Question, Questions and More Questions

[sk8boarderallie]

Ok so Daisy (doberman pinscher puppy) has a very short tall I think they call it docked. People are now asking me if I'm going to get her ears docked. (cut short) I dont know if its a health thing or a vanity thing. Do any of you out there know? Daisy is between 2 to 4 months old. I've had her 4 days now. Thank you have a great day!

[sk8boarderallie]

Ok so Daisy (doberman pinscher puppy) has a very short tall I think they call it docked. People are now asking me if I'm going to get her ears docked. (cut short) I dont know if its a health thing or a vanity thing. Do any of you out there know? Daisy is between 2 to 4 months old. I've had her 4 days now. Thank you have a great day!

[P3tm0m]

My dog Jill is a hound mix. She used to be my sister's dog. Since she has the markings of a doberman, (but weighs a lot), she had the bright idea to have her tail docked and ears done. She had this done way past the time it should have been done, but she now looks like a doberman, but sounds like a hound dog when she barks!!

[Luvmyjob]

http://www.dobermanpages.com/
This may help you on some info. Yes it is called docked tail. Ears clipped are called cropped. I have no preference.It is purely a matter of personal taste as to whether you get them cropped or not. I did a LOT of reading on the breed before getting my Doberman. They are a special kind of dog IMO. I wish you much happiness with your new pup and if you ever have questions on training, feeding, behavior, etc. ,this is the place to come.

[Luvmyjob]

http://www.swohiodoberescue.org/Dobe...bermanInfo.htm
Here is some more info for you. I am still learning, so I read all the time!

[Obedog]

Originally Posted by sk8boarderallie

Ok so Daisy (doberman pinscher puppy) has a very short tall I think they call it docked. People are now asking me if I'm going to get her ears docked. (cut short) I dont know if its a health thing or a vanity thing. Do any of you out there know? Daisy is between 2 to 4 months old. I've had her 4 days now. Thank you have a great day!

If you think she is cute with her ears down, leave them alone. But in the show ring, cropped ears make the dog have a sharper look. If you have them cropped, be prepared to spend countless times retaping the ears as they have to be bandaged, and stiff stays put in the ears to hold them upright. It is a pain, and if you don't do it right, the dog can have one kinked ear, or both, or one may stand and the other not. You can have it done, but again, think about the work involved until they stand. Depending on the cut, some will stand in a month, but many have had to tape the ears past a year old. So if you are undecided, and don't care, then don't go throught the hassle.

[RoughCollies]

My own personal preference is to leave the ears natural. It's an expensive and potentially painful experience (if done incorrectly) that isn't necessary. Besides looking absolutely adorable with floppy ears, you will also notice that people won't be afraid of your "big bad dobie" and will be more willing to pet her.

I once had two dobies in the same class. Both excellent dogs, both loveable and just all around great family pets. One was cropped, the other was not. The one that wasn't cropped always had people commenting on what a great dog it was while the other one people avoided. The fact is, people are generally stupid. They really don't know any better other than to avoid the dog that looks scary. I've seen pittie puppies with uncropped ears get loved on until people found out what they were. People are ignorant to the great dogs behind the scary look.


But, if you do want to get the ears cropped, make sure you find a vet with a ton of knowledge and experience and dedicate yourself to keeping up with those ears.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I will say though that I've had a lot less ear infections with any dog I've had where the ears stand straight up. This is because the ear gets much more air to it. The ears that flop over need to be cleaned very regularly to avoid dirty buildup and possible infection.

[EmmaGirl]

IMO I would leave the ears alone. Cropping is fine in the show ring or for the breed affactioniators (sp?) that insist on breed standard appearances. As others have sais, it's a lot of time and energy to care for them. Unless you plan to show your dog, leave the ears alone.

[vict0r]

till what age are you still on time to crop ears?

can you crop the ears if the dog is 11 weeks old,almost 12?

I heard that it doesnt actually matter when you crop, it's just the older the dog, the longer it'll take to heal ... but preferably before it turns 3 months old...

is this true ?