What's considered a good crop and a bad crop? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

iHeartKyu · 11-24-2012, 06:28 PM

I'm new into all the cropping things, but I am learning. I already know there are 3 types of different ear crops. I was just curious if someone could explain to me thoroughly what a good crop looks like along with a bad crop (Photos would be great as well).

I've seen plenty of people comment on dobermans' cropped ears and a few would say, "Man, those are horribly cropped ears," or "His/her ears are lovely! Who did the job?"

I'm new about the ear-cropping world/business so any new information is valuable.

monicaei · 11-24-2012, 06:34 PM

Are you in need of a crop recommendation? Tell us where you are located and someone can

The horrid crops span the gamut from "military/pit" style to general problems with no eye for style (too much bell, asymmetric, etc) to "home jobs" which are simply abuse. There is also the "crop n flop" issue.

A great crop is an art form, a good crop is a style, and a BAD crop is way to common. IMHO

iHeartKyu · 11-24-2012, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monicaei

Are you in need of a crop recommendation? Tell us where you are located and someone can

The horrid crops span the gamut from "military/pit" style to general problems with no eye for style (too much bell, asymmetric, etc) to "home jobs" which are simply abuse. There is also the "crop n flop" issue.

A great crop is an art form, a good crop is a style, and a BAD crop is way to common. IMHO

I'm not looking for any cropping recommendation.

I was just curious since I've seen some dogs with ears (which I thought) that looked almost identical yet I've heard individuals complain/compliment if it was good or bad.

If I am lucky to own a doberman of my own soon (Hopefully not too long from now), then I would be asking for advice, recommendations, etc.

**PatchworkRobot** · 11-24-2012, 06:49 PM

I have plenty of pictures of bad crops but since I"m not the owner of those dogs I don't feel comfortable posting such things.

A good crop, in general, will be well shaped and fit the dog's head.

If you get your future doberman from a reputable breeder you won't need to be asking where to get the dog cropped as a reputable breeder will take care of the cropping for you (and it'll be beautiful!).

monicaei · 11-24-2012, 06:51 PM

Most people with "pet" dobes get what's considered a "medium" crop... It's shorter and has more bell than a "show" crop. It requires FAR less posting, for example we only posted our girl for about 6 weeks.

The "military" crop is super short, requires almost no posting, and looks freaking terrible on a Doberman. The show crop, done right, looks amazing. It also requires FAR MORE work than most people are willing to actually invest, IMO

Abby · 11-24-2012, 06:52 PM

I don't think there's any good way to state what is a good or bad crop, but there are some different things that could describe good or bad crops, like...

Good-
In proportion to the head
Smooth lines or curves that compliment the lines of the head
The large natural bell at the base of the ear has been "trimmed"
Really great ears look so good with the head, people who don't know any better think the crop is the "natural" ears your dog is born with!

Bad-
A bad size for the head
Cuts that are too straight, or not straight at all and totally jagged (again, elegant flowing lines are really beautiful on good ears)
Bell hasn't been removed
Asymmetrical ears.

This is what I can come up with now, as all Dobermans heads are different, a perfect crop may be different for every dog!

Burns · 11-25-2012, 09:58 AM

I've seen some bad crops here, but its not right to repost them in a "this is what a bad crop looks like" thread. I'd feel bad if that were my dog, plus I don't have permission to repost others' photos.

Personally I prefer the show crops on most Dobermans. Being new to the breed, I always thought my dog's crop was too long when he was a puppy, but he grew into it and now I think it is perfect for his head. They wouldn't look right if they were any shorter.

**greenkouki** · 11-25-2012, 10:21 AM

If you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder the puppy will come with his ears already cropped and you will not have to worry about getting a good or bad crop! I agree with the others that it may not be fair to post a photo of a bad ear crop posted by another member but there are plenty floating around the forum. You could Google search "bad ear crop" and come up with some examples I'm sure.

**Jenny** · 11-25-2012, 10:36 AM

I love V's ears. I think he has a fantastic crop

vivienne00 · 11-25-2012, 10:45 AM

Here is a photo of V's gorgeous crop and the same crop on his brother (Yoda) that didn't end up fitting his head or ear leather:

sky14 · 11-25-2012, 10:48 AM

If its not for show I think as long as ur dogs ears look good in your eyes who cares what ppl think of it.

But the basics I think is a clean shape
Clean edges
And a shape/size suitable to the head of a puppy.

I was concerned about those 3 things mainly when we got rikos ears done.

**PatchworkRobot** · 11-25-2012, 10:54 AM

vivienne00 - What a great comparison on why crops are "fitted" to the specific dog. It's amazing how the same crop can look so different on each of them.

Abby · 11-25-2012, 11:42 AM

I believe some cropping vets have galleries of recrops they have done on bad crops, I think THAT would be the best example for someone looking for good and bad comparisons, since all the Before pictures are bad, then you get to see a better crop on the same dog.

Problem is, I can't find any of these galleries. I'm almost positive Dr Patricia Edwards had a nice part of her portfolio dedicated to these before and afters, but I can't find the page anywhere.

Sam1491 · 11-25-2012, 11:55 AM

Like everyones mentioned, proportion and overall fitting the look to each head is the most important.

I like mabels but will admit it has just a smidge to much bell but it doesn't bug me since it only is so noticeable when she's alert versus relaxed, the length I prefer (i'm a short show/medium crops person)

When alert...just a little too much bell:

I really like her dads crop:

And then finally this is an example of a bad crop, they are too tall but actually nicely shaped when you hold them up, she also has thick ear leather so a shorter ear would have been better instead of these ears being unable to stand due to their own weight

Sam1491 · 11-25-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abby

I believe some cropping vets have galleries of recrops they have done on bad crops, I think THAT would be the best example for someone looking for good and bad comparisons, since all the Before pictures are bad, then you get to see a better crop on the same dog.

Problem is, I can't find any of these galleries. I'm almost positive Dr Patricia Edwards had a nice part of her portfolio dedicated to these before and afters, but I can't find the page anywhere.

I remember looking through this, it's linked in a thread on the forum somewhere....

FOUND IT

http://www.millstonepetdoc.com/album...l?albumId=3335

GingerGunlock · 11-25-2012, 01:49 PM

Elka's crop isn't so great. Her ears don't match. If they were both like the right ear, I would've been far happier. But, lesson learned. I so still love her, and she's still the prettiest dog my fiance or I have owned.

(it's also worth noting that I don't keep the hair on her ears trimmed, so you can see the "fringe" from the stitches)