Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the community and this is my first post.
I need some help.
I've always wanted a doberman and i love the look of the cropped ears. I was fortunate to acquire a beautiful male who is about 13 weeks old.
I went to my vet and talked with them. They told me that the ears should normally be cropped between 9-11 weeks and that i probably should not crop them.
I mean no disrespect to any owners out there with uncropped ears, but personally i think the cropped ears look so much better. To me it is the classic look of the doberman.
I really want to get them done, but the vet told me that there is a chance they wont stand up perfect.

should i go to another vet for a second opinion?
i trust my vet, but i'm having a hard time accepting his opinion.

Thanks for your time,
Josh

>>Hello everyone,
>>I'm new to the community and this is my first post.
>>I need some help.
>>I've always wanted a doberman and i love the look of the cropped ears. I was fortunate to acquire a beautiful male who is about 13 weeks old.
>>I went to my vet and talked with them. They told me that the ears should normally be cropped between 9-11 weeks and that i probably should not crop them.
>>I mean no disrespect to any owners out there with uncropped ears, but personally i think the cropped ears look so much better. To me it is the classic look of the doberman.
>>I really want to get them done, but the vet told me that there is a chance they wont stand up perfect.
>>
>>should i go to another vet for a second opinion?
>>i trust my vet, but i'm having a hard time accepting his opinion.
>>
>>Thanks for your time,
>>Josh

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If you are determined to have them cropped, you better run not walk to another vet, because time is flashing by. I would leave the ears alone. One vet saying it is a bad idea would be enough for me. Cropping ears is profitable and vets can use all the money they can get. Sounds like you've found a good one there. If another one is willing to do the job, I'd wonder about his or her ethics.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

It's certainly true most good, talented ear cropping vets feel 12 weeks is the latest ears should be done.

I think another issue has to be considered as well. There's a BIG difference in the thickness of the ear leather between an 8 week old puppy and a 12 week ( or older) puppy..that translates into making the entire procedure much more stressful and uncomfortable for them.

I'm a loud and vocal proponent for cropped dobermans-just can't imagine myself living with one with floppy ears. But this is something that SHOULD have been done by the breeder a month ago or so..

If I were you I'd either pass on the puppy or just leave well enough alone and learn to live with those ears.

I do think you should trust your vet. While the cropped ears is the standard look and desired by most, even if they aren't he is still going to be the same dog. Why risk injury at this point to the dog. Perhaps your breeder can refund part of the price for not having this done at an earlier age. I don't know much about ear cropping but do know if the job is rushed or not performed properly the result can be terrible looking ears that may not stand erect anyway.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Sorry i'm late responding, i was moving this weekend and i didn't have my computer available.
I am going to ask a second opinion from another vet that was recommended and see what they say.
I called around some and I was suprised to hear a few different answers.
Most said that they need to be done between 9-11 weeks, but one vet said that while that is true with most breeds, that they prefer to do doberman and boxers closer to 16 weeks.
Does this make any sense to anyone?

Anways, i've decided if I can do it... then great, but if it's a negative response on any other consultations that i'll just have to live with them floppy.
i've always dreamed of having a doberman because i love the classic look with the cropped ears, but i'm not going to give him up because of that. he's the same dog regardless, just looks a little goofier that's all! )

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
Josh

>>Thanks for the replies everyone.
>>Sorry i'm late responding, i was moving this weekend and i didn't have my computer available.
>>I am going to ask a second opinion from another vet that was recommended and see what they say.
>>I called around some and I was suprised to hear a few different answers.
>>Most said that they need to be done between 9-11 weeks, but one vet said that while that is true with most breeds, that they prefer to do doberman and boxers closer to 16 weeks.
>>Does this make any sense to anyone?
>>
>>Anways, i've decided if I can do it... then great, but if it's a negative response on any other consultations that i'll just have to live with them floppy.
>>i've always dreamed of having a doberman because i love the classic look with the cropped ears, but i'm not going to give him up because of that. he's the same dog regardless, just looks a little goofier that's all! )
>>
>>Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
>>Josh

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It's very possible you will encounter some distinct advantages to having an uncropped Dobe. Depending on where you live and on societal attitudes during the lifetime of the dog, it might really work out well. And as far as the dog's appearance, it will grow on you as you grow to love him .
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

A vet told me the same thing. She mentioned she didnt think they would stand on my boy and he was about 13 weeks. Went to my current vet and had them done and they stand perfectly upright. He is a year old now and I would not have dobermans any other way. The upright ears is "part" of what gives the doberman that "look" of eagles. In my humble opinion dobes without their ears clipped look more like hound dogs. If your going to do it hopefully you already made this decision. Good luck!

What Murray Dobe says is correct. Any vet who is a really good cropping vet would not crop at that age. At a younger age, this surgery is not tramatic for the puppies, at 13 weeks I believe it would be, and your chances of ending up with ears that stand nice are slim. Most likely the only crop that might stand is a very short one that really IMHO does not enhance the look of the Doberman.

I would enjoy your dog the way he is. My first Doberman was natural earred and I loved her. Now I show Dobermans and love the beautiful cropped ears, but finding a vet who does a beautiful crop is really hard. I'd rather see natural ears than a poor crop.

A Doberman is a Doberman no matter what you do with their ears. I prefer cropped but only if they are done right.

i wouldent do it, i am a vet tech and saw a boxer puppy die because they wanted the ears done at a older age, and at that age to get them right the Sx was longer then the puppie could handle.
personaly i like floppy ears, but my boys are mutts, the newest one looks moslty doberman but with longer hair. the practice i work for now will not do ears at all, and im ok with that, looks to painful!