Is cropping purely cosmetic?

It's all about an image and a standard, everything else is just opinion.

My first Doberman was natural eared, and swam in the pool everyday - all day long - and never had any issues, and the same with her son. I've had GD's some cropped, some not - no problems, and they have long heavy ears.

It is all about the "Look of Eagles"! Cropped Dobermans have it, natural ears don't.

Now if you are talking about the war dogs of the past, then the short military crop did serve a purpose other than looks - but that was then.
 
If it were purely cosmetic, does anyone think that the war dogs would really have had their ears cropped? Historically ears were cropped on working dogs for health reasons - to prevent ear infections and hematomas. These were working dogs who hunted or guarded live stock or even dog fights. No one cared how these dogs looked but only that they could perform their job. The dogs were outside dogs not inside pets. They didn't have regular grooming. Now that we have advanced as a society and have luxuries like air conditioning and keep our dogs indoors (for the most part) the actual medical reasons for cropping are diminished. Even veterinarians can't agree on whether it has any health benefits.
In my personal experience, I'm fairly certain Drogon would have had ear injuries if they weren't cropped. Many times when rough playing with other dogs, the other dog will go for his ears (and tail but that's another discussion)
 
Just a tid bit: I remember that my best friend of yesteryear had a GSD that was dog aggressive. I wasn't there for this incident, but it removed part, or all of a Cocker's ear.
 
I know that on scent hounds..Beagles, Bassets, Bloodhounds, etc,. the longer ears (which drag the ground while the dog is on scent )help to gather the scent and keep it around the dogs nose....(they kind of fall over their nose while their head is down) As far as other dogs in general, and Dobermans specifically, I had always heard that cropped ears were less likely to get torn in a fight. However, I dont really care why they crop, nor do I care if an owner does or doesnt.....Oh Little Oji...you are so right...can you just see a Bloodhound with cropped ears?!!!! Better yet, can you just imagine being the owner who tries to get that to work?!!! :shock:
 
katie's mom said:
I know that on scent hounds..Beagles, Bassets, Bloodhounds, etc,. the longer ears (which drag the ground while the dog is on scent )help to gather the scent and keep it around the dogs nose....(they kind of fall over their nose while their head is down) As far as other dogs in general, and Dobermans specifically, I had always heard that cropped ears were less likely to get torn in a fight. However, I dont really care why they crop, nor do I care if an owner does or doesnt.....Oh Little Oji...you are so right...can you just see a Bloodhound with cropped ears?!!!! Better yet, can you just imagine being the owner who tries to get that to work?!!! :shock:
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Yes, I was thinking earlier about the Bloodhound with its long ears that are said to gather scent. That's an example of floppy ears that do serve a purpose. Of course it's on a breed that mankind developed and is built specific to its purpose.
 
AresMyDobie said:
There is in all honest nothing natural about floppy ears on any animal. If it were healthier for an animal to have floppy ears why don't you see it occur naturally in wild canines or any other animal in the wild ?
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Excellent point.Wolf,coyote,dingo,hyena,etc,all erect ears.If anyone can show us a canine that is and has always been wild with floppy ears,I would love to see it.To play devils advocate though,an elephant would kick both our asses if it read this.:D
WiglWerm said:
the Rottweiler, also a guard dog with similar ears...not cropped. ;)
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Actually,the Rottie wasn't bred as a guard dog but rather a herding dog and pulled carts...for the butcher.They are great dogs.image.webpMy friends Rott,Sam,last March when we were at the desert.He decided he liked my truck:)
He is,by the way,100% deaf.
 
Gelcoater said:
Excellent point.Wolf,coyote,dingo,hyena,etc,all erect ears.If anyone can show us a canine that is and has always been wild with floppy ears,I would love to see it.To play devils advocate though,an elephant would kick both our asses if it read this.:D
Actually,the Rottie wasn't bred as a guard dog but rather a herding dog and pulled carts...for the butcher.They are great dogs.View attachment 60704My friends Rott,Sam,last March when we were at the desert.He decided he liked my truck:)
He is,by the way,100% deaf.
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My fiancé brought up the elephant, but no they do not have floppy ears. They are to the side but are not flopping over.
 
The examples of animals other than canines are entertaining. I don't see how the are relevant to the topic of dogs and other canines. I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering. Is the point that no animals in the wild have floppy ears, and that floppy ears in dogs is a trait developed by humans to suit our pet dog wishes?

The elephant pic posted by Gelcoater is an Asian or Indian elephant, while the one posted by AresMyDobie is an African. The Indian ears do appear, to my eye, to flop. Or, AresMyDobie, do you define "flop" as flop forward only?
 
Oh Little Oji said:
The examples of animals other than canines are entertaining. I don't see how the are relevant to the topic of dogs and other canines. I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering. Is the point that no animals in the wild have floppy ears, and that floppy ears in dogs is a trait developed by humans to suit our pet dog wishes?

The elephant pic posted by Gelcoater is an Asian or Indian elephant, while the one posted by AresMyDobie is an African. The Indian ears do appear, to my eye, to flop. Or, AresMyDobie, do you define "flop" as flop forward only?
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I define a flop as what it is, a flop. A folding over itself. Not hanging, an obvious flop. The ears do not flop over/fold over they are out and away from the head not against it. The canals are open to the air, an elephants ear should be described as a fan not a flopping ear.
 
AresMyDobie said:
Lol they don't flop ! Show me a floppy eared dog that can completely extend the ear and hold it! Yes they are long and to the side but it doesn't flop. I've studied elephants since childhood I'm one of the few that will say this but it's true. By obvious example they simply do not flop over. They are held to the side.
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Ah. I didn't know if Indian elephants were capable of flaring out the ears as shown in the examples of the African elephants. This is done as a show of aggression, or defensiveness, no? Just curious, and thought you'd be a good one to ask :)

So, maybe we should call "flying nun" Doberman ears "elephant ears" what with them extending out to the side? ;)

I have seen a pic or two of a Doberman with uncropped ears that are standing straight up, by the way, but I suppose this is not due to muscle control, rather due to the cartilage hardening in that position. ?
 
Oh Little Oji said:
Ah. I didn't know if Indian elephants were capable of flaring out the ears as shown in the examples of the African elephants. This is done as a show of aggression, or defensiveness, no? Just curious, and thought you'd be a good one to ask :)

So, maybe we should call "flying nun" Doberman ears "elephant ears" what with them extending out to the side? ;)

I have seen a pic or two of a Doberman with uncropped ears that are standing straight up, by the way, but I suppose this is not due to muscle control, rather due to the cartilage hardening in that position. ?
Click to expand...
All elephants can flare their ears :) me personally would say yes that it would show muscle control with a dobe that can perk up its floppy ears more thenjust a head wrinkle lol
Lol elephants are my most favorite animal. I find them incredible
 
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