Cropping the ears and tail of Doberman dogs

Dog owners, vets, and animal rights activists have long disagreed over the practice of cropping Doberman dogs’ ears and tails. Some people think it’s a custom that improves the breed’s appearance and aids in upholding standards. Some contend that the animal suffers needlessly during the process.

Although ear and tail cropping has a long history, especially with working dogs, it’s critical to comprehend the motivations behind it as well as the moral dilemmas it raises. Animal welfare concerns have led to the restriction or outright ban of these practices in many countries.

It’s important for anyone thinking about getting their Doberman surgery to balance the possible risks with the potential benefits. Making an informed decision about what’s best for their dog can be aided by being aware of all sides of the debate.

How and at what age do they crop a Doberman"s ears

All novice dog breeders are interested in at what age a Doberman"s ears are cropped so that the dog can endure this procedure painlessly. Puppies" ears are cropped at six to seven weeks of age (by this age they should weigh 4-5.5 kg). At this age, they tolerate the operation more easily than at nine to twelve weeks. As soon as they come out of anesthesia, they are immediately ready to frolic, play and eat, and the ears at this age heal much faster. Sometimes ears in Doberman are performed at twelve age, until a change of teeth. Most veterinarians are ready to make it eight -day puppies. Regardless of the age when the ears are stopped by the Doberman, the puppy should be in excellent condition and not have worms, it is better to introduce a small amount of anti -fiction serum a few days before the operation.

So, we stop Doberman – how to do it right? In order to correctly calculate the length that should be cut off, you need to straighten the ear along the cheek without pulling it. To measure the length, you need to use a hygienic stick, laying it on the inner surface of the auricle, along the outer edge, from the base to the tip of the ear, and make a mark on it. Having measured the length of the segment, we apply another mark – about a third of the first and put the wand again in the same place to know where the incision begins. If the ear is cut exactly one third of its original length, it will be short, so crop it a little longer, depending on the sex and constitution of the puppy. Usually you can add 0.5-1 cm – this is quite enough. An experienced veterinarian can determine this length by eye. After making an incision, the ear is cut from the tip parallel to the outer edge, strictly along a straight line, and at the base, so that it looks nice from the front, the cut is slightly rounded.

Watching the video "Cropping the ears of a Doberman" will provide you a better understanding of the procedure:

How to set the ears of a Doberman puppy after docking and how to care for them (with photos)

After being docked, Doberman ears must be adjusted. You can do the "garter" while the puppy is still under anesthesia and lying peacefully on the table.

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How to set the ears of a Doberman after docking so that they meet the standards? To do this, you need to take a four-centimeter wide patch and apply it on both sides of the ear, without covering the just cut edge. The sticky surface of the patch treated with ether will stick more firmly to the ear. Then you need to make a bridge between the ears from a centimeter-wide plaster so that they stand strictly up and forward, as they should. In the process of how to put the ears of a Doberman after cropping, remember that the bridge should be at the height of half the length of the ear, without covering the postoperative incision, then you can treat it twice a day, in addition, healing occurs much faster in the air. For treatment, you can use furacilin ointment ("Furatsin") or "Panalog", and also powder the ear at the base with "BFI". If folds appear, they should be carefully straightened, otherwise the ears may subsequently stand up incorrectly.

How should cropped Doberman ears be cleaned following surgery? Remove the thread after a week; if the edges were sutured correctly (i.e., with a continuous suture), all that’s left to do is cut and remove the knot at the base of the ear.

This method is especially effective when the ears are erect, but one of them is a little soft. The idea is to set the weak ear at the expense of the strong one. Sometimes it is enough to simply connect the ears together with a strip of Plaster 2.5 cm wide. With this method, the dog can freely move its ears, catching the sound, and strain them, but where there are several playful puppies, it is better not to use it. If the dog is under the control of the owner or there are adult dogs in the house – it is ideal. Use this method in the case when the puppy"s ears first stood up, and then suddenly drooped. You should not pull the ears together too tightly, otherwise it is better to cut the patch in the middle and connect it again, but more freely.

You can cut the thread several times to remove it in sections. The important thing is to make sure you remove it all, as failing to do so could leave a scar or cause a secondary infection. Consult a veterinarian to do it if you lack confidence in your ability.

Following surgery, the Doberman’s cropped ears are seen in these pictures:

Doberman dog cropping, which was once done for aesthetic purposes or to improve the dog’s ability to guard, is a contentious practice that is currently being discussed more and more because of worries about animal welfare. While many animal rights organizations and veterinarians contend that the procedure is painful and needless, some breeders and owners think it preserves the iconic appearance of the breed. Pet owners should, in the end, consider all sides of the argument and make an educated choice that puts their dog’s health and wellbeing first.

A method for setting the ears of a Doberman after cropping (with video)

Foam rubber is a useful tool when it comes to training a Doberman to wear ears. How can I use this method to set a Doberman’s ears?

The ears must first be clean, meaning there must be no signs of blood on them. To achieve this, the wet areas must be thoroughly dried with a hairdryer after being carefully cleaned.

To set a Doberman puppy’s ears using this method, first prepare a 5 cm wide piece of foam rubber (preferably soft; this type of rubber is used for upholstery), a 2.5 cm wide wig tape (wig stores sell it), and 1 and 2.5 cm wide adhesive tape.

The foam rubber is cut in the shape of a small wedge, so that the length of the base corresponds to the distance between the inner edges of the base of the ears, and the height is slightly greater than their length (for this, they should be freely raised up). The base of the wedge should not be straight, but should correspond to the shape of the puppy"s head, so it should be slightly concave. Now you need to take a wig tape with sticky tape on both sides and wrap it around the foam. After doing this, place the foam on the puppy"s head so that it sticks, and glue the ears on the sides (with the back surface, so that the inner one faces outward). Make sure that they are located symmetrically, pointing strictly upwards, and the cut edges are well straightened. While you apply a 1 cm wide patch from the base of the inner surface of the ear to its top, and from there to the top and base of the other ear, an assistant should hold them up. Now take a 2.5 cm wide patch, apply it to the inner surface of one ear, glue it to the foam rubber in front and also attach it to the second
ear. The resulting jumper should be located in the middle between the tips of the ears and the top of the skull.

This technique for adjusting the Doberman’s ears ensures that the foam rubber stays securely on the head and that the ears are properly stretched and straightened until they heal completely. You won’t have any trouble taking out the foam rubber when the time comes.

No matter how you do it, make sure there is no inflammation; if there is, the ears will either not stand at all or stand incorrectly. It is easier for the puppy to tolerate and more acceptable to use foam rubber.

The "Setting the Doberman’s ears" video demonstrates how to carry out this process correctly:

Dobermans’ ears and tails have long been cropped, but there is a growing movement against this practice, so it’s important to know why. Many experts contend that there are no actual benefits for the dog from it, despite some people believing it improves the breed’s appearance or health.

Since these procedures are deemed unnecessary and harmful, more and more nations, along with veterinarians, are discouraging or outright prohibiting them. With their original ears and tail, Dobermans can live just as happily and retain their distinct personalities.

It’s crucial to consider the long-term effects, potential risks, and ethical issues if you’re thinking about undergoing these procedures. The welfare of your dog should always come first.

Video on the topic

Setting the Doberman"s ears

Cropping the Doberman"s ears

Cropping the Doberman"s ears Operation

Doberman ears: where they were cropped, how they were set #dobermans