Zeus&Metis
Member
In the next couple of weeks, we will be getting Athena's ears cropped. Military style. Any advice on after care techniques? Thanks for all the help! :]
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Ear Cropping & Posting
- Thread starter Zeus&Metis
- Start date
StarlightDobe
Hot Topics Subscriber
just curious why you chose the military style? I know its the shortest of the styles, I had thought that most often it was only used on police or service dogs (military). My l;ast dobe had a pet crop, and my current 2 have a medium crop, kind of in between pet and show.
Dobs4ever
Hot Topics Subscriber
Please do some research as the military style was not a style that fits the Doberman at all. In the long run I dod not believe you will be happy with it as it causes the head to appear misshappen. A nice medium crop will stand nicely without a lot of fuss if that is what you are wanting to avoid. I would not crop after 12 to 14 weeks at the latest.
The military crop as it is called was primarily for the bully breeds and looks good on their head structure.
The military crop as it is called was primarily for the bully breeds and looks good on their head structure.
I agree, the military crop is not the best look for a Doberman.
Here's a good thread with a ton of different photos of everyone's different crop styles, so I'd browse through that and if you find a particular one you like you can print it out and bring it to the vet so you can show him exactly what you'd like. http://www.doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/crop-pics-lets-see-your-style.1331/
As for the after care to get them to stand nicely, here's the link to a thread with step by step instructions on how to post the ears after they're healed.
http://www.doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/doberman-ear-posting-improved-method.11167/
Here's a good thread with a ton of different photos of everyone's different crop styles, so I'd browse through that and if you find a particular one you like you can print it out and bring it to the vet so you can show him exactly what you'd like. http://www.doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/crop-pics-lets-see-your-style.1331/
As for the after care to get them to stand nicely, here's the link to a thread with step by step instructions on how to post the ears after they're healed.
http://www.doberman-chat.com/community/index.php?threads/doberman-ear-posting-improved-method.11167/
Marinegeekswife
Hot Topics Subscriber
I have to echo the others. Why a military crop? It really doesn't flatter the Dobe's head, especially a female. You are also cutting it close for the window for cropping. Usually after 12 weeks you're asking for trouble. If you want a shorter crop I recommend the medium/pet crop. It is short enough to stand fairly easily but long enough to still complement the Dobe's head. As far as aftercare techniques, what exactly are you looking for? There are several posts in the puppy section on how to post the ears after the stitches are removed. You'll also want to be very careful to keep the ears clean and dry.
Zeus&Metis
Member
We chose a military crop because we liked the way it looks. They look kind of funny when the ears are too long. The military crops we've seen online don't look abnormal at all (to us). And she has small ears to begin with, so they can really only look good with a shorter crop. And I asked the vet who will be doing them if she was going to be too old, and he said no. He's also very known around here (Southern California) for doing great work with Dobes. I know a few people (one is my neighbor!) who have gone to him and had their Dobes cropped. But I will definitely take a look at the other threads! :]
Zeus&Metis
Member
Looking through the thread with the pictures of ear crops, it looks as though the medium style is the same as the military. All of the military cuts we have seen look almost exactly like the medium. So maybe it used to be shorter?
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Make sure you ask the vet for pictures of other clients dog that have had the military crop done by him. You will be able to see if they are pretty consistent with each other. Also be sure to bring in pics of the style of crop you'd like done so you are more guaranteed to get the results that you would like. 12 weeks is usually the cut off date for cropping. Good luck!
It may be that this particular vet is referring to it as a military crop when it's actually a medium crop.
Here's a pic of a military crop.
Short
The Working "Shortest" Crop
The Working Crop "Often referred to as the Military crop" this crop is used for dogs that will be in the working fields, and do not need the extra ear to become torn, or injured or in the way, the dog has a sleeker look and ears are not as prone to injuries while working .This is the most common crop used for active Patrol and police type dogs, sentry dogs and Schutzhund sport dogs. These crops take nearly nothing to train to stand on their own, unlike the longer crops.
This is the shortest crop of the three types most commonly used.
Size of the ear crop in length is done for various reasons, The shortest crop, is for a working dog, as the original ear crops where done so that the Doberman could do protection work and have NO "handles" for the "Bad guys" to grab, such as ears and tails, a dog that does work in protection and other fields of work are cropped shorter for the ears protection. The short ear normally is the fastest to stand, with less ear to "Train up" it is normally up at first to fourth taping session.
Dobs4ever
Hot Topics Subscriber
If the example shown is what she is talking about then it would be ok. Not beautiful but acceptable. When I see the miliatry crop it is usually the very short crop like on the pits and very ugly on the Doberman. If she has short ears you just leave more length on them to get the length you want.
michellewallace
Notable member
Nonnie has a medium crop. She's only 5.5 months and this is what it looks like.
My vet didn't give me any other option, she only does one cut. She also doesn't want to do them after they are 8 weeks old (luckily I got Nonnie when she was 7 weeks). My vet also does it with laser and recovery time, with posting/bandages was 10 days and they stood up as soon as she took the bandages off. Here's a pic of her with her ears taped and posted. I didn't have to change anything either, it just stayed on for 10 days.
My vet didn't give me any other option, she only does one cut. She also doesn't want to do them after they are 8 weeks old (luckily I got Nonnie when she was 7 weeks). My vet also does it with laser and recovery time, with posting/bandages was 10 days and they stood up as soon as she took the bandages off. Here's a pic of her with her ears taped and posted. I didn't have to change anything either, it just stayed on for 10 days.
Marinegeekswife
Hot Topics Subscriber
If the examples that have been posted are what you're going for then that would be an okay look. Our boy has a medium crop and it seems to fit him just fine. The military crop is NOT the same as the medium crop. You'll want to be sure to take photos in to your vet to be sure he understands exactly what you're looking for. In the end the style and length you go with is completely up to you. We're just trying to give you some insight.
Michellewallace - If you notice, Nonnie's ears are just a slight bit "floppy" they would stand up much prettier and straighter if you would post for a short while. It isn't too late to post if you want them to stand a little better. Up to you, of course.
Michellewallace - If you notice, Nonnie's ears are just a slight bit "floppy" they would stand up much prettier and straighter if you would post for a short while. It isn't too late to post if you want them to stand a little better. Up to you, of course.
Denissov43
Notable member
Jess: Nonnie's ears are not floppy at all. She has a slightly tipping in tip because the bell is too wide of a flare at the base of the ears. This is an example of a wide bell that is too wide. She will probably grow into it, but it cannot stand up straight like you see in a long show crop with the open base bell. This tip is quite pretty, but the bell is far too wide. This vet does not do Dobermans' well... If those were my dogs ears I would have had them retrimmed when I saw them after 10 days. That bell makes her look 'bat eared".... a medium crop is quite old fashioned anymore. The show crop is the most recent derivation of the Doberman crop. A medium long show crop is probably the most attractive unless you are showing and then you need the long show crop and in the they like that "Knife edge' straight look and in Europe they prefer the ear tips to curve gracefully back and its so pretty.... I do not like the long show crops in the USA.... just too sharp and straight and too long.
this is a very pretty medium show crop.... and the tips curve beautifully...
this is a very pretty medium show crop.... and the tips curve beautifully...
Zeus&Metis
Member
The picture that Jan posted is EXACTLY what we want. We think the longer crops look ugly on a doberman (no offense!) but to each his own :] but I will definitely be taking some pictures in with me so the doctor knows what we want. They also crop over here up until 14 weeks, and she will be exactly that when she gets them done. (I think I may have messed up on the little age ticker in the signature lol)
Denissov43
Notable member
You would probably like this crop! it is way too short for his head and when they grow into their head it looks every shorter... makes them lose their elegance... shame too.... so much prettier 1" -2" longer!
StarlightDobe
Hot Topics Subscriber
my girl Mysti had a standard pet crop, done by a vet of her breeders choice, and she looked very pretty. My second girl, Nexus had a crop that appeared to be longer when she was done, I think it is still a bit longer than Mysti's, and Bella's are longer still than Nexus's. Both of the girls I have now were done by the same vet but he works with how he feels will look bets on each dog, and I think he did a great job on both dogs.
This is Mysti (older dog) and Nexus( not quite done growing into her ears yet) together. Mysti's ears arent real short, but not the real long show crop either.
This is Bella, still a puppy and growing into her ears, we still had one taped due to it flopping, and Nexus a little older, she is pretty much done growing now so this is what she will look like.
This is Mysti (older dog) and Nexus( not quite done growing into her ears yet) together. Mysti's ears arent real short, but not the real long show crop either.
This is Bella, still a puppy and growing into her ears, we still had one taped due to it flopping, and Nexus a little older, she is pretty much done growing now so this is what she will look like.
Our boxer had a "very" short crop too since the breeder said "have the vet crop them short so they'll stand", and being my first cropped dog I listened to her, but really wish I would have known more at the time. I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the crop of your choice, but as stated, I'd definitely bring a photo in so there are no misunderstandings. 
Zeus&Metis
Member
I didn't know boxers got their ears cropped. The military crop pictures that we've seen were literally from World War II when they actually used the dogs. It looks to be about as long maybe a tad bit shorter than the medium crop of today. But like I said, I will definitely be bringing in some pictures to show the doctor. Thank you everyone for your input! It is greatly appreciated! :]
Oh yes, Boxers are like Dobe's and many get them cropped, but others leave them natural these days.
Ears
Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull, the ears are customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering, and raised when alert. If uncropped, the ears should be of moderate size, thin, lying flat and close to the cheeks in repose, but falling forward with a definite crease when alert. (From the AKC)
http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/
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