re: Recommendations for Dog ear cropping

Great looking dog Car, can't wait to see mine grow up. We're full swing in the dobershark phase, biting everything. He likes to wake up at 2-3am and that's when he really gets amped up
Thanks to those who gave sound advice, I think I'm going to go with Dr Helwin, he was recommended by my vet and a couple of other people I've talked to and on here.
My pup will be 7 weeks old on Friday, I think I'm going to try and get his ears done at 9 weeks. Here's a few pics of my little guy.





The terror sleeping, he dreams a ton and is very vocal if you nudge him while he's asleep.

Thanks

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AubieALUMdvm

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I love how an actual vet shows up and gives advice and gets chastised for it.

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A vet is a vet, not a person whole doles out the laws on the morality of cropping and docking dogs.

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i wonder what other witty comment they will com up with.

I do plan to get another dobe when mine gets to old age. and i will have its ears cropped again.

I have no dog in this fight (literally), but a dobie with no cropped ears looks like a hound

A pretty dog, but it looks like a bluetick more than a dobie

I don't see anything wrong with that.

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A pretty dog, but it looks like a bluetick more than a dobie

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Does a bluetick with cropped ears look like a dobie?

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A vet is a vet, not a person whole doles out the laws on the morality of cropping and docking dogs.

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Teague is right. I've seen more ear cropping procedures than anyone else here and have seen more ear standing failures (yeah, it does happen even to the best croppers) than anyone else here but it's still just my opinion.

I dont know for certain that the practice will die in my lifetime but I think it will. 10 years ago I could name 10 vets instantly who would do the surgery. Now, in a major city, I don't know a single one who would even consider it. I'm sure there will always be a couple who would do it (as long as it's legal) but I don't see how it won't become harder to find someone who will do it in years to come. Good riddance is my opinion.

Dobie without cropped ears is more of a black and tan hound vs bluetick.

I believe their ears were cropped originally to help with hearing as guard dogs. But IMO... it's your dog and if done correctly, great. If he/she is a true outside dog then I would think twice since erect ear have no protection if the dog is out in the rain. Yes, people leave their dogs outside without shelter for some damn reason.

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10 years ago I could name 10 vets instantly who would do the surgery. Now, in a major city, I don't know a single one who would even consider it.

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But how much of that is due to the fact that a large percentage of pet owners are bleeding heart PETA types who will raise a stink if they find out the Vet is cropping ears? I know that isn't the only reason. Many vets come from the same ranks as those PETA types, so I'm sure they're against it anyway. And some might have actual rational opinions and just prefer not to do it. But, I'm also quite certain that many don't do it because of the outcry I mentioned above.

It's difficult for me to take seriously a person who is against something like cropping or docking, yet is fine with the many severely brachiocephalic, or otherwise grossly deformed dogs. A quick operation and a healthy life vs. bulldogs with a lifetime of barely breathing, GSD's that can barely walk, deaf dalmatians, etc.

We've spent centuries manipulating dogs to be what we want. Some creations are better than others. Cropping and docking was done for a reason. Sometimes, with working dogs, those reasons still exist. But, even in non-working dogs, these "traits" have become as much a part of the breed as any of the traits that have been bred into them. And, as I said, I think cropping and docking are far more ethical than some of the genetic "creations" we've come up with that most people accept or even like.

That's my two pennies.