We do offer cropping be performed while in our care, by our vet(s). We only offer a pet style /medium crop. UNLESS REQUESTED OTHERWISE ALL PUPS WILL BE CROPPED. If you would like a pup with natural ears be sure we know prior to the surgery date.
*NOTE: Our puppy pricing includes ear cropping, additional vet care, vaccines, wound care, housing/feeding, as well as our time.*
*NOTE: Our puppy pricing includes ear cropping, additional vet care, vaccines, wound care, housing/feeding, as well as our time.*
(Both dogs pictured above were cropped by Dr. Brown at Brown's Vet Hospital in Terre Haute, IN.)
IMPORTANT: All puppies leaving our care cropped come with a medium/pet crop.
Educational Resources
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Reasons to crop
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The American Doberman Standard calls for cropping, though natural ears are not a fault. There are benefits to cropping, though not much research is done on the matter. Here are some reasons to crop;
1) Erect ears are natural ears. - Domestication has caused ears to flop/fall down and crease. Floppy ears are not found in wild dog breeds. See here: Domestication Syndrome 2) Medical Benefits - Reduces the risk of hematomas, torn ears, ear infections* (mixed research, I am saying so from personal experience), and catching ears on things (although rare). 3) Maintains breed standard - Ear cropping is standard and helps preserve the breed image. 4) Ears can be easily torn, split, scarred and injured especially at the tips/ends of the ear. Repeated injury is susceptible to infection, surgery to remove the bad tissue, or even cancer. Cropping is not for everyone. It is a surgical procedure and there is mild pain and discomfort. Some dogs have adhesive allergies or don't do well during/after anesthesia. Surgery always comes with risks such as infection, improper wound healing and death. Great blog on the topic here: DobermansDen |
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Reasons not to crop
Doberman with a failed (flopped) crop. - original image found here
Images of tan puppy belong to bullhaven.wordpress.com
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1) Don't support the procedure - It is a surgical procedure and cosmetic. Not all people agree ear cropping is ethical.
2) Don't want to post - Posting takes dedication, patience, and lots of time. It is not something everyone has the mindset to do. 3) Risk of failed crop/infection - Any surgery and wound site has risk of infection, complications, and death. Any crop can fail. 4) The floppy ears are cute/acceptable - A floppy ear is perfectly acceptable and many find it a cute trait. Did you know floppy ears need maintenance too? To avoid wisping ears (ears that don't lay as they should) you may have to tape them down, under the jaw. That trains the ears to lie down flat, not kinking or wisping up.
Taping Natural Ears 1) Apply tacky tape to tip of outer ear 2) Repeat step one with the other ear 3) pull taunt but not too tightly underneath the chin using a 3rd piece of tape to connect the ears *skin glue or surgical glue can be used on the tips to encourage better bonding and adhesion. |
When getting your puppy's ears cropped keep in mind the puppy will still need to be posted. That means you will need to continue posting until the ears stand. Posting can take anywhere from 1 week to 6 months to stand. Every dog is different. The average time to stand takes about 2 months. Don't be discouraged if your individual puppy takes longer to stand. Some Dobes need to be posted through their teething into their adult teeth, which can be up until the dog is 6-8 months old.
After surgery we refrain from posting. Contrary to what many vets say, it is best to let the wounds heal until the scabs start to fall off BEFORE posting. Posting while the wound is moist and fresh runs a higher risk of infection and pain. Once the scabs are healed it is easier and less irritating for the puppy to post. If possible, post using a method that leaves the stitching exposes so it can air out. If you are anxious to post do so with breathable tape, change dressings daily or even multiple times a day, and try to use methods that keep the sutures exposed to the air.
After surgery we refrain from posting. Contrary to what many vets say, it is best to let the wounds heal until the scabs start to fall off BEFORE posting. Posting while the wound is moist and fresh runs a higher risk of infection and pain. Once the scabs are healed it is easier and less irritating for the puppy to post. If possible, post using a method that leaves the stitching exposes so it can air out. If you are anxious to post do so with breathable tape, change dressings daily or even multiple times a day, and try to use methods that keep the sutures exposed to the air.
Crops may fail (scar improperly, crease, fall, bend or never stand). One ear may be wider/thinner/longer/shorter. Surgeons make mistakes. Surgery has risks. Some dogs have severe reactions during surgery. We cannot guarantee a crop will stand nor will meet your expectations. There is no refund for failed crops or accidental death during surgery. I can gladly refer you to vets who do corrective crops and crop repairs, to help a flopped or failed crop to stand.
No crop is guaranteed to stand. If you have a stubborn ear or ears keep posting. You can post for months until they stand. The ear leather isn't truly set until the dog stops maturing. It is safe to keep posting. I have posted as late as 1.5 yrs old. Again, some crops fail; won't stand, uneven, poorly cut. Cartilage can break and cause an ear to flop which may require surgery (or just acceptance that the ear will not stand).
Posting methods
Traditional Posting Method - Rods/Backer Rod Method
You can buy backer rods from hardware stores. You can use nearly anything as a rod: foam rods, rolled paper towel or foam pads, pop-sickle sticks, foam hair rollers, tampons, etc.
If you make your own rods; using your base (paper towel, foam pads, ect) roll it and tape down the center. Tape the rod completely so none of the base is showing. Tape the top and bottoms. Cut off excess tape. You're done!
How to post: fit one inside the ear, tape the TOP first, tape the base pulling the bell around firmly so the rod doesn't slip out, tape repeat for the other ear, tape a bridge on bottom and on top pulling the two ears erect with a slight outward V (as a dog's ears don't point straight up naturally, only when alert). You can bridge the bottom, middle or top with tape.
If you make your own rods; using your base (paper towel, foam pads, ect) roll it and tape down the center. Tape the rod completely so none of the base is showing. Tape the top and bottoms. Cut off excess tape. You're done!
How to post: fit one inside the ear, tape the TOP first, tape the base pulling the bell around firmly so the rod doesn't slip out, tape repeat for the other ear, tape a bridge on bottom and on top pulling the two ears erect with a slight outward V (as a dog's ears don't point straight up naturally, only when alert). You can bridge the bottom, middle or top with tape.
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*Video for referrence only. I do not own this video.*
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Zip Tie Method
This method is very similar to the backer rod method, but using zip ties which are lighter weight. See the video below.
What You Need:
What You Need:
- medical glue
- Zip ties
- Scissors
- 2 large cotton balls
- Duct tape
- Medical tape (strong cloth tape)
*Video for referrence only. I do not own this video.*
MicroFoam/moleform Method
This method uses self adhesive sole inserts cut to size glued inside the ears. It allows the ears to breath freely and reduces the risk of a bent in ear. The pieces are glued into the ears. It is suggested to still bridge the top, middle or base to encourage the ears to stand up in the alert position. You can also tape the glued foam onto the ear as additional support.
*Photo for referrence only. I do not own the photo nor the dog.*
*Video for referrence only. I do not own this video.*
A similar product/method can be purchased from Amazon. Click this link: DYNWAVE DOG EAR INSERTS and SM SunniMix Ear Stand
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DYNWAVE Insert pictured on the left, SM SunniMix pictured on the right
*I do not own these images. For reference only.*
Cup Method
*Photos for referrence only. I do not own the photos nor the dogs.*
This method uses a foam cup as the support. To try this method you will need:
Start by trimming any excess from cup so it sits even on the head, not compressing the base of the ears. Next, wrap the cup in duct tape (this helps the ears glue hold best to the cup (if gluing) and helps the medical tape adhere). Pull an ear up, if gluing apply glue yo the back of the ear and press to the cup, tape the ear (either along the ear front edge, around the top and bottom, or down the center of the ear) to the cup. Done.
- foam cups
- Duct tape
- Medical/cloth tape
- Medical adhesive (optional)
Start by trimming any excess from cup so it sits even on the head, not compressing the base of the ears. Next, wrap the cup in duct tape (this helps the ears glue hold best to the cup (if gluing) and helps the medical tape adhere). Pull an ear up, if gluing apply glue yo the back of the ear and press to the cup, tape the ear (either along the ear front edge, around the top and bottom, or down the center of the ear) to the cup. Done.
*Video for referrence only. I do not own this video.*
Ear Trainer, "Halo"/Ear Rack and ear stands
This method uses a helmet or ear trainer to hold the ears up. This allows fresh air to flow inside the ear and over the stitches in fresh crops, which reduces infection and irritation.
You can make your own rack with common hardware store items (wire, duct tape, backer rod foam, scissors and wire cutters).
You can buy a rack online, click here: Ear Posting Rack
You can make your own rack with common hardware store items (wire, duct tape, backer rod foam, scissors and wire cutters).
You can buy a rack online, click here: Ear Posting Rack
*Photo for reference only. I do not own the photo nor the dog.*
*Video for reference only. I do not own this video.*
Amazon sells another form of ear rack here, at this link: Ear Stand Up for Doberman Pinscher
*Image is for reference only. I do not own this image.*