ear crop question???

[josef]

hello there im getting a new doberman puppy. i will be picking him up june 1st can any one tell me at what age is too early or too late to get his ears cropped. i really want to get them done. all dobermans are beautiful dogs but i really dont like the floppy ear look too much. any one have any answers?

[tidibole]

hello there im getting a new doberman puppy. i will be picking him up june 1st can any one tell me at what age is too early or too late to get his ears cropped. i really want to get them done. all dobermans are beautiful dogs but i really dont like the floppy ear look too much. any one have any answers?Good for you! Part of our standard specifies.."reflecting great nobility,,,energetic, watchful, determined, ALERT, fearless and obedient." although PERHAPS the time may come when cropping is not allowed, to this day I do not feel that an uncropped dog has the ALERT "look of the eagle" and the "expression" that we so admire in the breed. PLEASE ask to see photos of past cropped dogs and do not allow them to talk you into a "utilatrian crop" EVEn a medium crop that is slender and shaped is a nicer crop. It will more than likely take time but if you want it bad enough, when all is said and one you will pleased with your decision and the effort you projected in making them stand!!!!!

[josef]

thank you very much for the input but the question i was trying to get answered is.... what is the age limit at which you have to get the dogs ears cropped. i guess what im asking is when is it to early or too late to get them cropped

[tidibole]

It depends on who you go too. Some vets will not do it after 14 weeks and I have known people who have had corrective surgery at 6-12 months. My last litter was done at 7-8 weeks but that was 13 years ago. I am sure that someone will pipe up and give you a more accurate description! With the current legislations it is difficult to find a good vet to crop. I had a friend who took an entire litter to Canada!!!

[josef]

thanks. some one has already told me where i can go to get the ears cropped i just havent had a chance to call the vet and ask the age limits and that sort of thing. i live in south east texas so i seriously doubt ill be traveling to canada to get my puppies ears cropped. thank you for the answer.

[Sue J]

Congrats on the new puppy. My advice is to call the vet and ask what his/her preference is. I think each vet has their own standards on this. Our girl was cropped at 14 wks, but only because she had an ear infection and a huge winter storm which delayed her surgery. We originally planned a 11 wk. surgery as the cropping vet didn't really want to go past 14 wks with her. Thank heavens though our regular vet and the cropping vet consulted and agreed she was okay and he did it. I like the cropped look too, IMO it highlights their majesty.

[tidibole]

thanks. some one has already told me where i can go to get the ears cropped i just havent had a chance to call the vet and ask the age limits and that sort of thing. i live in south east texas so i seriously doubt ill be traveling to canada to get my puppies ears cropped. thank you for the answer.


I would think that Canada may be just a bit out of the way for you and certainly wan't implying that you should take a road trip even though Canada is absolutely beautiful.. My statement regarding that was intended to indicate that some people will travel long distances to achieve the crop they are looking for. This particular breeder had a very nice litter of puppies and the ears were cropped for show!!! and by a vet with a reputation! Also if you picked the puppy up June 1st,assuming 6-8 weeks, that would already make him 9-11 weeks? Most breeders will crop puppies prior to leaving and it is usually included in the price of the puppy with the entire litter done at once or within a day of each other! Ultimately this eliminates any potential fiascos. My fawn was cropped at 14 weeks (as Sue mentioned, mine was also not in good health and had to be put off)with a wider bell and shorter crop, not unattractive, stands but not as elegant as my black male.!!I do wish you luck.

[Dobs4ever]

the ideal age is 7 weeks which should be done by the breeder. There are just too few vets who can do a decent crop for a good breeder to take at chance. But to answer your question 12 weeks is about the absolute latest that you can have any hope of them standing unless cropped very short which looks horrible on the head. You certanly can't do a nice medium to longer crop muh past that age although I do know some that have worked out. But 7 weeks makes the ears stand much faster.

There is always a risk to any surgery and I do not think it right that the new owner has to be the one to take that risk. That is the breeders responsiblity.

[RKCM]

If you live in South Texas, there are many vets that do nice crops. Dr. Crouch who is in Brookshire, Tx. should be able to help you. I would at least give her a call about the vet you are going to use. We use to live in this area years ago. Dr. Crouch is a doberman breeder and member of the dpca so should be able to give you good information.

We use a vet in Dallas to do our ears and she crops at 8-9 weeks. I've been told that at 12 weeks you run a risk of them not standing. Just know that cropping ears is an art and many put way to much bell on the ears and they look like donkey ears when they do that. In my opinion, I'd rather have them uncropped than cropped like that.

Most breeders do crop the ears. Why is your breeder not cropping them?

[josef]

im sorry my mistake i said i would pick the puppy up on june 1st i meant july 1st. sorry for the mix up and im not really sure why the breeder did not have the ears cropped. this is the first time ive ever bought a doberman. i have had other dogs and i know how to take care of dogs. but i just dont know a whole lot about the doberman and every breed is different. i will try to get my puppies ears cut around 10 or twelve weeks i found a vet that does it here and its going to cost me 300$ for the cropping and the meds. wow!!!! i had no idea it would be that expensive. but i am willing to pay it. i just cant imagine having a doberman with big floppy ears. to me that just doesent look right and its definatly worth getting them cropped. but thats just my personal opinion. but hey thanks for every ones input. ive been trying to find pictures of dobermans with cropped ears. i dont really like the ones that stand up really really tall i like the ones that a kinda shorter if that makes any sense. but like i said im new to the doberman and i dont really know what im talking about so try to be understanding. thanks everyone.

[Dobs4ever]

Josef - The vet needs to show you pictures of Doberman he has cropped. You need to see if he takes the bell off so you don't have a big wing sticking out on the bottom of the ear next to the cheek. A nice medium crop that will look good on the head needs to be about 5 1/2 to 6 inches max when full grown. I have my vet measure the ear by pulling it towards the nose. I go about 1/4 inch past the inside corner of the eye. That will give you a decent crop - anything less will look strange when he grows up any thing longer looks like a JackA_____...........If your vet does not know this then he an callme and I will be happy to give him directions. You can look at the crops on my web site if you want something to compare to.

Good Breeders should do the ears and they should know enough to do a great job for their clients. There is nothing worse than an UGLY ear crop.

[Sue J]

Josef, do you plan to show your dog?

[Dobs4ever]

Josef - URGENT - I just re read my post on the length of ear and I should have said 1/4 inch down the nose not 1/2 inch. That would be way too long.

[Kaspar]

my breeder is doing the ear cropping before I even pick her up. I just have to keep up on bandages.

[Dobs4ever]

Very good - MUCH much better for the breeder to do it as it should be correct. the the posting is everything. You can have a beautiful crop but you need to keep them correctly posted. Good luck and we are anxious to see pictures!!!

[Rhiannon]

As a breeder it is very disheartening to end up with a dog with a bad ear crop. We have certainly learned that even when you ask for vet suggestions and ask to see prior work done by the vet it does not always prevent a disaster with an ear cropping. It is hearbreaking to go to the vet and pick up your puppy and realize that instead of getting what you paid for you have a butchered ear job. We have a new vet that does our ears now and even though they are far better than before they still leave something missing. A show crop is a fine art. We have a show litter planned within the next month as soon as our girl comes into season. We have done considerable research and will be flying in a specialist and having them do the crop at our vets office. We have seen a lot of crops done by her and trust that she will do the job properly as we need to have them competitive in the show ring. And unfortunately a bad crop can hurt them in the breed ring. We are doing everything in our power to help ensure that no bad crops happen on this litter. ;)

[tidibole]

That is wonderful and I wish you the best of luck..although I have a boy that has a poor ear crop, it is part of him as are his legs, tail and above all his personality. I love him dearly for all of his positive attributes, that his ears are by far less importnat every day...Good luck with the the new crops!!!