Getting Publicly Shamed for Ear Cropping :/

[jazzies mum]

ummmm i actually just saw some interesting facts on this. They said that you don't see floppy ears on animals in the wild and there's a reason for that: They're more hygienic, they're more efficient at pinpointing sounds, they can't be grabbed onto in an attack situation, and they're more expressive so easier for other animals to read their body language. I believe Dobe's had naturally standing ears and with cross breeding, lost them?

Yes, that all makes sense and I have wondered what impact it makes on the hearing. Jazz is all natural as that is the law in Australia, and she seems to hear very well indeed, but whether her pinpointing of direction is as good, not sure. The only thing I might disagree on is that having had dogs with standing ears before and Jazz being the only floppy eared dog, I have noticed that her ears remain a LOT cleaner! This is a dirty and dusty environment and the standing ear dogs could grow potatoes in their ears if not cleaned out.
I don't have strong feelings about C/D, but would probably have chosen to have Jazz docked if there had been that choice. I think I'm too lazy to go through all that posting though! It should be personal choice with no comeback from anyone else whose business it isn't!

 

[Max Hawk]

Although I know some will disagree but I don't believe there is one medical advantage to cropping! At one time it was done mainly to leave nothing or very little to grab on to ..so the dog could attack more effectively ( nothing to grab). I know advocates of cropping come up with medical reasons but I'm not a believer in any of them... these days it's mainly for vanity..the crops have gotten longer on the show dogs etc..simply for looks..I have had dogs with floppy ears that have no issues with their ears etc...IMHO. I crop my dogs and I do so because I like how they look period. I always say it's not the nicest thing I have ever done to my dog. I love all Dobermans so I am not against floppy ears either..I like the choice to crop or not. The tradition is a breed that is cropped and docked and that is how many people prefer them.
I can for sure come up with more negatives to cropping than positives. Reality bites but pups can die in the process ..although rarely when done by a vet but with anything humans do there can be abuses. When the aftercare is done poorly or carelessly bad infections and even loss of an ear can happen.. I would hope that most people educate themselves thoroughly before deciding to crop and have the after care for their puppy. Sadly I have seen quite a few that don't get a clue or they find out to late that they lack the knowledge to take care of their pups the right way. When everything is done the right way with a vet and a good owner they suffer some minor pain but like any surgery it has some pain and healing time. I would hope that first time Doberman owners would buy from a breeder who has the pups cropped so they can have a good outcome. Good breeder will usually keep the pups until the ears are ready to wrap and help the new owners with finishing the ears. Wow sorry I had no idea how wordy I would get here! lol Right or wrong is for the individual to decided but the amazing thing is our dogs love us anyway unconditionally so we owe it to them to get it right!

 

[ArdynBane]

I feel very lucky that I never had to deal with confrontations like that... Whether it be in public, puppy class, in public, etc. I was actually more so surprised that a man in a TRUCK literally blocked my sidewalk to ask where I got my dobie's ears croppped. Cropping is likely to be banned here soon, so people are desperate to look for a vet to do them.

The worst I got was probably a dirty stare on a walk, but I gave a dirty glare back and she went on. Other comments I received often was "What happened to his ears?" but it was a genuine lack of knowledge about cropping.

 

[GennyB]

Hm.........sounds like I differ from most people when I get confronted by someone that wants to share their uneducated opinion with me. My inner witch just can't seem to resist the opportunity to come out and play. I usually start with something like 'Since you just had to rudely share your unsolicited opinion let me return the favor. Then I proceed to point out that I do not have a ring in my nose that is pulled around by the whacko AR train,politely of course. I explain that I did my research and actually witnessed pups being cropped and observed them post op and know that the AR activist are pouring koolaid that is tainted with their agenda that education will dispel.
Of course I have to point out that it is usually someone holding the leash of an untrained dog that is behaving like the devil and is at least 10 pounds overweight. Which I point out is way more painful and cruel to the dog than an ear cropping ever is.
I don't care if you wish to keep your dog 'natural', it's your dog! I just want to keep my right to do so. So I won't keep my mouth shut while the AR train drives away with my rights. While I may still lose, I'm going to fight!

 

[Brioddy]

Max Hawk said it best, IMO! I actually have more issue with Rios ears that are upright than my other two that are rose and “all over” lol as his are prone to getting water in them! Mine all swim, splash and play a lot in my creek or if we go hiking so it is a concern.

 

[Rocky2017]

Hi guys.

I went to PetSmart yesterday to pick up some items for my baby who I have not even picked up yet.
As soon as I walked through the doors, an employee approaches us and greets my sisters German Shepherd puppy and we have a little conversation.
After a while, I try to excuse myself from the conversation so I can start shopping. She asks what I’m shopping for and I tell her I’m picking up some essentials for my Doberman puppy and she refers me to her veterinarian friend who knows a lot about the breed. My sister then suggests we could ask her about ear cropping.
Instantly the employee looks taken aback and I already know what’s coming. She basically shouts, “Why? For cosmetics? Aesthetics? You know it’s banned in Germany and they’re getting better about it here in America so why are you wanting to do this?”
I already don’t enjoy pushy people like that, and there she goes causing a scene and shaming us for trying to uphold the Doberman standard and characteristics. I didn’t even have him with me I can’t imagine what people are going to say when he’s out with his posts. It really bothers me. I completely respect people’s decision to leave their dog natural but when it’s my dog, my choice, my business, and the most important, I’m here to buy from your store and you’re supposed to make my experience a good one.

I was just wondering, for those that do crop/dock their dobes, has this ever happened to you and what do you say when people do this?

One day i was looking for prong collar and it was not easy to find them in the pet store in Toronto, so I saw it on the PetSmart web site, and went to the store to see if i can buy it there, so i asked employee about it OMG, she looks at me like she saw and said that they never sell this horrible staff, well i have to show her a picture of the prong on PetSmart website , but anyway i feel like i torture my dog in front of her eyesMy dog has cropping ears , no negative comments so far , only when i was posting them some ppl ask , but no in negative way but i dont want to go with him to Pet Smart for sure!!!

 

[Lizbeli]

Isn't it great when people feel the need to force their opinions on others? They can go up to a dog thats 20lbs overweight and say that he is adorable and squeeze his cheeks; but take one look at a fit, healthy dog and complain about the ears? Clearly the dog is suffering

I am not a fan of Petsmart to begin with. I read somewhere that they have bans on certain breeds when they hold events. Not sure if that is even true anymore.

I don't waste my time with rude people. I just say "oh yea good for you." Smile, and walk away. Chances are I'll never see that person again anyways XD

 

[Max Hawk]

Hm.........sounds like I differ from most people when I get confronted by someone that wants to share their uneducated opinion with me. My inner witch just can't seem to resist the opportunity to come out and play. I usually start with something like 'Since you just had to rudely share your unsolicited opinion let me return the favor. Then I proceed to point out that I do not have a ring in my nose that is pulled around by the whacko AR train,politely of course. I explain that I did my research and actually witnessed pups being cropped and observed them post op and know that the AR activist are pouring koolaid that is tainted with their agenda that education will dispel.
Of course I have to point out that it is usually someone holding the leash of an untrained dog that is behaving like the devil and is at least 10 pounds overweight. Which I point out is way more painful and cruel to the dog than an ear cropping ever is.
I don't care if you wish to keep your dog 'natural', it's your dog! I just want to keep my right to do so. So I won't keep my mouth shut while the AR train drives away with my rights. While I may still lose, I'm going to fight!

You go girl and remind me never to tangle with ya! lol I may have been more militant years ago but now I'm just content to stay as far away from most people as possible. ..I applaud ya though sparky and I'll let you do the fighting.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Although I know some will disagree but I don't believe there is one medical advantage to cropping!

I know there is a lot more to what you wrote, but I will just offer that there is at least one thing that could be considered a health benefit – albeit a preemptive one: If your Doberman gets in a scrap with another dog, it is much less likely to get a lacerated ear if the ears are cropped.

 

[GennyB]

You go girl and remind me never to tangle with ya! lol I may have been more militant years ago but now I'm just content to stay as far away from most people as possible. ..I applaud ya though sparky and I'll let you do the fighting.

Believe it or not I agree with you. I could be happy on an island with just my family and dogs.
There are just a few things that get under my skin. Probably the biggest being people insisting I live my life their way. Seems everybody has an agenda they need to push down your throat. The thing that gets my goat as far as anti cropping is the loudest voices know nothing about it. They've seen a horror story with pics put out by the AR agenda on social media and assume that's how it's done. I just ask you know what you are talking about before you go ramming your agenda down my throat. It's even more insulting to me when someone I know wants to debate this with me. ANYONE that knows me knows I would NEVER harm one of my animals.

 

[Brioddy]

I have something I read that I found very interesting, and is remotely related so I will share.

In the 50s Russians had fox farms where they raised foxes for their fur. Well the foxes were very vicious, and exceedingly hard to tend to. So they started a program where they only bred the friendliest of the foxes for the next five generations. The result was foxes that would wag their tail, rub up on the humans and actively seek out human attention. BUT what is amazing to me is the physical changes. Foxes appeared with floppy ears! Spots and patches in their coat colors! Very “modern dog like” features, and keep in mind that the ONLY trait that was selectively bred for was their willingness and friendly nature towards people.

 

[NateDrake237]

Hi Everyone

New to the chat but would just like to say that this thread has really eased some of my worries about getting a docked and cropped Dobie.

Our beloved GSD has recently passed away and we're just not the same without having a Dog in our lives. We've decided to go with a Doberman as our next Dog as there will only ever be one GSD for us and just started to look into it. Both my wife and I love the look of the cropped and docked and we're in the UK so we would be importing him.

As someone who is bald (not my fault) and tattooed (totally my fault) and walked a GSD for 9 years, I'm used to people crossing the road and giving me filthy/petrified looks. If anyone had ever taken the time to know the dog then they would have seen what a lovely, gentle soul he was and how loved and well looked after he was.

I'm digressing but would just like to say how nice it is to read a nice, open chat where people can express their opinions without being made to feel like a bad dog owner. The other forum is a little bit hostile for me.

Some of these comments have really made me laugh.

My wife is a Dog Groomer so hopefully can show me the ways regarding the Posting!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Hi Everyone

New to the chat but would just like to say that this thread has really eased some of my worries about getting a docked and cropped Dobie.

Our beloved GSD has recently passed away and we're just not the same without having a Dog in our lives. We've decided to go with a Doberman as our next Dog as there will only ever be one GSD for us and just started to look into it. Both my wife and I love the look of the cropped and docked and we're in the UK so we would be importing him.

As someone who is bald (not my fault) and tattooed (totally my fault) and walked a GSD for 9 years, I'm used to people crossing the road and giving me filthy/petrified looks. If anyone had ever taken the time to know the dog then they would have seen what a lovely, gentle soul he was and how loved and well looked after he was.

I'm digressing but would just like to say how nice it is to read a nice, open chat where people can express their opinions without being made to feel like a bad dog owner. The other forum is a little bit hostile for me.

Some of these comments have really made me laugh.

My wife is a Dog Groomer so hopefully can show me the ways regarding the Posting!

Welcome! I too am used to people seeming uncomfortable with me. I don't have any tattoos, but I did shave my head for a while years ago.

Really, though, I don't think it's that prevalent for people to view a C/D Doberman as something to be derided. Feared probably, but hey, that's the way I want it! I have a Doberman. I didn't want a dog with a soft, inviting look. This breed can be so many things, but it was designed to be a bodyguard. Not only do I admire that heritage, but that is exactly what I want from my Dobe.

Anyway, I'm just giving my opinion; but my main point is that I don't find a C/D dog to carry too much stigma except for with hardcore animal rights folks. Perhaps it's somewhat different in the UK. ?

Funny, regarding that other forum: I got the same sense.

 

[Kaiser2016]

As someone who is bald (not my fault) and tattooed (totally my fault) and walked a GSD for 9 years, I'm used to people crossing the road and giving me filthy/petrified looks.

This made me

 

[Viemarangelrock]

Hi Everyone

New to the chat but would just like to say that this thread has really eased some of my worries about getting a docked and cropped Dobie.

Our beloved GSD has recently passed away and we're just not the same without having a Dog in our lives. We've decided to go with a Doberman as our next Dog as there will only ever be one GSD for us and just started to look into it. Both my wife and I love the look of the cropped and docked and we're in the UK so we would be importing him.

As someone who is bald (not my fault) and tattooed (totally my fault) and walked a GSD for 9 years, I'm used to people crossing the road and giving me filthy/petrified looks. If anyone had ever taken the time to know the dog then they would have seen what a lovely, gentle soul he was and how loved and well looked after he was.

I'm digressing but would just like to say how nice it is to read a nice, open chat where people can express their opinions without being made to feel like a bad dog owner. The other forum is a little bit hostile for me.

Some of these comments have really made me laugh.

My wife is a Dog Groomer so hopefully can show me the ways regarding the Posting!

Hi, and a warm welcome to DCF from Cornwall

My rescue girl, Tara (Dobermann Rescue UK & Europe) is C/D. Someone will always pass judgement. You’ll learn to grow a thick skin and shrug it off!

 

[NateDrake237]

My rescue girl, Tara (Dobermann Rescue UK & Europe) is C/D. Someone will always pass judgement. You’ll learn to grow a thick skin and shrug it off!

She is lovely and a lovely part of the country for her to run around in.
I'm in Worthing, West Sussex so not too far away from beaches and downs.

Could I ask a follow up question as you're in the UK like me. Did you have any resistance from Vets about taking Tara on or did they need to see any paperwork etc?

 

[Viemarangelrock]

Could I ask a follow up question as you're in the UK like me. Did you have any resistance from Vets about taking Tara on or did they need to see any paperwork etc?

Ask away, I’m more than happy to help

I work opposite the vets office and know all the staff very well (which helps) I’ve never experienced any resistance at the vets with Tara. She’s a cruelty case and they were informed of that before she had her first visit. They did request to see her passport, which was absolutely fine. How well do you know your vet? Do you have a good relationship?

 

[NateDrake237]

Over the last year or so, I seem to have been in the vets a lot so feel like I know them fairly well. Arnie had some fairly horrendous luck towards the end so we were in there a fair bit. I can always give them a bell and just ask I suppose. Just being lazy I guess! ha ha.
The breeders I have looked at online (or brokers I guess) state that all dogs comes with the passport and appropriate paperwork so I guess that is enough for anyone who tips off the RSPCA or something

 

[Viemarangelrock]

I’ve never imported but through experience of others I’ve learnt that doing your research is top priority. Demand to see health test results and DNA testing. Check that the breeder is knowledgeable and open to answering questions about temperament and health in their lines.
Health certificates for holter monitor and Doppler (EHCO) must be within a year prior to breeding.
Other tests...Eyes, vWD & Hips/Elbows.

Make sure the breeder complies with all your requirements.

 

[NateDrake237]

I’ve never imported but through experience of others I’ve learnt that doing your research is top priority. Demand to see health test results and DNA testing. Check that the breeder is knowledgeable and open to answering questions about temperament and health in their lines.
Health certificates for holter monitor and Doppler (EHCO) must be within a year prior to breeding.
Other tests...Eyes, vWD & Hips/Elbows.

Make sure the breeder complies with all your requirements.

Thank you for all your advice. Yeah I'm finding that I'm doing much more research this time!
Some seem more forthcoming than others. I haven't actually contacted any as of yet, just had a look at their websites.
I will keep you posted about where I go from here though (maybe on a different thread as I know this is a little off topic)