Is cropping purely cosmetic?

[Archer]

Ares I see the link info for the Cane Corso...floppy ears with working dogs causing issues...but this does not seem to make sense. Hence the Labrador retriever...water dogs, hunting, not cropped. So although the article info makes sense, the logic doesn't.

A working dog is different from a sporting dog. Hunting dogs (Labs etc) are a SPORTING breed. Totally different and you can't even compare their job to that of a working breed. The logic does make sense.

As far as working breeds, they are all bred for different jobs. A Doberman was bred for personal protection. Their ears are cropped for multiple reasons. First and foremost is for sound localization. Dobermans need to have an accurate ability to pick up on acute sounds. A few seconds of not picking up an a threat could be the difference between life or death. Second reason is for protection for the actual dog. Cropped ears make it less difficult for an attacker to grab on to the ears to hurt the dog, or keep it away. The tail is docked for the same reason. The Doberman was bred for a specific purpose. Although this purpose as not used as much in our day and age, the breed standard for the Doberman was originally written for the dog to have "normally cropped ears and a docked tail". People who continue to crop and dock do so to hold up to the breed standard. It is done in respect to the breed standard. People who claim that cropping and docking are performed for purely for cosmetic reasons do not understand the point behind a breed standard without which, we would not have many of the breeds we know and love today.

I am so tired of hearing the BS AR agenda about cropping and docking I could scream. If people want a floppy eared dog, choose a breed that has floppy ears. A Doberman does not. We live in a society where everyone wants their cake and to eat it too. I understand that a Doberman is a Doberman no matter what the ears look like, but there is a standard for a reason. Just stating my thoughts...this is just my vent, not in response to what anyone said or their opinions I also have to add that I think a Doberman is beautiful regardless of the status of their ears. But to me, the rules are finite. A cropped breed should be cropped.

 

[Archer]

Now that I've distracted with my unimportant question, I'll also add that cropping a breed of dog that has not been traditionally cropped would most likely result in ears that will not stand; yet we expect Dobermans' ears to stand if cropped and posted well. This makes me think that there has to be something in the breeding of this breed that has developed dogs whose ears are prone to standing.

Actually, they were originally bred to have erect ears naturally. That changed when they found a temperament issue in the first Dobermans. They bred other dogs into the line to alter the temperament, which resulted in the floppy ears we see today. Any dog with a floppy ear can be posted to have their ears stand (albeit it doesn't work for every dog. There are some Dobermans who don't have ears that stand with posting). It has to do with cartilage.

 

[WiglWerm]

I am so tired of hearing the BS AR agenda about cropping and docking I could scream. If people want a floppy eared dog, choose a breed that has floppy ears. A Doberman does not.

This post was ORIGINALLY about the HEALTH benefits to cropping. Nothing else. And technically it does.

 

[TheDoctor'sMom]

This post was ORIGINALLY about the HEALTH benefits to cropping. Nothing else. And technically it does.

Technically, the dog is born with floppy ears, but that was never the intention for the breed. It was the result of adding in additional breeds to get the temperament that was desired. The Doberman was always a cropped/docked dog until AR agenda got involved. That is how the standard was written, there were no deviances. Now, everything is changing because people want to cater to those that make the biggest fuss and spew the largest lies. That is the only reason the standard allows for a uncropped/docked Doberman.

As the owner of an uncropped, I can't tell you how many times I have had people think that I sympathize with them on the vulgarity and cruelty of cropping. I waste zero breaths in dispelling their claims.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

This post was ORIGINALLY about the HEALTH benefits to cropping. Nothing else. And technically it does.

Well actually, it was not only about the health benefits of cropping. It is about: Is cropping purely cosmetic? Health is one aspect of the discussion. The main reason I point that out is that I don't want future posts to be limited to health only. I want the entire spectrum discussed. I think it's an interesting and useful one!

 

[TheDoctor'sMom]

Well actually, it was not only about the health benefits of cropping. It is about: Is cropping purely cosmetic? Health is one aspect of the discussion.

I sat back and waited for this post

 

[Archer]

This post was ORIGINALLY about the HEALTH benefits to cropping. Nothing else. And technically it does.

No need to be snarky and if you read what I wrote about the standard they do and therefore you missed my point entirely. Like stated above, the title is about questioning if cropping is "Purely Cosmetic", which in my eyes is not about health issues at all, so if you meant it to be about health issues you should have worded it that way.

 

[Archer]

Technically, the dog is born with floppy ears, but that was never the intention for the breed. It was the result of adding in additional breeds to get the temperament that was desired. The Doberman was always a cropped/docked dog until AR agenda got involved. That is how the standard was written, there were no deviances. Now, everything is changing because people want to cater to those that make the biggest fuss and spew the largest lies. That is the only reason the standard allows for a uncropped/docked Doberman.

As the owner of an uncropped, I can't tell you how many times I have had people think that I sympathize with them on the vulgarity and cruelty of cropping. I waste zero breaths in dispelling their claims.

Amen Jess. Well stated

 

[WiglWerm]

I was not being snarky, (I should have highlighted instead of capital?)....but I do believe the comment:

If people want a floppy eared dog, choose a breed that has floppy ears.

is a bit narrow minded. If the breed could not, in fact, be docked or crop would you still own dobermans? I personally have owned many different breeds and to me nothing compares to the intelligence, loyalty and velcro-ism of the doberman. It would be a terrible shame if legislation did take a way this right but I must agree whole hardheartedly with

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.

 

[Ingrid H]

As the owner of an uncropped, I can't tell you how many times I have had people think that I sympathize with them on the vulgarity and cruelty of cropping. I waste zero breaths in dispelling their claims.

The same thing happens to me. People say, "Oh, I'm so glad you didn't have his ears cut! That's so cruel!" I just say I had every intention to have him cropped but I got laid off from my job and couldn't justify spending the money just then. Once in awhile I get someone who tells me that Hans just isn't the same as a real Doberman with his natural ears, but I think I've only heard that twice- both times from former cropped Doberman owners. My answer to them is the same. I intended to have it done.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

The same thing happens to me. People say, "Oh, I'm so glad you didn't have his ears cut! That's so cruel!" I just say I had every intention to have him cropped but I got laid off from my job and couldn't justify spending the money just then. Once in awhile I get someone who tells me that Hans just isn't the same as a real Doberman with his natural ears, but I think I've only heard that twice- both times from former cropped Doberman owners. My answer to them is the same. I intended to have it done.

If someone calls a Doberman "not a real Doberman" – or however it is worded – because it did not get its ears cropped, that person is, quite frankly, an idiot. What about a cropped-but-flopped Dobe? Would that be a semi-real Doberman?

I'm pro-crop, but come on!

 

[Ingrid H]

If someone calls a Doberman "not a real Doberman" – or however it is worded – because it did not get its ears cropped, that person is, quite frankly, an idiot. What about a cropped-but-flopped Dobe? Would that be a semi-real Doberman?

I'm pro-crop, but come on!

Yeah, I think that's how it goes. A cropped and flopped Doberman is semi-real.

 

[MyBuddy]

I am so tired of hearing the BS AR agenda about cropping and docking I could scream. If people want a floppy eared dog, choose a breed that has floppy ears. A Doberman does not. We live in a society where everyone wants their cake and to eat it too. I understand that a Doberman is a Doberman no matter what the ears look like, but there is a standard for a reason. Just stating my thoughts...this is just my vent, not in response to what anyone said or their opinions I also have to add that I think a Doberman is beautiful regardless of the status of their ears. But to me, the rules are finite. A cropped breed should be cropped.

I'm going to be lazy and just quote this paragraph for my 'answer' to the thread.

Is cropping purely cosmetic? No, its the standard.

 

[Gelcoater]

If someone calls a Doberman "not a real Doberman" – or however it is worded – because it did not get its ears cropped, that person is, quite frankly, an idiot. What about a cropped-but-flopped Dobe? Would that be a semi-real Doberman?

I'm pro-crop, but come on!

I have been skimming to keep up with this thread(was real busy yesterday) but I get a kick out of your post.
I have two "semi real" Dobermans.
If someone were to come through my gate un announced and they ripped the ass of that person,would the wounds and ambulance ride be semi real too?

 

[Gelcoater]

Not to worry intruders.Those teeth are only semi real.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I have been skimming to keep up with this thread(was real busy yesterday) but I get a kick out of your post.
I have two "semi real" Dobermans.
If someone were to come through my gate un announced and they ripped the ass of that person,would the wounds and ambulance ride be semi real too?

Ha! Nice!

 

[zen.emily5]

I can say from first hand experience I will never own another floppy eared breed again (one that can't be cropped.) I had a golden and he was a great dog loved the water, but it was a blessing and a curse. He got chronic ear infections. We had to flush his ears once a month on top of that weekly cleanings. Although this helped it did not get rid of the ear infections that occurred. I felt horribly for him and was afraid he would end up deaf. The floppy ears in my opinion don't really serve a purpose for things such as hunting, swimming or tracking. They are cute yes but certainly not my preference and not something I will ever go through again. I personally don't care if one wants to keep floppy ears it's just not something I care for. You also have to keep in mind the length of ear while its floppy. A labs ears are relatively short in comparison to a dobermans or a bloodhound so I feel that plays a part. Also work load and how they play. In the working breeds they are typically hard players and very rough and tumble. I think there are more factors then just floppy ears and non floppy ears.

I've heard it's also dependent on how hairy a dog ears are. Short hair dogs don't get many infections for example. With cocker spaniels and 'water dogs' working breeds, get a lot of ear issues because too much water is let into their ears. I have a JRT and he had one ear infection but that was because he decided to jump into a lake lol !

 

[zen.emily5]

I think people ask about cropping because it is a elective surgery and posting can be quite a long endeavor. I think all prospective and novice owners should be equipped with as much information on all aspects of doberman ownership including to crop or not to crop. I don't feel people are "bashing" when they ask... IMO I'm not sure WHO would be a better source for breed standard than the AKC. As far as the health benefits...let's agree to disagree

We're getting a male Dobe next year and leaving all his body parts alone. I believe if something was born the way nature intended, why alter for human benefit or opinion? Poor nuggets don't ask for it to be done over here in the UK a lot of dog body part altering is illegal anyway

 

[Oh Little Oji]

We're getting a male Dobe next year and leaving all his body parts alone. I believe if something was born the way nature intended, why alter for human benefit or opinion? Poor nuggets don't ask for it to be done over here in the UK a lot of dog body part altering is illegal anyway

Nature did not intend for the breed Dobermann Pinscher to come into existence. The breed was carefully designed by mankind. (Designed, by the way, to have erect ears).

It was brought to my attention on this forum something that I had not realized: No animal in nature has floppy ears.

 

[zen.emily5]

Ohhhh I just googled that so even more sad face lol I love big ear dobes I just think they look stunning and elegant but that's just me