Remember: Alteration Is an Option
If youâre thinking about getting a puppy whose breed often gets docked or cropped, ask yourself: Are the risks and pain my dog may experience worth it? âWhen I bring surgery up with [potential pet owners], many donât even realize itâs a choice,â Roark says. If youâre getting your dog from a breeder, make sure they know before the dog is born if you donât want your puppy docked, Serpell says.
Or avoid the question altogether by getting an older dog.
Owner preferences are also an important consideration. Some owners prefer a cut that is shorter or taller than the traditional standard. A slightly bigger bell at the base of the ear can make the ear stand more easily and limit the effort involved in postings, but other owners see a larger bell as less desirable due to its appearance. Because every dog receives a custom cut, we can make adjustments to suit personal preferences. We encourage owners to bring in a photo or two to illustrate the type of cut they desire. Prior to the procedure, we meet with each owner to discuss the style of cut desired and explain our personal technique for ensuring a regal, elegant result.
The individual characteristics of each dog are used in sculpting the ears. Dogs with long, floppy ears will need a little more than the standard ratio removed, in order to avoid a “jack ass” look. A female with a petite, narrow face will benefit from a slightly narrower cut. It takes artistic vision to match the cut to the face of the dog. We pride ourselves in taking the time to contemplate the outcome, before beginning the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, it is essential that the owner who will be doing the follow-up postings and care attend with his/her pet. There are important things to discuss that cannot easily be relayed through a friend or a relative. While local clients are invited to drop off their puppy without staying for an appointment if they choose, new clients MUST schedule a morning appointment on the morning of the procedure so that we can review the pertinent medical history, ensure that the puppy is in good health, and outline the procedure and protocols.
We do not believe that it is our place to say whether or not a dog’s ears should be cropped, but for those who choose to crop, we feel it is our obligation to provide a protocol that emphasizes the safety and comfort of the puppy.
At Clermont Animal Hospital, we recognize that ear crops are becoming a lost art—an art we are trying to preserve. It is a technique that is not being taught in veterinary schools and is difficult or impossible to learn from a book. Some veterinarians who crop ears use forms to perform a “standardized” crop. Our doctors feel that this does not allow for the individuality of each animal. Instead, we provide a customized crop for every dog. This is an art that requires a good eye for symmetry and balance, as well as experience to know how a dog is likely to “grow into” his ears. Before each ear crop, we meet with clients to make sure that we are all on the same page regarding the desired look and result. In each case, we take the following factors into careful consideration when sculpting the ears of the patient:
15 Common Breeds With Docked Tails
The AKC recognizes 62 breeds with docked tails. Below are some of the most familiar breeds.
Dog Ear Cropping the pros and cons of Ear Cropping?
Ear cropping and tail docking are common today, but are these practices necessary or merely cosmetic? These procedures seem archaic to some, but it’s still considered the norm for certain dog breeds. We explore this topic and give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your pup. Table Of Contents
Cropping, also known as clipping dogs’ ears, removes all or part of the external ear flap on a dog. Many countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, ban this practice (as well as tail docking) because it’s thought to be purely cosmetic; thus, it’s considered animal cruelty to perform unnecessary surgery on an animal.