[annolyn]

I was at a pet store today, killing time, and flipped open one of those breed books. I was casually flipping through the pages when I came to page 56... In the top left corner there was a picture of a young doberman puppy, someone holding him/her and a pair of scissors toward the puppy's head. I figured this was probably just some sort of picture relating to grooming, then I read the caption. It was in regards to the already touchy subject of ear cropping. It stated that ear cropping is done between 5-7 days right next to this picture of someone holding a pair of scissors next to a dobe pup's head!
I was completely shocked to see such a blatant lie about a topic that is already taboo in most of the world. Nothing around this picture said anything truthful about ear cropping.
The book is called:
Comprehensive Owner's Guide: Doberman Pinscher
It is written by:
Lou-Ann Cloidt
and is published by:
Kennel Club Books

I encourage everyone to go and see this for yourselves. I went to amazon and was hoping to be able to look at page 56 using their "Look Inside" feature, but could not.
Does anyone have a copy of this book? Would anyone be able to post this atrocity for other DT members to see?

I think someone from the DPCA or UDC or something should write a letter to this publisher and author.
Cause that's ridiculous.

 

[melbrod]

Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
You can pull up the page if you go to Look Inside this Book and use the search function with the words ear cropping. Four choices come up you can select the appropriate one.

I left a review (with my real name--oops) in their review section, because I did find the information and picture to be egregiously incorrect and damaging.

 

[Megs]

I have the book; it was the first Doberman book I ever bought (it came from a pet store), before I realized there are far better Doberman breed-general books available. One thing I've noticed about the book is that many of the pictures look really out-dated. For example, the picture on pg 56 is of the same woman pictured on pg 38 holding a puppy; her glasses, hairstyle, earrings, and blouse/vest look more like something you would see in 1980, not 2003 when my copy of the book was published. This same lady is pictured on pg 54 weighing a very young pup, so it looks as though she's a "breeder" (or posing as one).

Something else I've noticed is that many of the photos in this book were taken in the UK (or elsewhere overseas). The picture on pg 95 shows two uncropped dogs in a conformation show ring. It's highly unlikely this picture was taken in North America. I wonder about the photos of the "breeder," on pages 38, 54, 56? Anyone recognize her?

I'm sort of guessing the book may have originally been written and/or edited in the UK where ear cropping has been banned for a long time; perhaps the photo/caption continue to be used in subsequent publications due to ignorance on the part of the editor; a lot of readers wouldn't know any different either. Whatever the case, I absolutely agree the picture on page 56 is a ridiculous representation of modern day ear crop surgery, with incorrect information contained within the caption, and should really be removed from any further publication.

I can't scan/copy/post anything from the book though, due to copyright.

 

[Sherryh]

If the book is being written and published in a diiferent country.......we can write the store owner that made the decision to bring that book in and put it on their shelves. Please don't think that (store owner) listen or read our comments thats how they make a living. Let them know what this book is out dated and not current with the information we have today. Don't be afraid to give a list of great doberman books......

 

[SReed912]

You can't believe everything you read!

 

[bean]

Holy....

That is just mind blowing.
Thanks mel - I found it by searching for "ear cropping" here - click next until you see it.

http://www.amazon.com/Doberman-Pins...06/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top#reader_1593782306


Is someone here a DPCA member that can bring it to their attention? Would it do anything?

I seriously can't get over it. Makes me cringe to even see it. *shudder*

 

[Soleil]

Reading this thread it sounds bad enough, but seeing that picture... uggghhh!!!!!!!!! What the bloody hell!

 

[CH4Sure]

check out pg 48 it says that ears are usually cropped between 2and five DAYS old. Who writes this crap and what kind of editor is it that they are not fact checking the author? ridiculous.

 

[RottenVonSpotten]

I have to wonder if they actually went through with the ear cropping or if this scenario was just staged for the picture? Hope it was the latter...

 

[CH4Sure]

I would think and I'm no lawyer here but if someone were to follow their guidelines and something terrible happened wouldnt they be able to sue for misleading info? that in and of itself should make that book be recalled.

 

[Hank]

I have this book and didnt even notice that.

They just use random photos and use it out of its context. They do this all the time in books/articles/ads etc

example: pictures of people clipping dogs paw hair with scissors and then the text says they are cutting the dogs nails.

Most of the books arent breed specific other than a few pages. The grooming/diet/excerise/health are almost always the same in all the books. Like none of the brushes on pg 67 are even approriate for a doberman, so why even show them?

And on pg 56 where it says that white is an unacceptable color, but it doesnt say anything about albinosim.

I understand why it is upsetting though. Im staring that that photo right now trying to figure out what they ARE doing to that pup.

 

[Hank]

I just remembered.
I bought this same Kennel Club book for the German Pinscher, back when I really wanted one. It is written by Sharon Morgan of Windamir Des Charmettes.
Its very good and detailed with info about the different types even some US vs UK differences.
I was very disappointed when I got the Dobe book later, lack of any good info.
Does anyone even know who Lou-Ann Cloidt is?

 

[melbrod]

I have this book and didnt even notice that.

They just use random photos and use it out of its context. They do this all the time in books/articles/ads etc

example: pictures of people clipping dogs paw hair with scissors and then the text says they are cutting the dogs nails.

Most of the books arent breed specific other than a few pages. The grooming/diet/excerise/health are almost always the same in all the books. Like none of the brushes on pg 67 are even approriate for a doberman, so why even show them?

And on pg 56 where it says that white is an unacceptable color, but it doesnt say anything about albinosim.

I understand why it is upsetting though. Im staring that that photo right now trying to figure out what they ARE doing to that pup.

Pictures out of context, like incorrect grooming equipment, are one thing, but cropping ears with scissors or shears IS something that shows up in poor mistreated puppies. To seem to indicate that that is the proper technique is just asking for copycat behavior.

 

[Hank]

Pictures out of context, like incorrect grooming equipment, are one thing, but cropping ears with scissors or shears IS something that shows up in poor mistreated puppies. To seem to indicate that that is the proper technique is just asking for copycat behavior.

I was thinking maybe they used the pic to show cutting stitches on the dogs ear too. Not necessarily cropping the ears themselves, but people would deff take that the wrong way.

 

[noodlerubyallie]

That doesn't surprise me. I found another bad one at Barnes & Noble and out of curiosity's sake downloaded it to my Nook - it reads like it was a paper someone wrote and simply replaced the breed of the dog with a new breed every time. So all of the info is the same, just the name of the dog is different. I don't even think it was technically published by a company - just an individual who decided he was the foremost authority on the "Dobermann Pincher."

I think they used "Doberman Shepard" one time. Needless to say, Sizzle and I were dying of laughter when I read it as entertainment on a road trip.

That's why I feel you have to do research - good, solid research - when you want information on something. And follow your instincts if something just doesn't sound or feel right.

 

[spocksdad]

I can't get over the picture caption on page 60: "For such a large breed, the Doberman Pincher is relatively undemanding on his owner"
N O T ! ! ! That statement is blatantly false!

I guess the author never experienced multiple Dobe pokes every minute striving for attention, potty, scratching, treats, walks or play!!!!

 

[Q734]

Went to get Nina new toys this eve and flipped through this atrocity as it was on the shelf.

On the same page as the scissor photo is a brief mention of albino dobes being (paraphrasing) "fine pets as long as their hearing is checked for deafness".:smile10:

 

[MsMoppett]

HO-LEEE JEEBUS!

That is atrocious! Let's get on writing the publisher about inaccuracies! As a publisher, it is their duty to make sure the information in the book is up to date and accurate. Hold 'em accountable!