Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Dogs - all types
  Ear Cropping

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Ear Cropping
Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-15-2003 02:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
I just adopted a five month old doberman and really want to have his ears cropped. Is he too old? And if I do this, what chance does he have of the ears standing correctly? This is so very important to me. Thanks to all replies.

IP: Logged

JP
unregistered
posted 04-15-2003 12:40 PM           Edit/Delete Message
I've heard this should be done between 7-10 WEEKS of age. After that there is little chance of them "correctly" standing. After that age the ears are much harder to heal as they actually cut part of the ear off. At 5 mths old I would say its definitely not a good idea.

This a procedure that needs to be done by an experienced vet.

IP: Logged

shmoopie
Member

Posts: 361
From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-15-2003 01:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
I don't aggree with ear cropping, especially that far long.

JP is right in his answer, should be done very early....some dogs that get it done that late suffer trumendously...and for what...appearance.....I don't think it's worth it...the floppy ears are soooo cute lol

IP: Logged

PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
Member

Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 04-15-2003 02:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
I agree with JP and shmoopie on this.I feel that ear cropping just takes away from the dogs looks.I like natural ears,they are so cute !!!

IP: Logged

danelover
unregistered
posted 04-15-2003 04:19 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Trina I agree with everyone here.Your pup is really too old to have it's ears cropped.
And natural ears are just so cute.
I have an uncropped Great Dane,, and she has VERY big ears,but you learn to LOVE those big ears.

IP: Logged

Pug
Member

Posts: 26
From:Right here
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-16-2003 11:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pug     Edit/Delete Message
Im not sure about the age on it but I do know that it is totally up to you as to weather they stand up or not. The healing process has to be taken very seriously. Very few dogs will wear all the tape and bandages without fighting them and if they do fight them it will keep you busy redoing it time after time.

My advice to you would be to go to www.google.com and search for information on doing it so you will know what you are getting into before you do it. If it turns out bad then it can make a dog look funny or even turn a pretty dog into an ugly one but if done right you will be very satisfied with the out come. Im not telling you to do or not do it Im just saying you should check in on it alot and do what you think will make you happy because if you are happy with your dog then your dog will be happy with you.

IP: Logged

JP
unregistered
posted 04-16-2003 11:44 PM           Edit/Delete Message
What 5 month old puppy is going to stand for tape on its ears? At this age pups are all rough and tumble and full of beans. They hate stuff on their body, i agree it will be a fight. Trying to keep a 5 mth old quiet is nearly impossible for the length that will be needed for healing. Ears BLEED! Ever had a little nick out of a dogs ear? It takes for ever to heal and only takes one head shake for the wound to reopen and bleed like crazy so imagine how hard it would be when they've had half their ears cut off!!!!

IP: Logged

Doc Helladay
unregistered
posted 04-17-2003 12:42 AM           Edit/Delete Message
Hello Trina, I showed and raised Champion Dobermans for yrs..Usually the standard time would be around 3-4 months..and all my show puppies when sold their ears were already done by me. The puppies were not sold until ears were healed and each puppy could be evaluated whether it would be considered show material which we graded them around 5 months. If your puppy since it is a rescue pup is OR (cannot be shown) in sanctioned shows I do not see a reason for you to crop them. ITS not worth it at your dogs age and I do not see a reason to put him through that. With their ears down..it protects their ears...less ear prbms in the future. As far as a guarantee when you asked..nothing is guaranteed on any ear crops with any breed...alot depends upon (some ears are larger than others..most time when I judged this I would pull the ear towards their eye...if the ear goes past the eye..then one is looking at a longer and MUCH MUCH MORE AFTERCARE. Well good luck with whatever your decision is...Think of the lil guy first...
Doc~2003

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-17-2003 01:07 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
Well first I want to thank PUG, because he is right. The more I like my dog, the more he will like me. I do love my pup, but I just cant seem to have the respect for him that he deserves with flop ears. Sorry if that sounds cruel or unreasonalbe, but I am trying to be honest here. I am aware that it will take loads of work on my part (I have researched the subject for days now). And I am ready for that. I do not work outside the home and can give him all my time. Which I already do. He has a vet appointment on the 24th of this month. My vet is going to give me his opinion after he examines him. And one other thought, a "show" dobe isnt the only dogs who has the right to look like a true dobe, pets have that same right. What is the difference in causing "pain" to a show or pet puppy? Pain is pain. And my vet said that if he did do the cropping, pain medication would be available to Chopper. Thanks for all your opinions. My dicision may end up being wrong, but I will never know unless I try.

IP: Logged

Malteseof2003
Member

Posts: 99
From:Tennessee
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-17-2003 10:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Malteseof2003     Edit/Delete Message
Your puppy, your choice! =) Personally I never crop ears, never had to anyways...And really don't know much about that subject! =)

IP: Logged

fluff
unregistered
posted 04-17-2003 04:38 PM           Edit/Delete Message
FWIW ...LOTS of 5 month old puppies tollerate their ears being taped up! Some even tollerate walking around iwth a cup on their head! HA!!! (you cropped ear show breeders know what I mean )

IP: Logged

PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
Member

Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 04-17-2003 05:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
I wish you and your puppie all the luck...You are right ..your puppie your choice...Good luck...

IP: Logged

JP
unregistered
posted 04-17-2003 10:55 PM           Edit/Delete Message
I agreed with DocHella you ADOPTED this dog and fully aware of its appearance when you agreed to adopt it. If you don't respect the dog because of its esthetic appearance then you will never respect this dog. By adopting you opened your home to a dog in need of a home when maybe you should have purchased a cropped dog from a breeder (or at least rescued one with already cropped ears). This dog just wants to be loved, it knows no difference.

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-18-2003 03:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
MY DOG IS VERY LOVED.

IP: Logged

Schutznut
unregistered
posted 04-20-2003 11:35 AM           Edit/Delete Message
BEFORE you choose to mutilate your puppy, PLEASE go and observe the procedure. See for yourself how much pain the puppies are experiencing when they wake up. Keep in mind that dogs, being pack animals, will instinctually hide thier pain. To see truly how much pain they are experiencing, you need to observe them without them knowing they are being observed.
Our clinic uses Phentanyl patches. The strongest pain relief available. We also use torbogesic before surgery and operate with a CO2 laser which is known to seal off blood vessels and nerve endings as it cuts.
Most puppies still wake up screaming in pain. No, it's not fun to watch.
When they come back to have the stitches removed...guess what, it's painful.
Racking? PAINFUL
Think what it does to your pups mind when he is repeatedly hurt like this. He will become fearful of strangers and might even get aggressive towards anyone coming near his ears. EVEN YOU!
The doctors at our clinic would LOVE to refuse to crop OR to do late tail docks but we know that if we refuse to do it, the owner of the poor dog that has decided for one selfish reason or another to have thier "beloved pet" surgically mutilated will just go somewhere else.
Somewhere else....now THAT scares me.

IP: Logged

SheltieBeaglePugMaltese
unregistered
posted 04-24-2003 02:24 PM           Edit/Delete Message
You said you wanted your pup to look like a natural dob??? Well he is natural the way he is. Doing the ears and docking the tails of dogs is not natural . Its what us humans do to make them look the way we want them to look. It is your puppy and I have no right to tell you what to do with him. Its just my opinion that I wouldn't put my dog through any unnessacary pain especially if he isn't a show dog. Good luck and I hope it works out for you and your dob.

IP: Logged

Doc Helladay
unregistered
posted 04-25-2003 11:11 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Schut...I totally agree with you on your opinion for a couple of reasons, since I have seen both the show end for years and how political they are: I totally turned against dog showing, I felt that due to AKC having to have their standards in which change the natural dogs appearances and with certain dogs having to have plastic surgery as I call it now..I feel its not right I feel its a (racket) just to make money then it goes on and on..People go over board and become addicted..But I found that people even though per say they were (show people) they had the right to breed and breed no different than a backyard breeder would do, its just people think "OH its show dogs that makes it all ok...Well its not according to my book..living in crates etc...well this is just a pet peave of mine..Dogs were put on this earth to be humans companions, not to put money in their back pocket or any association to make money because they are registered..WHAT a Crock" Now don't get me wrong I find nothing wrong with registered dogs. I just think its gotten way over rated!!!!
Doc~2003

IP: Logged

JP
unregistered
posted 04-26-2003 01:01 AM           Edit/Delete Message
I am not a fan of cropping and docking, I feel it unnecessary show or pet.

I didn't think there were any disqualifications for not cropping ears in any AKC breed standards.

IP: Logged

GenDen
unregistered
posted 04-26-2003 09:58 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Dogs love us unconditionally. We can be overweight, underweight, young, old, bald, etc. Vanity is not an issue for them. They even love owners who are cruel to them. Why do we think that humans are the superior species?

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-26-2003 11:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
I came here to ask advise and mostly I have gotten put down and told off. Well I am sick of it all. I had Chopper's ears cropped the 24th, he came out of the vets office playing and acting like he always has. He is not in pain and I am NOT cruel. I have always said that dogs were BETTER than humans, HE does not hate me for this like most humans do. And I am happy with him now. And I NEVER expected or ask for ANY gurantee. Ear cropping is a personal decision and I am sorry that I ever came here asking Poodle and etc. owners ANYTHING about dobes. Chopper's ears was done by a very reputalbe vet and was done by laser. He is no worse for ware. And for the person who works for the vet. My advise to you is to find a differant profession, if you think it is so cruel and if you dont believe in what you work for. YOUR vet does it for the money the same as all of them, so dont give me this crap that he does it to SAVE the dog from "other" cruel people. Thanks to Pug and those of you that did not call me "cruel" but the rest of you can...........use your imagination. Chopper and me are happy and I can gurantee everyone of you that your dog is NOT loved any more than mine. Ear cropping is a "cosmetic surgery" not a "mutilation"! The only thing that Chopper is suffering from is not being able to go out and rough house my golden retriever, he misses that but he is not suffering.

IP: Logged

doc helladay
unregistered
posted 04-27-2003 12:24 AM           Edit/Delete Message
I dont know bout poodles..but I had one of the best lines of dobermans (Mark-Tey) I am including a link...she is very well known in the dog world and has books out..I learned everything I know from her as a friend from years back and I had the honor to even own one of her dobermans..on this page im sending to you..it has a place there with alot of info..about ears after etc...Also there is a place there for her book..I hope you will enjoy this link..and I wish you and chopper well. http://dobermanpages.com/
Doc~2003 As far as my dog world...it has been Dobermans-Chi's-Minature pinshchers
) ) )

IP: Logged

goob
Member

Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-27-2003 12:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
Most vets aren't taught ear cropping methods in vet school... it's something they either learn on their own, or don't learn at all. So it actually wouldn't be too insane for a person to not like cropping, yet still be a vet tech. It could also be that they were indifferent, then saw the procedure while working at the vets, and decided that it was too much to put a dog through.

I'm curious as to why you would adopt a natural eared pup when there are plenty of pups out there to adopt that are already cropped? And what are you going to do if after all this, his ears still don't stand properly? Would you still respect him then? We have one cropped dog here, and several uncropped dogs (though only one is of a breed that is sometimes cropped). The cropped dog was that way when we got her, and though I do think that some dogs look nice cropped, it's not something that will affect my entire outlook on a dog, so not something I'd put them through. If you have a hard time respecting a puppy with floppy ears, what are you going to do when he's old and gray? Or if he develops some sort of health problem that affects his appearance? Will he lose your respect then, too?

IP: Logged

soldier
Member

Posts: 18
From:
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-01-2003 12:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for soldier     Edit/Delete Message
If you like the look then do it! By doing this the Doberman has his traditional look!

[This message has been edited by Auspetian (edited 05-01-2003).]

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-01-2003 12:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you Soldier. Aparrently I used the wrong word when I used "respect". Everyone seems to think this is cruelty but what is the difference in spaying or any other elective surgury? Chopper is doing fine and acts as if he was never in any pain. I guess we will see the results in a few months. Just want everyone to know that I love him no matter what, and GOOB, I have heard enough from you, dont need or want your advise anymore. My original question was about CROPPED EARS STANDING, NOT what people thought about the subject of cropping in general.

IP: Logged

goob
Member

Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 05-01-2003 01:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
First, if you had actually READ my post, you would have realized it wasn't even addressing the things in your first post, as others had already done that. It was about the remark you made about people who work for vets, but don't advocate cropping; and the fact that you adopted a 1/2 grown dog that wasn't even what you wanted. The difference between cropping and spaying is that spaying (or neutering) benefits the dog's health by reducing the risk of several types of cancer, and eliminates the chance of the dog developing pyometra(as well as preventing unwanted pups/dogs from being PTS due to lack of homes); whereas cropping does NOTHING for the dogs health, and is done merely to make the dog "look" nice. One is beneficial, the other is not. Simple.

IP: Logged

PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
Member

Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 05-01-2003 02:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
Like Goob said,there is a big difference in having a dogs spayed and having their ears cropped.
It is your dog and your choice to have that done to him.You talk about how he acts like he is in no pain.Okay, maybe he is not right now,but how are you going to feel when he has ear problems and is truely in REAL PAIN?

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-03-2003 08:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
Everyone of you can just keep your opinions to yourselves, you are all probably a bunch of back yard breeders that think you know it all. Got news for all of you, I do CARE about my dog, but I could care LESS about any of you, so for those who just like to cause trouble and dramatize everyones questions at this forum.....grow up, and go look in the mirrior. For those of you who give true advise and not just based on opinion, keep up the good work.

[This message has been edited by Auspetian (edited 05-03-2003).]

IP: Logged

Lowell
New Member

Posts: 9
From:Kentucky
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-09-2003 02:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lowell     Edit/Delete Message
My wife and myself have recently bought a min pin at 8 weeks of age, and were thinking of getting the ears croped, but I have seen several mentions here about croped ears and the posibility of something happening to them later on in life. I am assumeing that it is ment as some type of ear infection mabey?

If any one could elaborate more that would be wonderful, as I have not run accross any info about anything like this during my research on croping.

THX

IP: Logged

goob
Member

Posts: 552
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 05-09-2003 04:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
Cropping, if done properly, does nothing (either positive or negative) to the dog's ear health in the long run. Ear infections will happen in both cropped and uncropped dogs (some say they happen more in drop earred dogs, though from everything I've seen, it happens in all earsets), and seem to be related more to genetics (some dogs ear canals are "formed" in ways that make them more likely to have ear infections than others) and environment (it seems that problems are more common in humid areas, where the ears stay moist inside and can get yeasty). So, no, cropping shouldn't affect the over health of your dog's ears, unless something goes wrong with the actual cropping. My cropped dog had a problem over the winter with the cartilage in her ears rubbing through the skin around the edge where it was cropped, and she had a lot of scabbing on them that took care and time to clear up. Her ears aren't a very good crop, though, and were probably either done by an inexperienced vet, or an owner who didn't want to pay out for the crop.

If you do decide to crop, it's best to do it before 12 weeks, especially with a breed that normally gets a long crop. Make sure that the vet you go to is experienced in cropping your breed, and ask to see pictures of other adult dogs (of your breed) that they've done. Look around and see what style crop you want, then show that to the vet so they know exactly what you want. Keep in mind that you'll have to do a lot of taping, bracing, etc to get the ears to stand, and that will probably require at least a few vet visits. And there's still no guarantees that the ears will stand properly.

Edit: Forgot to mention, if your vet will let you, watch a cropping before you decide to have your dog done. That way you'll really know if it's something you want to do to them or not (not being sarcastic about that, either ).

[This message has been edited by goob (edited 05-09-2003).]

IP: Logged

Lowell
New Member

Posts: 9
From:Kentucky
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-09-2003 06:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lowell     Edit/Delete Message
Great, thanks Goob.

We are fortunate enough to have several good vets in our area, but if we do decide to get it done, would using a laser to have the surgery done be better for the dog? There is a HUGE price difference between the 'normal' method of croping and laser, so I just want to be sure that I wouldnt be paying for something that is not necesary. If it will promote a quicker healing time and less stress on us and the pup, then I will gladly pay the extra bucks for it. ($85 for regular croping vs. $225 for laser)

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-12-2003 01:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Lowell, this is Trina, the one with the older doberman that I recently had the ears cropped on. I noticed you are from Ky, so am I. Welcome to the forum..... I used the laser method on Chopper (he was five months old) and it was wonderful. He came out of the vets office playing, he was on pain meds for one week and has never acted like it was painful, I have a wonderful vet. The laser is suppose to be more painless and have a quicker healing rate, which I believe after I saw with my own eyes how my dog has reacted to it all. Chopper has had his ears taped ONLY 3 times so far and one is standing and the other almost is. (It will stand for a day, before leaning) I still have two more tapings to be done by the vet then I am on my own. It is not NEAR as bad, on the dog or the owner, as some people will try to have you believe. The worse part of all is the negative reactions you will get from anti-ear cropping people. As far as the actual ear wounds from the surgery, they were totally healed (using the laser method) in two weeks. But I will also say that this is my first cropping so I cant comment on the normal surgery. I am not sure how the pain or the healing would be with that. But your pup is young so either way should go fine. I will be posting pictures soon of my Chopper for ALL to see. Good luck with your dog and I wish that I could tell you more.

IP: Logged

GenDen
unregistered
posted 05-12-2003 10:29 AM           Edit/Delete Message
Ear cropping is a matter of preference. In the USA, we are used to seeing some breeds with cropped ears. In Europe, they do not crop ears. It was interesting to watch Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England on Animal Planet this past weekend. The Boxers, Dobies, Min Pins, etc. did not have their ears cropped. The dogs were beautiful. The Europeans go for a different look. Wonder if that will catch on in the USA eventually.

IP: Logged

Lowell
New Member

Posts: 9
From:Kentucky
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-13-2003 09:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lowell     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks Trina. The vet I go to said that it will take about 3 to 4 weeks for them to fully heal, with atleast 3 bandage changes, and where he is so young that would probably be all.

Glad to hear all went well for your dobe. Love to see some pics when you get some.

IP: Logged

Trina
Member

Posts: 12
From:Pittsburg, Ky. USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 05-13-2003 11:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Trina     Edit/Delete Message
Here is a picture of Chopper with my precious grandbaby. This is the second week after his cropping.

Arent they both adorable? And they are the BEST of buddies.

[This message has been edited by Auspetian (edited 05-13-2003).]

IP: Logged

Lowell
New Member

Posts: 9
From:Kentucky
Registered: May 2003

posted 05-14-2003 02:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Lowell     Edit/Delete Message
LOL, those ears are a trip! I mean nothing bad by that comment, is just when our vet told us that he would have to wear bandages and an antenna thing on his head I just couldnt imagine what in the world it would look like! Thanks for sharing, Im going to have to show my wife, she will love it.

Beutiful dobe, and grandchild. I wish them both the best.


BTW, I live in london, and was wondering what vet you went to. CVAH is who we have went to always in the past and like them very much. Great to meet some one so close to home!

[This message has been edited by Lowell (edited 05-14-2003).]

IP: Logged

puttin510
Member

Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 05-16-2003 08:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Trina, I believe that as long as the operation is done in a safe, sanitary manner it is completely up to the owners discretion. Nobody wants anyones dog or pet for that matter to be in pain. You are doing what the vet says, by giving him his pain killers, anti-biotics if nessecary. Pretty much everything right. I think he looks beautiful. with or without ear-crops. He's a beauty. Its not like you took himout to a shed and sawed off each ear and stuck tape on it with no pain remedies. You are doing it right. If your vet says its ok to do at 5 months then it must be ok. Chopper looks like a very happy and confident dog.

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com