If you want to have a pet in your life, you might very well choose a dog. Dogs make sublime pets for the most part and can be wonderful to have in the family unit. Canines can act as friends, guardians, workout companions, and friends for your children and other pets all at once. They can be versatile, loving, friendly, and socially satisfying animals to have in our lives. However, some breeds can require a touch more detail and intricate thought than others. Take the Doberman, for example. Some suggest you need to get your Doberman’s ears cropped. Is this true? Do you need to undergo a Doberman crop ears service?
Let us look at the facts of the matter so you know exactly where you stand with your Doberman. Then, you can make a decision that feels suitable for you and your companion.
What is a Doberman?
Otherwise known as a Doberman Pinscher, the Doberman is a special breed of dog. They are known for being used in everything from law enforcement to the military, but they make amazing family dogs too. When trained from a young age, a Doberman can become very reliable and friendly. They can be great to have around your kids, too, as they act as both amazing friends and loving guardians. If your aim is to find a strong, proud, and engaging animal then the Doberman would be one of the best options around.
They make simply exceptional animals and would be the perfect choice for most people looking for something different. One thing to note about the Doberman, though, is that they have powerful and upright ears. Most dogs have floppy ears or ears that sag down, so this can look rather strange at first. However, over time, a Doberman will see its ears begin to sag down over time. Their ears do not stand up on their own – the ears might look like they stand up all the time, but they do not.
They actually are naturally floppy. Some choose, then, to try and give their Doberman this iconic ear styling at all times. To do this, you go through a Doberman ear crop. This is a commonly provided procedure that can give your Doberman that distinctive look at all times.
However, this is commonly a treatment reserved for those who want a purebred Doberman. For the average owner, this is not something that you need to really think about going for.
What is ear cropping for in a Doberman?
Ear cropping is, by its very nature, controversial. This is a surgical procedure carried out that actually removes part of the ear of the dog itself. This is typically carried out at a young age, of around 8 to 12 weeks. This is a surgical procedure that places your dog under anaesthesia. The ears of your Doberman puppy are then taped to a surface as they heal, forcing them to actually stand upright.
Why is this controversial? Some feel it is not right to put your dog through aesthetic surgery. Your dog cannot ask for or request such treatment. You make the decision – is it right to force your dog through what is a rather stressful experience simply because you want your dog to have ears that sit a certain way?
Many would say no. While it is not deemed unethical, some believe it is selfish to make your dog go through needless surgery. Many pet advocates believe that it would be fairer to leave surgical treatment for a dog, or any pet, when they actually need it. Changing the appearance of your pet canine to suit your own personal whims can seem a little selfish to some.
Is Doberman ear cropping a new trait?
Some assume that this surgical treatment is a new-fangled thing that people have taken to. Is this the case? Not really, in truth. Ear cropping for a Doberman has been a common tactic for some time now. Indeed, reports of this being used as a form of aesthetic treatment go back to the 1600s. The ears were cropped, then, for a function as opposed to pure aesthetics.
The ear cropping made sense because the Doberman was used for protection and guardian. Therefore, the ears were kept upright to help add that fearsome, strong look to the Doberman itself. Many felt their floppy ears lacked the same intensity and fear factor as having upright ears. So, a form of surgical treatment was concocted that helped to ensure those upright ears became a permanent fixture.
There are, though, some genuine reasons for giving your Doberman this treatment. For example, the floppy ears of a dog can get caught when hunting. As your dog runs at a rapid pace to catch the prey or the target, floppy ears will slosh around in the wind. If they end up getting caught on a tree or an obstacle, it could lead to ear damage – even ear loss. Attackers could also use those floppy ears against the dog, grabbing them and thus taking control of the dog through the discomfort caused by ear-grabbing.
Cropping meant that many ear injuries could be avoided as the ears would not get caught. It also, some believe, helped with ensuring that the ears would heal properly as time went on. So, this is not an outlandish tactic – it has a long history of being used in Doberman care.
Why should I use Doberman ear cropping?
The two main reasons are cosmetic and functional. The cosmetic reasons are somewhat harder to justify in your mind. The safety and functional reasons at least have a purpose. Putting your dog through anaesthesia and surgery should be something you only do when needed. If you know you will be using a Doberman for hunting, for example, ear cropping could make more sense in that context.
However, the main reason comes down to those who want to breed purebred Doberman dogs. They use the upright ear treatment as this is seen as a part of being accepted into the American Kennel Club. The AKC has its own standards for what a dog that is permitted to join should look like. For a Doberman, that typically means having upright ears.
Ear cropping, then, is mostly seen as something you do for your dog if you want it to look the part. There are, though, a few other main benefits to think about, including:
∙ Improving the hearing of your dog is suggested as a reason. Some believe that a Doberman ear crop could help to improve their ability to both pick up and then localize sounds in the distance.
∙ Make sure your dog can look after its health and wellbeing. As noted, cropped ears are less likely to get caught as your dog runs around and chases other animals, avoiding potential injury.
∙ This can also, it is believed, be useful for making sure that your Doberman is less likely to get dirt trapped in its ear. Trapped dirt can lead to infections and health problems for your Doberman.
∙ Ears that are cropped are less likely to become injured in an accident as they are kept in a place unlikely to be harmed. Floppy ears, though, are more likely to get caught, jammed, or torn.
Making a decision on your Doberman ear crop
One thing to note is that Doberman cropping of the ears will take time to heal. This can take as long as one full year, and often a minimum of five months. That is a fair portion of life for your dog to be basically injured and in recovery. Your dog might not take it easy, though, leading to the risk of damage and complications afterwards.
For the duration of recovery, you need to be extremely vigilant with watching and looking after your Doberman. You need to be willing to commit to the time and the treatment that will ensure they heal accordingly.
Also, put simply most of the reasons that are seen as beneficial are unproven in many ways. Many of the reasons why your dog goes through this are for your own personal aesthetic choices. The benefits we have suggested above are, like many benefits for dogs, assumed and lack the kind of rigorous testing to be proven. As such, you need to ask yourself if it is worth putting your dog through that stress and challenge.
Many believe that it is not. Many times, too, surgery can fail due to cartilage issues, incorrect crop sizing, and scar tissue. As such, you should not expect that your Doberman can be given ear cropping. And if it cannot be cropped at the ears, it does not make your Doberman any less of a specimen. The reasons for crops failing are varied – do not let this put you off your beautiful Doberman.
After all of the fuss and stress that can come with Doberman ear cropping, it could all be for nothing. So, please think carefully before you commit to putting your dog through what can be a rather confusing, challenging treatment.