bacteria. Most breeders will perform the surgery when they still have the puppies under their care. It involves the removal of part or all of the external flaps of the ear and is done under general anaesthesia. We have a strict standard for beautiful, complimentary crops that enhance the look of the dog. 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. I love dobies. They do so for aesthetic, religious, or social reasons. She is capable of copying any style of crop and does it to perfection. 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. I totally agree with you! WebThe ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. In general, Dobermans and Great Danes are cropped between 8 and 10 weeks of age. I always comply ! The Doberman Pinscher breed standard in the United States is set by the American Kennel Club (AKC). She already had cropped ears and was trained. The operation is just the beginning. (Luckily i was able to clot and have stitched) this can be fatal. Some vets will post and tape up the ears immediately, while others will wait until the wounds heal. Also, when a Doberman has any type of ear irritation, theyll often violently shake their head side-to-side. A Dobermans ears are naturally floppy; without surgery a Dobermans ears will not stand up. The duration of healing time is dependent on how well they were cropped, sutured, and kept clean. It serves no other purpose. DT members have helped countless new Dobe puppy owners make posting cropped ears a pleasant and successful experience. Regardless the Doberman breed is meant to protect. Although the success of the ear cropping seems to depend heavily on the consistency and technique of the ear posting by the owner. This process is necessary for the hardening of the cartilage and the strengthening of the muscles around and in the ear. Todos los carnivoros tienen las orejas erectas incluso los gatos domesticos, incluso los humanos, la elegancia del doberman se debe en gran parte a un buen corte de orejas. The breed standard states that the Doberman Pinscher should have ears that are cropped and held in an erect position. 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.. In Europe, the most prominent doberman club association (FCI) has banned the possibility of showing any cropped European doberman after 2016. A opinion is cake is better than ice cream if you believe their is not a single thing wrong with this, get help. The vet would need to repair them in surgery and give antibiotics to prevent infection. Out kit is designed to be the most simple to use, most comfortable for the dog, fastest achieved results, and hand holding support so you can get the ears done right! Dont buy it. Youll need to maintain this process until the dogs ears can reliably and consistently stay standing on their own. 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. In smaller breeds like the Brussels Griffon, the ears were cropped to make it harder for a cornered rat to bite them. Finally, this last consideration of why or why not to crop/dock is one that not many think about at all: the longterm future of your dog if he/she had to be rehomed. 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. If youve ever seen a fierce-looking Doberman standing guard to protect their family, chances are they had this ear style. The amount of blood alone could be a danger, but usually the wounds to an ear are not fatal. 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. I hope you dont think the same way with humans. WebRECOMMENDED: 25 Dazzling Doberman Mixes. However, I never saw anything remotely resembling pain on subsequent bandage changes, or during ear posting later on. Ears are for hearing, and are best left as the breed has developed them, as well explained by Reggie, above. Even though the facts are not certain, the European doberman bloodline is said to consist of the Beauceron, German Pinscher, Rottweiler, Weimaraner, Greyhound, and Manchester Terrier. but I noticed there is a piece of ear skin on her left For some people, ear cropping is seen as a sign of breeding prestige and The procedure is not recommended Start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Depending on the technique used by the veterinarian, there is at times crying and/or whimpering during these stages, although not always. 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). Ear leather thickness and length can also affect the length and style of the crop. Many places have banned ear cropping entirely, including most European countries. They too have a breed standard for the Doberman (available here). Shorter ears are considered less likely to be injured if the dog is involved in a conflict or running through thick brush. 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. This will take a significant amount of time and effort on the part of the owner to maintain these ear posts. Required fields are marked *. Permanent teeth should be almost fully grown in. If you choose the long crop, you could be looking at many months of after-care. You can get Dobermans ears cropped at a veterinarian who specializes in the procedure if permitted by your local laws. He clearly understands human beings, though. Many argue that there are no examples of dogs in the wild who have floppy ears due to natural selection. I strongly discourage this practice and if you still do it, despite its cruelty and pointlessness, you are only doing it for appearance, not to help with hearing or infections. The only way to ever get any kind of purebred dog today is to inbreed two closely related dogs together, or, in other words, design the breed by understanding the genetics of the two dogs. Doberman WebThe ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. That is the steepest cost I have seen. During surgery, the outside part of the ears are trimmed and the edges are sutured. 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). With this popularity, companies like Amazon and Ebay both sell them They will have a cup on their head and need a little cream applied on the edges while it heals. Between 7 and 10 days after cropping, the sutures will be removed, the cup changed. Since the age for docking (and dewclaw removal) is between 3-5 days old, and puppies are not picked out until 8+ weeks old, all our puppies will have tails docked and dewclaws removed. People just need work on stopping true animal abuse and not be concerned with my super spoiled Dobermans eats!!! Whether you are anticipating protection opportunities for your dog or not, they are and they are on the look out. This condition is characterized by a defect in platelet function which affects the bloods ability to clot. Some cropping vets near us that claim to have experience since the 70's charge $825 and $725 per puppy. It is recommended that ear cropping surgery be performed by a cosmetic veterinarian with extensive experience. They ridicule you if your opinion is different and call you an animal abuser. Surgical interference is the only thing that alters the appearance of their ears. We have observed the cropping ourselves, it is very simple. 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. 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. This schedule of wrapping and cleaning the ears will need to continue until the dog is at least 6 months old but at times can be necessary up until the dog is 1 year of age. 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. His original dogs always had cropped ears and a docked tail. The definition of natural is, "existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind." 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. You want to feel ok with cutting up your dog and having it recover from a painful surgery that isnt necessarybecause it looks cool to you. I would not like that done onto my self, Why would I inflicted on another being? Cost may vary depending on which veterinarian performs the procedure. Poor dog, Actually, this article doesnt shame people. Frankly though, to the average owner of a Doberman who just wants a family dog and has no intention of having their dog compete in the show ring, having their dog fit the breed standard likely isnt of any concern to them. Ear cropping in modern times is almost never medically necessary. And as one study found, dogs with cropped ears are perceived as being more aggressive and dominant. Ear cropping is not a straightforward or quick procedure. 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. The reason that I would not do it again is because I am in an area where there are no available Vets that would do the cropping the way I prefer (long crop). I dont pressure or judge anyone based on their style preference. This is the look your dog will have for the rest of your life! She had no infection or complications. Every single one of these breeds has the unnatural floppy ear trait. Its like saying that short hair on dogs is a natural occurrence and therefore. 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. In 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) released a statement advising that their organization is opposed to this procedure. The very first thing your puppy will want to do after being cropped is eat - which shows you how much the whole procedure actually bothers a young puppy!! Theres a lot worse in this world than responsible cropping! It sounds way more like you know doing an elective surgery on an animal is your vanity and needless. The point is, protection is instinct in these dogs. This look is hardly achieved with un-cropped ears. We offer 24hr support with any ear posting and maintenance questions for all of our puppy owners. Clean the ears and check for any signs of redness, irritation, or infection. You just justify it by saying to helps with unwanted dogs being born. As a lady, I have never had a tail, the need to be circumcised and do not have a tail nor ears that flop. The article specifically said that scientific studies have shown that having upright years does not improve hearing or reduce your infection. Dobermans are born with floppy ears and long tails, similar to a labrador or hound dog. Even if true, this isnt really an issue for the average family pet. Veterinarians and other animal experts have concluded that there is little benefit to ear cropping and this has to be weighed against the downsides. A good breeder will always, and insist on, taking the dog back. The third got an infection and one ear healed flopped over. Breed standards are beyond dumb, animals arent an aesthetic. There are those who insist that ear cropping is a part of the breeds identity. Puppies can look pretty cute with those floppy ears of theirs. I myself fell in love with this breed because of their physical appearance. Clearly a cosmetic decision. Many people think so, and the procedure is now banned in many areas. Floppy, cropped ears.tailsI believe that is worse. Ear Cropping for European Show Dobermans by Paul DO NOT take the ears down and let the ears hang for any length of time. Their ears are soft and silky, and inside theyre smooth and pink. But realistically, falling outside of any of the breed standards only has consequences if you intend to show your dog in breed conformation shows. 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. Here are two tutorials that may be 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. WebThe ears are sutured after cropping and taped over the head by the vet and then covered with gauze or glued to a piece of Styrofoam between them. A cosmetic procedure which changes the shape of a dogs ears quite dramatically with arguably little measurable benefit to the dog. Is that for the well being of the dog ?? These minute changes within the appearance of canines are what biologists refer to as micro evolution. The bandages and earn posts can be annoying and uncomfortable for the dog although it doesnt seem likely that they cause any pain. 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. In other words, there is no right answer here and owners can do what they please. WebEar cropping is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the dogs ear is removed, producing a sharper and less heavy ear. Now a days i would say its for looks. 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. The Doberman breed is a man-made creation, just like most dog breeds in existence, and they have many features that would never occur in the wild. There are various tribes that make body modifications scarring, tattoos, body piercings, or extended neck, lip, earlobes, nasal canals, etc. Like all dogs, Dobermans will communicate with other dogs and humans through various means including the use of their ears, tail, body movements, and more. No exceptions. Cons The Arguments Against Ear Cropping, 7. These people grow up happy, loved, and functioning people of their community. Tail docking is a much easier, and cheaper, procedure done when the dog is much younger. A Dobermans natural ears are large and heavy which makes it difficult to train them to stand if left uncropped. For example, in the United States, its legal as long as a veterinarian performs the procedure. The procedure is most often performed on I feel, it is a guilt trip you put responsible owners through. They are likely to scar and the healing may result in unsightly abnormality of shape. If we compare the responses of cropped Dobermans to un-cropped, we usually hear "gorgeous, beautiful" versus "cute, silly." 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! Its for the well being of the owner. Im cropping my Dobermans ears. Pain medication and veteranarians increasing willingness to use it will help the Doberman recovering from an ear cropping. Posting a Dobermans ears without cropping them is rarely done and is often not successful. So, the question arises: how did we end up with floppy ears on our canines? She was wonderful with children, too! Now youre embarrassed and sticking to your dumb*ss excuses for animal cruelty. Where can you get a Dobermans ears cropped? How To Post Doberman Ears - mydobermanslife.com Preventative Tips for Doberman Cropped Ears Infection Often, the ear set will result in long hanging ears that droop, which detracts from the look of the chiseled, wedge shaped head. 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. Tilting the head might be an attempt to compensate for this lack of control. Ear cropping healing time is around 1016 days. He wanted to create a dog breed that was ideal for personal protection. Ear Cropping and Aftercare: Do's and Don'ts - Doberman Achieving ears that stand properly requires time and commitment on the part of the owner. The surgery itself is very brief, they wake up quickly, and when they do they are hungry and playing like usual. 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. Please take the great big beam out of your eye before you take the speck out of mineWould you give a life saving vaccine or medication or perhaps a medical procedure to your loved one which has been cruelly tested on an animal?? How is this in any way related to dogs ears being cropped? The surgery must be done by a veterinarian who is experienced in cropping Dobermans The ear wrappings do, at times, seem to annoy the dogs as the months go by during the posting stage (but the ears are fully healed at this point). breed standards are perfectly fine. 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. The ethical method of cropping is an art done by a licensed, skilled, and experienced veterinarian. One of the most common underlying causes for an ear infection is excessive moisture (source). Having an unobstructed path for sound to travel the ears can increase hearing and even the ability of the dog to locate the source of a sound. Many of those same countries have exceptions to allow cropping and docking on dogs meant to do working sport/competition such as Schutzhund. 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. Human circumcision is most commonly performed for religious and/or cultural reasons, whereas dog ear cropping really is purely cosmetic, but neither are primarily medical. Doberman ear crops can be of different lengths and styles. Theres always risk with it. And there are a number of reasons why this practice has fallen out of favor. Shes going on three years old . The lycoan pictus, also known as the African wild dog, also has erect ears. Yea some human babies are, but every dog is born with ears and tails unless a birth defect. 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. The cropped ear helps to allow more airflow and light which not only reduces or eliminates ear infection, but some studies show it intensifies their hearing as well. When they pop out or after the amount of No. It could cost a lot to repair if the damage was serious enough. There are three different types of ear crops for Dobermans. No one is taking a woman to a plastic surgeon without her knowledge and forcibly putting implants in her. and the puppy is under anesthesia for only that time. However, the only reason to have a Dobermans ears cropped is to comply with show standards or for aesthetic purposes. Should we cut off their feet so they dont get foot cancer ?? Two previous homes . Cropping may take place before you collect your puppy, or your breeder may recommend you have the procedure carried out by your own veterinarian. Did you have your babies ear lobes cut and fused to their skulls because attached lobes look better to you? Third, we are concerned about ear infection. Ear cropping surgery is done under anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. 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. Q: How much does cropping cost? I will shame you. Owners are responsible for post-operative care that can last for many months. The ideal age for a Doberman is 7-9 weeks of age, before the ear cartilage begins hardening. One example of this is floppy ears. How cropped ears are perceived by the kennel clubs inside the United States and other parts of the world are in stark contrast to each other. The best ear crop for a Doberman is the one that stands. And how many ladies out there complain about ear cropping, but go and get breast augmentations, which are also purely cosmetic. Also consider the additional fees for medicine if the vet charges extra, for travel if it is required, and for after care supplies/tapes. This actually has a function, to allow the dog to use the parallax introduced by the differential ear positioning to acquire the range of the target sound. Especially Dobbies with the risk of them having von Willebrands disease which Dobbies are known to have. The wounds can bleed quite a bit and regular dressing changes are required to prevent infection. Many argue that putting your dog through a surgery that they dont medically need is immoral. So glad this horrible, unnecessary process is now illegal in most of Europe. If the ears fall put them right back up in the roll. Then the posts and bandages will need to be replaced so the ears are positioned correctly. Before you think, "well I'm just getting my dog as a pet, we don't plan on protection sport or unruly play with other dogs and I live in a safe neighborhood" The Doberman is always on watch. After they are cropped, we keep them for another 14 days to provide after care and remove the stitches. The show crop is typically the most expensive option, followed by the working and pet crops. Lol. After the initial procedure, which takes about You dont have to take this articles advice and no one named you personally in it so why you taking so personally ? She had natural ears and a cropped tail and thought to have been used for breeding. This is something that humans have bred with the domestication of animals. Don't just assume it is cruel or assume it looks better so it must be better. Posting is done in a variety of ways. Find out why or why not. How often its not successful is almost impossible to determine as every veterinarian has a different definition of what a successful crop is. Dogs as an animal would not exist were it not for mans interference. Learn More. In some areas this may involve considerable journeys as fewer and fewer vets are willing to carry out the procedure. And tails are needed for many functions apart from wagging or between their legs to express emotions, they are used physically for balance. WebA quick tutorial to help you successfully post your Doberman's ears!www.kelviewdobermans.comwww.facebook.com/kelviewdobermans Both loving, very smart, well trained. I always argue this and no one can come up with a good come back! 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. At seven months old male Dobermans weigh between 55 and 70 pounds or more. There is no set amount of time it takes before a puppys ears will stand; the average time for taping is approximately 4-5 months. Heres whats involved afterwards. 2014. prima dobermans. Second, let's consider a more practical and functional side of things. 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. Some countries do not legally allow these practices but that does not mean they are unethical. The Doberman ear cropping age is usually done at 7-9 weeks of the birth. It is not recommended that the ears be cropped after 9 weeks as the ears cartilage has formed to a flat shape. The procedure should be completed by a vet with experience in ear cropping to ensure a proper, good looking, standing ear. If they will not provide photos don't take the risk. They can do this so repetitively at times, that the tips of the ear can begin to bleed and have difficulty healing. 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. The Doberman is the ONLY breed bred for personal protection. WebThe use of pain relief with a healthy diet lets the wounds heal at a fast pace. Your email address will not be published. How Long Do You Post Doberman Ears? - Doberman Site When cropping a Dobermans ears, we may think theres only one style. All Rights Reserved. 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! Subscribe to our e-mail list so youll be notified when these big changes come! Whereas in other countries, its often either completely outlawed or only permitted if its medically necessary. They will also go to great lengths to try and convince you to share their point of view. ), ask for advice about who did the cropping, and learn about the amount of time and commitment it takes to train the ears to stand properly. 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. There have been bills proposed to ban ear cropping in Michigan, but they have not yet been passed and implemented. The answer is better stated as a question: how did we end up with European Dobermans to begin with? Timing will vary, but taping typically lasts about 6 months and it can take as long as a year for a long crop.