I was looking around at a few Doberman breeder sites that I heard of, and I happened upon this explanation of one breeder's reasons for, and beliefs on,
C&D. This was on the Iconic Dobermans website. They are located in Tucson, which is interesting to me because that's where I grew up and I still have family there. Iconic's Dobermans look pretty well put together – look like confo. Dobes but I get the sense there is some emphasis put on working. I am betting they are quite a bit over my price range though.
The reasons cited below for C&D are avoiding injury to tails and ears during work, as well as better hearing, and fewer health problems than with pendulous ears. I have more reasons than that, as can be found in this thread; but interesting read.
– Tad
01/11/2020
Beautifully written!!!! I unapologetically crop & dock my pure, responsibly & purposely bred Dobermans. I also support a breeder's right to choose what is best for their puppies.
I own purebred dogs that are cropped and docked, and I am not going to apologize for it. I am not inviting anyone into a debate, nor am I saying that anyone has to support my opinion as I write this; thanks to our current environment a lot has been going through my mind and I wanted to get it out, so to speak.
My dogs are happy, they are healthy, and they are well-adjusted. For the most part they have been born in our home, and raised here. We provide them with the best start in life... a stimulating environment, the best possible care, quality food and supplementation, training, love and respect. They share our home, and are permanent fixtures where ever we are most every day, be it on the couch, or traveling with us. They are an important part of our family, and we love them very, very much.
When they are born here, I make a decision to crop and dock. I do this because I feel it is the best decision for my pet, it provides them the benefits that their creator, Herr Dobermann designed them for since he could not breed in these desired traits... To have an erect ear that is less likely to be caught and damaged, to have an erect conical shaped ear that will quickly hear and target danger or concerns, and to have an erect ear that provides the ventilation and easy care and maintenance to lessen the health issues of pendulous ears. Much is the same with the tail, which is taken to the second joint so that the dog can be spared unnecessary pain and damage by catching it, or by striking it. That is my opinion on why I crop and dock. To me, it is not done because it looks ‘cool’, though there is an acknowledged factor of intimidation of an erect ear by some. I can assure you that 120 years ago, the least thing on Her Dobermann’s mind was how ‘cool’ his dog looked. He was needed and designed an animal that would help preserve his life when doing his job, and he needed that dog that dog to be easy to maintain, and devoted to his master. Hence, the Doberman was designed.
When we crop and dock, we do it under the care of a professional. Our veterinarians are very conscientious on their task, and like all other surgeries, the dog is well attended and the procedure is done under anesthesia, with pain management and infection control always put in place post-op. We are super diligent with our post operative care, and puppies stay with us until stitches are out, ears are healed and they are ready for first taping; or when just when fully healed, in the case of tails. We provide education and supervision for every one of our puppy people on ear posting and see them through the taping process right to the time the ears stand.
In my lifetime, I have never observed a puppy having a reaction to an ear crop or tail dock that is worse than any other surgery (such as pediatric spay). In fact it is routine for them to be up eating and playing and being puppies within hours. Many cannot say that with other more invasive procedures routinely performed and accepted by society as ‘good’, such as spays and neuters. The procedures (crop/dock) do not have long term effects, they do not change the dog mentally or physically other than appearance, and they do provide actual benefits that are not just cosmetic.
Considering all of this, I wonder why anyone would think that any breeder, who gives their heart and soul to a litter would stand by and willingly allow them to subject to ‘cruelty’ by choice? If I honestly thought it was a ‘cruel’ procedure, and affected my puppies for life, or even temporarily I would not be doing it. It’s insulting to people like myself, who dedicate a significant portion of their hearts and lives to these animals, to insinuate that we would do so with the knowledge it is truly hurtful. If I truly felt that was happening, I would not be doing it, as a matter of fact, I would not be in the breed, period. Breeders are not villains here. They are making educated, caring decisions on behalf of the animals they bred and own. Of course, there are always the few bad apples, as in any group, but do the whole really need to be punished for the few? If so, our society is in serious trouble in so many areas.
Too much in today's world is being forced upon others, in response to the ignorant, feeling based judgement of some others. These same judgements and assumptions are being forced into society through or educational institutions as well as more influential societal formats, such as social media. People, we need to practice some critical thinking skills, and provide some objectivity when we are looking at things outside our wheelhouse in this world. There is a huge amount of forceful action and funding to promote some scary things going on globally due to elite group think, and it is not rational, nor in the best interest of the many. I am continually shocked at how few just accept and refuse to educate or question on so much.
I own purebred, cropped and docked dogs; I care about them and I care for them, and I am not going to apologize for it.
Vodcast with the editor-in-chief of the Petfood Industry & Watt media - Debbie Phillips-Donaldson
For the full version of this vodcast with more discussion on other hot topics, visit here Inside Scoop, facebook's new elite feature (free entry for a week)
01/22/2020
A few pictures of our Handsome, Brock, Iconic's the Winds of Winter. Owned by Jess and Dan Dufour.
01/19/2020
Just had to add one more photo of the gorgeous girls from yesterday. Miss Envy and her daughter, Mattis!!
01/18/2020
Mother Envy and daughter Mattis reunited today at the Rose City Classic dog show in Portland. Mattis is a beauty and has so much potential. Thank you to owner- handler Melissa Mccain-Jones for showing her in the conformation ring!
to have to vet everything you do and say!
