It is important that you clarify with your vet what style of ear cropping they will give your Doberman. You want to make sure that the two of you are on the same page. There are three basic types of ear crops for Doberman Pinschers.
- Show Crop: This is the longest crop and your Doberman will have very high ears as seen at dog shows. If you’re going to show your dog one day, obviously this is what you’ll want to get. This is also the most difficult type of crop to lift and usually requires the dog’s ears to be «pinned» for a longer period of time after surgery (held upright by a post and bandages).
- Mid Crop: This results in a shorter ear than the show crop and is a good mid-range choice. The sweeping curve of the show crop is still present, although the ear is not quite as high. This is what my dog has, and it looks great on him!
- Working Harvest: This is the shortest of all ear harvests. A vet might recommend this if he isn’t sure he can lift his ears (if the clipping was done at an older age, for example). These ears are very short but are raised quickly and safely after surgery. Very little post-surgery time is required.
Why do Dobermans have cropped ears?
As a general practice around the world, ear cropping is not new. In fact, it is quite an old procedure that has its roots in agricultural practices. That is, where the dogs served as hunting companions, shepherds and even as guard dogs.
In the past, almost all breeds of dogs (including Doberman Pinschers) played a role in society. And when dogs were used as helpers and not just pets, ear cropping was common because it supposedly kept dogs «safe» in the work environment.
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- Why crop the ears of the Doberman? Doberman Ear Cropping Surgery and Styles
In some breeds such as Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, puppy ear cropping was considered an important attribute for a protection dog in the belief that cropped ears improve the dog’s hearing and make it more difficult for an offender to grab the dog. In smaller breeds like the Brussels Griffon, the ears were cropped to make it harder for a cornered rat to bite into them.
History of Doberman Ear Cropping
Generally, the practice of cropping the ears of a Doberman, as well as other breeds, dates back to the Romans. They did this to prevent dogs from being easily injured during hunting, warfare, or battle.
Dobermans’ natural floppy ears could be a hazard, especially if they serve as hunting dogs or security dogs.