We got a puppy Doberman. My question may be real basic but Im clueless.
Whats up with Ears and tails? Im not sure if I really understand it. But "Cropping" is the cutting of the tail and ears. Right? And am I right in thinking some people Tape there dogs ears up straight? Are they not cropping them but making them grow straight upwards?
OK, whats up with all the cutting of the dogs? I am a new Doberman owner. But I have had and known for years people with "pit bull" dogs. And from my reading on the pitbulls. They used to cut the ears and tails so there was less for the other dog in a fight to get a hold of. Today people will curt there pitbulls ears just to make it look mean.
Is that the same for the Doberman? Our girl puppy has a long tail and floppey ears. Is there a medical/health reason for cutting them? Or is it just the same as with pitbulls and its all for looks?
As a kid my family had AKC G.Shepherds and the most they ever did. And I think they only did it one time. Was have that extra high toe thingy removed. But as a kid that's all I knew of. Y change the look of what god intended? IMO if its not a helth reason, Its the same as giving your child a nose job. I dont get it
I'm going to ask a really stupid question here. WHY did you get a Doberman if you don't know anything about them?
Okay. Tails are usually "docked" at 2 to 5 days of age. It can be done later, but it's a lot more involved when they are older. Ear are "cropped" at 6 to 12 weeks of age, and are "posted" to train them to stand up until the dog is done teething, at about 6 to 9 months.
Check out this website for more information about the breed. DPCA | Home
Oh sweetie, ok ... Did you rescue your puppy? Where do you live? Most reputable breeders in the U.S. will dock and crop their pups prior to adopting them out.
Cropping = Ears
Docking = Tail
The tail should be docked at the second joint.
When people "tape" their dog's ears, it's called posting. The dog has already had surgery to crop their ears. Posting is done so that they will stand.
Most people crop and dock because they like the look, show their dog(s), or they got their pup from a reputable breeder in the U.S. and their puppy came that way. I would be concerned with anyone who cropped a dog's ear so it would look more mean.
Cropping/docking is mostly for cosmetic purposes. Overseas it is illegal to crop and dock, however. I adopted my Doberman from a local Humane Society at 9 1/2 months old. She has a docked tail and natural ears.
Thank you guys. I thought it was a cosmetic thing. Just wanted to make sure. And in my other post I had made. I tell the story of a family that lost there home just after there girl dog had pups on accident or un planned. What ever that means. But we were looking for a GSD and the ppl needed help and so did the pups. So yesterday we had a girl and today we have a girl and her brother. LOL I guess im not getting a GSD. LOL Its not the puppies fault. Its the owners. What do you think will happen when you have a boy and girl dog. (Some ppl)
But we wanted to make sure there was no health issue related to the cropping and cutting. Se will leave them natural. Thanks guys for your input.
The breed was originally bred as a personal protection dog. Cropping and Docking was done originally as to not provide additional handholds for the "bad guy" to be able to grab. Original Crops and Docks were very short.
Nowadays, it is a cosmetic procedure, as well as part of the breed standard in the U.S.
I know but ppl that want there dogs to look as tough as the owner feels. Tend to crop and cut and all that good stuff. My wife agrees though. She and I are real big "pit bull" supporters. Bet even she says the dog looks mean and like 2 different dogs when its ears are cut. We just want the best for this breed and wanted to make sure everything si done right for her.
hehehe, I know that they are different. The pups were a odd age. Mom starting spitting them out on Feb 20th and she did not finish or had a second batch one week later (March 1st) so not really sure of the precise age.
Although its obvious that you don't have any experience in this breed, it's nice that you are researching and asking questions.
You have a lot to take on now so please continue to ask and research.
Ohhh and Welcome, do you have pics?
Trust me, re-homing one is a very good suggestion. I have two and although they are a year a part, the youngest completely depends on the other for stability.
Having two isn't just twice the work either, it's a whole different ball game! We don't even want to talk about the expense. One gets sick, often times they both have to get treated. EVERYTHING is easier with one.
I would also consider not selling the other puppy. Find a good home and make sure it is spayed or neutered. These pups should not be bred and not selling for profit gives you a little more control over requiring the pup being fixed.
If your puppies already have natural tails, I would leave the ears natural too. I wouldn't be too concerned about their "appearance" at this point and time.. just make sure they are healthy, comfortable, and safe.
Poor babies went through enough already.
Thank you for taking them in, I hope you stay.Please keep us updated & continue to ask questions!
Unfortunately, unless they are docked as a newborn puppy, just a few days after birth, the tail "docking" becomes an amputation. I have a natural dobe too and absolutely love his tail, hate the happy tail that comes along with it. It has been a struggle since he was a puppy and has barely improved. He's just over 6 years old and I've been on the fence on amputating for 5 years!! However, I know a lot that have never had a problem with their tails at all. Guess we're just the lucky ones. Anyway, just wanted to share that it is not all just cosmetic. Docking does have it's advantages.
I also have a pit bull foster who is very gentle with his tail. It has a bit more meaty substance than the bony tail of my doberman.
The docking of the tail was originally done as well because of a fear that the dogs long whip like tail might smack into things and cause a "broken " tail. When i got mine, she had her tail docked, never really considered the ears my self. I prefer the natural look.plus hers arent very big, theyll stand when she wants them to lol.
Best of luck raising these pups. i got into the breed knowing nothing about them and boy oh boy am i still learning. Not a bad dog, though there will be times when you wonder if theres something wrong in the head. lots of excersize and structure is key.
Do you know if there is a Doberman rescue near you that could take one or two off your hands? Look at dpca.org On top they have a great education page and a rescue page!
I've got an all natural dobie and a docked and cropped dobie. I will say this, the cropped dobie has cleaner ears but the undocked dobie does turn a lot tighter. I think the tail acts as a rudder.
This all has been discussed. About how these are "rescue" cases, how the OP is looking to rehome the male, and how the "breeder" isn't trustworthy. Not everyone is a troll, come on.
Well I would like to thank everyone but "Sinister" helped me learn and see more then just my ear question. Thanks for giving me direction on other topics and pointing stuff out that did not even come to mind till you told me. Thank you Everyone and THANK you Sinister. You seem to be dedicated to the forum or all over it. It was/is appreciated.
As for everyone and there comments. Its so nice of you to help. My friend told me about a Cellphone app and that app brought me Here. Im very grateful.
As for some comments I was reading through. Sorry for not using names, Its late. But the reason for this posting I made was to ensure that by keeping the dogs body or features natural. I was not limiting its health or anything in any way. And I have already forgot the name of that extra toe. But someone corrected my wording with that thing. Again I like to make sure all our fish snakes, cats, or any pet has the verry best. And I knew that the high up extra toe thing is yet another cosmetic thing. Id cercumsize my sone but I would not alter my pet. Is that odd? LOL
Someone told me that if I know nothing about the dog why did I get it. Well, first it was to help someone. But then it turned into my wife falling in love with them. I have always been around working dogs. I only wanted to ensure there was not medical drawback to natural or if it was just for looks. You dont know if you never ask.
And I guess if you have a show dog. Or you only like the cropped look VS, the natural look. Then I understand the reason behind it. I do question the reasons behind stuff. Because I dont know anything about it. But over the years I have learned alot about all different types of dogs. And all there different features has a benefit to them. Like there coat, the thickness of the fur, the shape or style of the ears. Dogs are all great creatures. We just tend to try and give them the best home. With no 1-100 acors of land. Ill get a picture off my phone and post them. My wife fell in love with them. But Sinister pointed out the issue with having more then one pup at a time. And other Trainers online all make the same comment about the training when 2 dogs are together.
THanks everyone for all your time and reading. I do appreciate it. And so will our pup.
Forgot to reply to someone that commented about a breeder. The pups came from some nice neighboring friends that lost there home as the mother was prego. Sorry. Cant judge the pups for the parents that made them. LOL
The black guy is the boy and the brown/red one is the girl.
And just in case someone makes a comment avout the first top picture... I made them a bed in a rubber made container that sat on my passenger seat and felt they woukd feel more secure in a container with "no" lid on it and some bedding in it. Then stuck on my lap or under my feet as we drove a good 30-45 min drive to the vet. They never cried and slept there and slept back. In one of the pictures. You can see the large metal crate I got for them. Its like 48" x over 24" x whatever tall. And its only used when we are not home. Sleeping, or potty training them when she gets a little older.
Thanks again for everyones help. The pups would thank you. And me ;-)
Cute puppers. Personally, I prefer an all natural Dobe.
One word about using the crate for housebreaking. You will need to block off most of it, and give the pup an area just big enough for them to stand and lie down comfortably. Otherwise, they are liable to sleep in one end, and toilet in the other. Also, I'd crate them separately, so if one pup does has an accident, they aren't both in it.
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