Jayda+Bronson

My pup is getting his ears cropped Tuesday... but ive blogged some more about him( the vet) and saw some bad reviews. Because my pup is turning 12 weeks this Wedesnday, im panicking.I had 3 other vets in mind but they didnt make the cut. SO if you live in NOVA or close, who is better Dr. Kilgore of Mechanicsville Animal Hospital, or Dr. Johnson of Pender Veterinary Hospital. Please help. He has to get his ears cropped this week.

astra

First, Welcome to DT Where exactly is NOVA? In what state?

Why does he "have" to get his ears cropped at all? If you aren't willing to take him to a someone that has experience cropping Doberman's and is reputable and recommended, then I wouldn't get his ears done at all. IMO, a bad crop is worse than no crop at all.




If you wanted his ears cropped, why didn't you have his breeder do it? Who do they use to crop ears?

PatchworkRobot

I completely agree with this statement. Especially the bolded part.

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adhahn

Sorry, but I disagree. You are entitled to your opinion and so am I.

A good crop really does look nice, but IMO even a bad crop is better than no crop.

People who have adopted or rescued dogs that are past the age for cropping, or those who live in areas where it is illegal didn't have a choice in the matter and their floppy eared dogs are just fine as is. On the other hand when someone has a pup of cropping age and lives in an area where it's legal they shouldn't be subject to fear-mongering about 'bad' cropping.

You can have your opinion, but my opinion is that it's wrong to discourage someone who has already decided to crop by saying that a bad crop is worse than no crop at all.

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"We cannot lose sight of the fact that Schutzhund is a BREED SUITABILITY test or we do a disservice to the German Shepherd dog. Conscientious breeders should train and test their bloodlines...not simple be in the "puppy business". " -- Gunther Diegel

RedFawnRising

NOVA=Northern Virginia.

I would not make any hasty decisions, OP.

Looking at an ugly crop for the life of my dog would drive me absolutely crazy(-ier).

Also, I am sure you love your pup and don't want to rush into elective surgery, not knowing the safety record of the vet you've chosen to do this.

Hopefully, some of the knowledgeable breeders will see this tomorrow and chime in with some recommendations for you.

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Jayda+Bronson

You know I was a little worried about posting on here... someone will always automatically assume someone is ignorant of they breed all because the asked for help. First, I have a 7yr old doberman who i got in Atlanta who's ears were cropped beautifully. I got Bronson 2 weeks ago for a weekend wedding trip to Atlanta where i found out that the doctor is no longer able to do surgeries. Yes, when I got Bronson they had someone to do there dogs ears but guess what... I had to leave the next day. Therefore, like a responsible Doberman Pinscher owner who wants to get her dogs ears cropped, Ive been searching and searching in Virginia, Maryland and even Pennsylannia.

Jayda+Bronson

what do you do when you hear nothing and see one or two good photos? Do you go with word of mouth only, or the two photos? Do you go with the well-to-do- breeders, or the members on here that went to that vet and was displeased? Im so scared? To me word of mouth still makes me nervous, not even from the breeder. I'll still be concerned. I was lucky with Jayda. I didnt even know our vet at the time cropped ears until I got her and asked him and he happened to just finished a great dane ears. Impressed and seeing it first hand, I trusted him. Jayda's ears were literally standing up as soon as i picked her up with no cones on her ears, no blood dripping from her ears, and happy as ever. Poor Dr. Gibson, my heart goes out to you. You were the best vet and still are.

astra

We can disagree and that is fine but can you please explain to me what the benefit would be of having a dogs ears cropped by someone who isn't experienced? Although cropping is thought of by some to be just a cosmetic procedure, it is a surgery and there are risks involved. To each his own, but I wouldn't let anyone do any kind of procedure on my dog unless he/she was experienced.

We don't know anything about the OP. I have to wonder whether they know that there is aftercare involved with cropping and that there are risks of infection and such.

I also have to wonder if the OP will have their pups ears cropped by the person that they have doubts about, just because they want a cropped dog and they are running out of time to find someone that is reputable that crops ears.

For the record, I am "pro" cropping. I will stand by my statement though and say that I'd rather see a dogs ears left in their natural state rather than have them butchered by some of those who think they do a good crop.

EmilyB

OMG....you really haven't witnessed the scissor jobs have you. Or the pit crops on a doberman.

A bad crop is better than no crop? You have really shown your ignorance here, I'm sorry.

astra

This is Whyatt. He is a dog that is currently available through the Illinois Doberman Rescue. I think he is absolutely precious. I think he would've been even more handsome had his ears been left natural. Read his Bio. Apparently someone thought that they knew what they were doing when they cropped his ears. I hope potential adopters will think that his ears give him character and that he finds his forever home soon. Again I will stand by my statement and say that IMO, a bad crop is worse than no crop at all.

"Wyatt was adopted and had to be returned as the owner was allergic. He said he was great at his house. Was quite energetic with a bit of doggie ADD but chilled out nicely when getting attention. He LOVES toys, but if you give him too many he gets a bit lost on which one to get. Quite adorable actually. The way his ears were cropped and taped make his head look dented, but our vet says his skull is normal. He is looking for a home willing to work with him and provide him the mental and physical stimulation he needs. Email Pam at orphandobe@ameritech.net."

Jayda+Bronson

OMG, do people read on here?! So your telling me that all these Vets i looked up, talked to, all sounded like they know what they're doing, none of them ever did a good crop job? Dr. Johnson of Pender has over 25+ experience. He does2-3 croppings per week. Now what Ive found, like so many other vet named from breeders, that he does a fairly good job. Espically by the photos of the dogs on the breeders website. But A lady on here posted a picture of her dog that was done by him that LOOKS horrific. At that moment im back to square one and now im looking again. Its not me making a irrational decision because i am in a rush. Im saying even IF you had someone to recommend to me theres still a chance I dont get the same happy experience you get. I want to, need to know who I can trust more. And as far as cropping, as someone thats been working with animals sine i was 17, Ive seen a few things to place above cropping. I could care less what you say but its no different than spaying or neutering. God didnt tell you to remove their ORGANS, should i remove yours? Oh, dont say its to help them not to get pregnant because if people were as good and caring as they claim to be their dog would never get pregnant to begin with without KNOWLEDGE. And please dont bring up diseases, because we as human die from it ever day. How dare you critize people without being called upon, and there are so much more interesting thing to preach about.

adhahn

Over the past 100+ years tons of dogs have been cropped by amateurs with a pair of scissors. I've never seen a dog in pictures or in person who's cropped ears looked worse than floppy (even if crooked and unbalanced).

There is no excuse in this day and age for cropping without anesthesia and I don't think anyone is arguing that an experienced and reputable cropper is desirable. Cropping is a breed specific skill. That has nothing to do with the opinion that a bad crop is worse than uncropped. I disagree. You stated your opinion and I disagree with it. IMO, any crop is better than no crop.

__________________
"We cannot lose sight of the fact that Schutzhund is a BREED SUITABILITY test or we do a disservice to the German Shepherd dog. Conscientious breeders should train and test their bloodlines...not simple be in the "puppy business". " -- Gunther Diegel

Jayda+Bronson

Oh Whyatt... I know and its a scary thought.... If I wasnt prepared for this though, ya'll, I would'nt have gotten a another doberman. Not especailly if I didnt already go through it with Jayda. I Hate messed up ears... I actually have two come to my shop, and both of their ears aren't standing... But Jayda is. Oh god, I didnt come on here for you guys to make me feel bad...

adhahn

Without something else to back this up I'm going to call BS. IF there is even a grain of truth to it, the taping and not the cropping was an issue.

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"We cannot lose sight of the fact that Schutzhund is a BREED SUITABILITY test or we do a disservice to the German Shepherd dog. Conscientious breeders should train and test their bloodlines...not simple be in the "puppy business". " -- Gunther Diegel

Jayda+Bronson

True

RedFawnRising

Okay.

Close your eyes.

Hold out your hand.

<places chill pill in OP's hand>

There, now take that, and it will be aaallllllll better.

Okay.

Close your eyes.

Hold out your hand.

<places pair of eyeglasses in adhahn's hand>

There, there, now everything will be aaalllll better.

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astra

I'm not going to go round and round with you so this will be my last comment to you on the subject of cropping. It is very apparent that you and I are at totally opposite ends of the spectrum on the subject.

If you think that had Whyatt's ears been posted properly, that that would've resulted in a "good" crop, then I'm sorry, then you and I also disagree on what a good crop is. I've seen worse crops, like those done with scissors. Hell, I've seen dogs whose end result of their crop left them with NO ears- they were totally cut off. I'd rather see a dog with natural ears then no ears at all, especially if the dogs ears were mutilated because of a bad crop.

OP, I am sorry that your post has veered off topic. The only advice I can give to you is to send a message to "tuxedojack". She lives in your area and will give you her opinion on what, if any, reputable croppers are available in your area. Although it may be a drive for you, Sophia Koster DVM is one of the best croppers in the country and comes highly recommended by many breeders. Millstone Animal Hospital / Home

Good luck with your pup.

BenVera

I'm totally confused. OP, you've branched out into so many topics other than ear cropping that I don't know what you're asking for anymore!

If you've already picked out a Vet who has been cropping ears for 25+ years, then why not just go with that one? It could be that the dog with the "horrific crop" you mentioned just wasn't taped properly after surgery. Perhaps the photo was taken from a bad angle. Maybe his/her ears were relaxed when the picture was taken. Who knows?!

I'm still confused about why your breeder didn't have the ears cropped before the puppy went home. You said something about having to leave the next day... Or the breeder's vet doesn't crop anymore? ...It was hard to decipher from your posts.

Good luck. I hope you'll find someone who will do a job you'll be happy with.

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JobeyV

As you've said in previous posts you are indeed entitled to your opinion, well so am I. You really don't need to be quite so scathing about natural eared dobes. As the owner of a natural eared dobe I find this comment above really offensive. Are you seriously telling me that you think Whyatt's ears looks better than my boys ears or for example, Amelia's boy Rupert. No disrespect here to Whyatt, it's not his fault he looks the way he does. I think he's cute, I certainly wouldn't be put off by his ears. After all I adopted Homer & look at his ears. (see sig pic)

Personally, I would never crop a dogs ears even if I lived in a country where it was legal. But I respect the right of anyone to do it if that's what they wanted & were prepared for all the hard work that goes in to getting a good result. I certainly would never insult their dogs looks just because I have an opposing view to them. I actually quite like the look of a good crop, it's just something I'd never personally do.

IMO a dobe is a dobe no matter what it's ears are like. They all have the same little quirks whether their ears are natural or cropped.
All 4 of my dobes have been the epitome of dobeness. Loyal, loving, highly intelligent, they certainly weren't any less of a dobe just because their ears were floppy

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Doberkid

All my dobes have been natural, all have been impeccably bred and do very well in the show ring.
Yes it is illegal here to crop, but even if I had the option I wouldn't ( I was looking to import from the USA but chose not to as all dogs available and in the ring are cropped)

I find it incredibly insulting that you would say a butchered crop job is better than natural. My dogs are beautiful and as much of a Dobermann than any cropped one.
Germany (where dobes came from in the first place) does not allow cropping, so I am proud to have my dogs adhere to the breed standard of their original country.

I am sorry to the OP, I have no advice for you but I hope you decide on a great vet.

Okie-dobie

I think you haven't personally seen many dogs with poorly cropped ears. And I would also say that MANY if not MOST people would disagree with you. Even some hard core breeders that have their litters cropped with disagree with your statement.
Interesting, you find out all kinds of little things about what people believe in here.

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Dobereich's Valley of Jasmine - BH
Ante Up the Cash de Tejas - IPO 1, BH, CGN, TT
Chalmar's Cobra Strike - Puppy in training

Okie-dobie

Oh stop being so dramatic will ya? LOL!
Look people are just trying to say that 1. You probably should have gone to a breeder that crops the litter before going home. So by the time the puppy buyer comes to pick their pup up, he/she ears are healed and ready for posting. Good breeders send their puppy buyers home with detailed instructions on care and procedure for taping. They will also show you how to do it while their.
And 2. Because you didn't do the above, you now run the risk of not finding a experienced cropper to do the procedure. I'm not saying don't do it but I totally agree that natural ears are much prettier than a very bad crop job.

If I was going to do what you are doing I would have had a few croppers picked out and booked. I would have also been totally willing to drive many hours to get a nice crop...but that is just me.

Good luck and hopefully your pup ends up with a nice crop...hopefully.

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Dobereich's Valley of Jasmine - BH
Ante Up the Cash de Tejas - IPO 1, BH, CGN, TT
Chalmar's Cobra Strike - Puppy in training

Okie-dobie

__________________
Dobereich's Valley of Jasmine - BH
Ante Up the Cash de Tejas - IPO 1, BH, CGN, TT
Chalmar's Cobra Strike - Puppy in training

Jayda+Bronson

There isnt only one way to raise or get a dog is my opinion. .. And yes i was getting mad. Because I had a feeling someone would do that yet i was hoping not. Im new on here but ive been reading on here for over 6 months.

I was talking about two different Vets when i was in Atlanta. One, I asked my mom to call a week before we came down and she told me then that he has some type of cancer where he has to use crutches then a wheelchair and soon he wont be able to walk anymore. I forgot the name of it. So he was out of the question. When i picked my pup up she did say she had someone but like i said i had to leave the next day. I guess where i messed up now that i think about it is that I shoulda asked her to go ahead and crop them for me. But i didnt think about it then

Anyway thanks for the advice. Hope to post up pics soon and upgrade!

RottenVonSpotten

Breeder Referral

Scroll down to Virginia, Pennsylvania, etc., start calling breeders and ask who crops their puppies.