What do you say to the people who give you flak for cropping and docking?

[SlitherinSisters]

I haven't gotten too much flack for it, but on those rare occassions that I have, I just smile and tell them I appreciate their opinion and then quickly move on. Getting into an argument about it rarely changes anyone's minds and isn't worth my time, personally.

Having done a lot of research and speaking with several breeders before getting my dobe, I learned that very few truly good breeders will even allow their pups to not be cropped and docked. The whole littler is docked (and dewclaws removed) when they are just a couple days old....and many whole litters are cropped at the same time before going to new homes as well. The primary reason I was given for this was that if a time should ever come that the dog needs to go to a new home, they are far far more likely to be placed if they are both cropped and docked. "Natural" dobies are way more likely to end up in shelters and be put to sleep.

You know, I didn't even think about that. Natural Dobermans are probably much more likely to not find a home or be put to sleep. If I was looking for an adult I would be looking for one that was cropped. I would have loved to adopt one, but I just can't take the risk of not knowing where or how my "dangerous" breed dog grew up. I didn't realize how dangerous the public still thinks dobes are. My mom called me up one day because her insurance company called to ask if she had one of the three lock-jaw breeds: pit bull, rot, and doberman. We spoke with our insurance company and they are still covering our house thank goodness!!!

I personally think the ear cropping for prevention of ear infections is a load of bunk. If anything, more dirt and debris can enter the ear canal. As a groomer, I see way more schnauzers with cropped ears having ear issues, than ones with uncropped ears. I don't think it CAUSES ear issues though.
Ear cropping, and tail docking is a cosmetic procedure, and there is no other reason for it. It's not illegil here, and until it is illegil, people will continue to have it preformed on some dogs.
I like dobies with cropped ears and tails. I like the look of it. I still think it's a unneccesary procedure, and for show, any OTHER surgery to alter the dog's appearance is grounds for disqualification, so I don't know why they still allow docking and cropping in show dogs.
I do NOT think ear cropping affects the dog past the first few days of recovery. As long as the owner isn't pulling at the ears or anything, I don't think the dog will remember anything about it at all. The tail docking is normally done at day 3 or earlier, and is harmless, with the pups rarely showing any ill effect(same with dew claw removal which DOES have good reasons behind it). The vet next to the shop I worked at did show ear cropping, and I watched a LOT of pups go through it, and they did not seem to be bothered by it.
If someone bugged me about my cropped dog, I'd tell them to mind their own business, that my dog was perfectly happy, and walk on. Life's too short to bother paying attention to lunatics.

That's what I think, they aren't going to remember it. And it seems to be relatively painless just a week later. I've always wondered why people think it's ok to remove the dew claws. It must have some sort of health reason? The only reason I've ever experienced is the large breeds will call the crap out of you if they jump on you or play with their feet.

Alright... here we go.

First off, let me say that your pup is adorable. Her little(or big I guess) radar ears are so cute - and they will be gorgeous when she grows into them - right now they are just adorable though.

That being said, I like my dogs with tails and floppy ears and a couple years ago I may have had more to say about getting dogs tails docked and ears cropped but I learned something very important.

As anyone can see to get ears cropped and have them the way you want them (not flopping) it takes a lot of time and care! As your pictures hvae been showing you have to have them taped and tend to them and check on them, it isn't something that just over and done and you don't have to follow up. So honestly, everytime I see a dobie with cropped ears sticking up - to me that says someone cared a lot about that dog and put a lot of time into that dog.

And then I worked in a dog shelter and I saw a lot of dogs with no homes, that were abused, that lived horrible lives and a lot of them that ended that horrible life by being put down somewhere that wasn't a home - that some of them never knew a home and I got a lot of perspective on the kinds of things that are inhumane and the kinds of things that aren't.

So I could lie and say I've never had a problem with it - but I did used to so I guess you could call me a convert. Because even something that is done for cosmetic purposes, who cares? The dog is in a loving home, the dog is well taken care of - and honestly.. the dog really seems like it couldn't care less about its ears being cropped or its tail being docked.

Bottom line that I'd tell people that give you flak - the dog is loved, the dog is happy, the dog is healthy. What else is important?

That's a good point. It does take a lot of time and effort, not to mention money, to get their ears to stand up and look nice. Last week I was pointing ointment on her ears twice a day to help them heal faster. It's not a one person simple job either! They are tricky, bouncy little buggers! We take the tape off again on Tuesday and leave it off for a day. It will be so exciting when we can leave the tape off and look at her ears all day! I'm kind of excited because the vet will see her without the tape! One of the vet techs wants a dobe and really wants to see how well her ears turned out. I love my baby and I can't wait till she has all her shots and I can show her off to everyone! So far I've only taken her places with people and no dogs. One of the pet stores in Iowa City is known to have puppies with Parvo and I'm not stepping foot in there until she has all of her shots!