We do offer cropping be performed while in our care, by our vet(s). We only offer a pet style /medium crop. UNLESS TOLD OTEHRWISE 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 pricing includes crop, additional vet care, vaccines, wound care, housing/feeding, as well as our time.*​

IMPORTANT: All puppies leaving our care cropped come with a pet crop.

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.
​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.

Reasons not to crop

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. Any crop can fail.
4) The floppy ears are cute/acceptable - A floppy ear is perfectly acceptable and many find it a cute trait.
When getting your puppy's ears cropped keep in mind the puppy will go home 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 refrain from posting. Contrary to tradition, 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.
Crops may fail (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.
I can accomedate the crop of your preference if ypu provide a clear photo of the front and side of the crop style you want. Photo must be provided one week prior to the surgery date. No crop is guaranteed to stand. If you have a stubborm 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.

Vets Who Crop

If you would like to have the vet of your choice crop your pups ears you are welcome to do so. We ask you use a vet who will perform pre-surgical blood screening to ensure your puppy is helathy enough for surgery.
Below you will find a list of vets who offer cropping. We may or may not have used the vets below. These are for reference only and we can not guarantee the surgical skill or affordability the vets offer.
Shively Animal Hospital - Shively, KY
Highland Animal Hospital - Highland, IN
Brown Veterinary Hospital - Terre Haute, IN
  • ​https://brownvethospital.com
  • (812) 645-0715
  • Crop price $420-800

Salem Veterinary Services - Salem, IN
  • ​http://salemvetservice.com
  • (812) 883-1109
  • Crop price $500+

Moore's Animal Clinic - Salem, IN
Southern Indiana Equine - Austin, IN
​Mooresville Animal Hospital - Mooresville, IN
Anne Midgarden, DVM - Wapakoneta,OH

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.
*Video for referrence only. I do not own this video.*

Zip Tie method

This method is very similar to the bacjer rod method, but using zip ties which are ligher weight. See the video below.
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
Picture

​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:
  • ​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
*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.*