cptrohn+Bo

I'm kinda torn right now about whether or not to crop my new boy Bo's ears or not, we had our first visit with the Vet yesterday and he was against it and said they do not perform the procedure there..

So I thought I would post and get some info from some more experienced owners about the pro's and con's of getting him cropped or not. I'm kinda leaning towards not getting them done, I don't plan on showing him(he's a pet quality dog, not show quality) or breeding him.. I do like the look of the cropped ears but don't want him to deal with any pain or stress he doesn't need...

Your guy's thoughts?

dobeguy

I am in the same boat you are. I have been thinking about whether to crop my upcomming pup.

Some of the pros: Completes the sleek look intended for the Dobe.
- Hearing is improved.
- I heard from a vet that a cropped Dobe is less likely to deveolop an ear infection? Which, is extremly painful in its own right.

Cons: Have to post the ears. This can be a long process. (depending on the type of crop) Alot of after care and close monitoring is required.
-Like all surgeries there are risks associated. Your dog's ears can get butchered and possibly may die.
- Cropped ears make a dog look more menacing and people could be more apprehensive.

Since your breeder did not get his ears cropped I would just leave it. Alot of vets are not experienced with ear cropping. Therefore it will cost alot of money and time to find one who is talented in this procedure. Since your already on the fence I would just leave them the way they are. You won't have to worry about posting, are they comming out alright etc....

If you really want your dog to be cropped than there are people here who can recommend a good vet somewhere in your area.... hopefully. Also, maybe you can contact your breeder and he/she can refer you to a good vet.

Personally, my breeder has all her dogs cropped before placing them and provides alot of support with the posting process. Which, is one reason I may get my guy's ears done.

__________________
""Life itself is only a vision. A dream. Nothing exists, save an empty space and you. And you are but a thought."

cptrohn+Bo

Thanks for the info dobeguy!

Unfortunatly I don't know the breeder, I just had to put my other dog to sleep a couple of weeks ago ( he was 17 years old and his arthritis had advanced to where his quality of life was to the point he was miserable. hardest thing I ever had to do) My new puppy was a gift from a life long friend that came across him and got him because he knew I was leaning towards getting a Dobe..


He did tell me that the breeders dog wasn't cropped though..

dobeguy

I'm sorry for your loss. But at least you had him for 17 years! It would be an absoloute dream for me to have a dog live that long. I remember I was just twelve when we had to put our family GSD down. It was real hard for me since he slept in my bed and all.

Anyways, I think you should just leave your dog uncropped. Ultimatly it is your decision though. Keep us posted to what you do and good luck!

__________________
""Life itself is only a vision. A dream. Nothing exists, save an empty space and you. And you are but a thought."

Luvbirds59

I didn't get my boy until he was 10 weeks old and already cropped. If he had been uncropped, I would NOT get him done. It has been a PITA posting and hoping his bad crop finally stays up and looks ok. He would have been much cuter looking with his ears down. My guy is back in Breath Right strips after 2months of being done posting, he is now 10 months old, his tips seem to weaken again, who knows when this will be over???

I don't think it bothers the dogs one bit, except maybe the first few days after the crop, and then with the posting, they don't act any different with the ears posted or unposted until they get older and you leave them unposted for the first week or so...and then they don't want them back in!

Enjoy your baby.....you are in for the best ride of your life! Petey is my first Dobie and it has been a blast!!!

Carol

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If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Henry David Thoreau, From "Walden

hbwright

If I were to go for a show dog then I would crop for obvious reasons but I've decided that I just wouldn't do it for any other reason. I've had one cropped and two natural eared and one with a natural tail and while all of them have been very different, they've all been dobes. You get used to the "dobe look" but you also get very used to the natural look very quickly. I'll admit it is also kind of fun to play with the ears (and the tail) and I like that. I never played with Cleo's ears but I did with both Mansen and Jordan.

I'm very sorry about the loss of your 17 year old boy. That shows the care you put into your babies. I've got a 13 year old and I feel so blessed for every day I have with her. I've learned to never take her for granted, especially after Cleo died.

I'll also share a dream I had, if it helps. Cleo was a very outgoing girl and loved everybody with hands to pet her and feet for her to lick. She was the social butterfly. I had a dream that I took her to my grandmothers nursing home and it was a huge community with shopping centers, restaurants, etc. When she went walking around everybody was scared of her and kept pushing her away and were mean to her. She felt so outcast and bad. --People were never afraid of Mansen and adore Jordan with his tail and all (even though he is the menace). I think it was that particular dream that made me decide that natural was the way for me.

cptrohn+Bo

"enjoy your baby you are in for the ride of your life.."

LOL Yes I can tell this already.... He would much rather play with my feet than his toys right now...and of course shoes.. he is infatuated with shoes.

cptrohn+Bo

Thanks for your input. I have never seen a dobe with the tails and the ears natural. Interesting and some good pics you have.

Patches Mom

I would not get a Dobe's ears cropped if not a show dog being a pet does not need it one thing not mentioned. You worry your self silly in cold weather about how long to let you r Fur Kid stay outside for zoomies,play ect. Always worry about the tips of cropped ears freezing.Buddy ears were already done when I got him he has the long show crop Jack_ _ _ ears he behaves like one at times had to put him back on a wait about 8 times yesterday trying to play hide & seek in the house.Plus you have to post the ears for 6-8 months and during all that time you worry about how they will turn out.
Patches Mom

Luvbirds59

Petey LOVES SHOES TOO! He will grab the persons shoes that he wants to play with him....and run away! He knows that will get them up and running, and this is Petey's favorite game....catch me if you can!!!! My sons and hubby are so dumb....they leave their shoes and sandals all over the place, so Petey is in heaven every single day!

oxc

__________________
~*LIVE~LOVE~LAUGH*~

~LET THE PEACE OF THE WILDERNESS BE WITH YOU~

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Henry David Thoreau, From "Walden