Cropped/Docked or Natural?
- Thread starter sillysally
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I would disagree. I think your dogs would be prettier with natural ears... they don't have them, I can't change that so for what they are they are pretty.
It doesn't mean I agree with cropping, it doesn't mean I don't think cropping is vanity run amok. It doesn't mean I don't cringe when I hear someone say they intend to have their dog cropped. I've assisted on crops. They're ugly, the process is ugly, the aftercare is ugly and barbaric. I'll never look at a cropped ear and ever think it improves the look of a dog from what nature gave the dog from the beginning.
It doesn't mean I think the entire dog is ugly because of one piece... anymore than I think altering one piece would make them prettier, tougher, or anything but mutilated.
It doesn't mean I agree with cropping, it doesn't mean I don't think cropping is vanity run amok. It doesn't mean I don't cringe when I hear someone say they intend to have their dog cropped. I've assisted on crops. They're ugly, the process is ugly, the aftercare is ugly and barbaric. I'll never look at a cropped ear and ever think it improves the look of a dog from what nature gave the dog from the beginning.
It doesn't mean I think the entire dog is ugly because of one piece... anymore than I think altering one piece would make them prettier, tougher, or anything but mutilated.
That's quite a sad outlook! I hope you wouldn't run the other way if I ever ran into you with Sako just for the fact that his ears are cropped. And if what SizzleDog said is correct about you calling her dogs gorgeous, then saying that dogs with cropped ears are ugly, it sounds like you're a bit confused 
I can safely say that Sako's aftercare was not "ugly & barbaric" at all. He was bouncing around playing with his sister the next day like nothing happened, and all I had to do was apply some ointment to his ears for 10 days and take his stitches out after a week. I didn't even have to tape them. I'm not saying there is no pain involved, but I was pleasantly surprised with how he did with the surgery. Nothing barbaric about it at all.
I can safely say that Sako's aftercare was not "ugly & barbaric" at all. He was bouncing around playing with his sister the next day like nothing happened, and all I had to do was apply some ointment to his ears for 10 days and take his stitches out after a week. I didn't even have to tape them. I'm not saying there is no pain involved, but I was pleasantly surprised with how he did with the surgery. Nothing barbaric about it at all.
You know, I completely disagree with Sarah on her take of cropped/docked dogs BUT I can understand what she's saying and don't think she's being hypocritical in what she's saying. I find the look of most altered dogs pretty grotesque and can't help but think how much better they would look intact.
BUT I still can look at altered dog and find them cute, attractive, good looking and appreciate them for what they are.
BUT I still can look at altered dog and find them cute, attractive, good looking and appreciate them for what they are.
I have had the same experience - and I've been around tons of freshly cropped puppies. TONS. Perhaps my breeder's dogs are tough as nails though...
yeah, us and our toughies. Sako was my first experience with a freshly cropped dog and I was worried he'd be a mess.. but no.. my breeder sent me a video the morning after the crop (I picked him up 5 or 6 days after he got done) and he was a wild man!
When I first became interested in Pyrsheps, I absolutely didn't want a docked dog. But in the end, the docked dogs didn't bother me as much and I kind of liked the natural bobtails. I do like the cropped look on a rough-faced but cropped ears on smooth-faces takes a bit of getting used to. They are still done with a historically correct crop, which is a bit odd looking when the hair isn't covering it. I wouldn't choose to have one cropped though. I ende dup deciding to be open to taking a docked/cropped puppy if the temperament was what I was looking for. I tend to prefer natural but it seemed a bit short sighted to potentially rule out the perfect puppy for me because of cosmetic reasons. In the end, the right puppy for me ended up having a natural tail and ears anyway
I got the impression that it's a bit easier to find all natural pyr sheps as opposed to other cropped/docked breeds that have been in the AKC longer.
Yay off topic.
I love and prefer dobes cropped/docked. IF it's done properly. If not, I think that the mess of whats left is ugly. There are several that come to work on occasion who's ears just lay on their head.
I'm not a fan of crops on Danes. I love their ears, and I think such a giant dog looks even sillier with huuuge ears sticking straight up.
Boxers, I like docked, but do NOT like the cropped look. At ALL.
I LOVE the "working/battle" crop on AmStaffs. It's gorgeous, and yes, it does make the dog more intimidating. Not the little nubbins of ears, but like Sako's, or Grant's ears.
I do like the flying nun ears though, lol, but I prefer the cropped look. I'm not sure if I'd personally have it done or not on that type of ear. Depends on if I bought the dog to show or not though.
Cane Corsos I prefer cropped and docked.
And I love the ovchartka's crop and dock look. They look like Pyranese to me otherwise.
I would love for Enzo to have had her tail docked though. Would have saved me QUITE a few bruises and broken glasses and cups.
I'm not a fan of crops on Danes. I love their ears, and I think such a giant dog looks even sillier with huuuge ears sticking straight up.
Boxers, I like docked, but do NOT like the cropped look. At ALL.
I LOVE the "working/battle" crop on AmStaffs. It's gorgeous, and yes, it does make the dog more intimidating. Not the little nubbins of ears, but like Sako's, or Grant's ears.
I do like the flying nun ears though, lol, but I prefer the cropped look. I'm not sure if I'd personally have it done or not on that type of ear. Depends on if I bought the dog to show or not though.
Cane Corsos I prefer cropped and docked.
And I love the ovchartka's crop and dock look. They look like Pyranese to me otherwise.
I would love for Enzo to have had her tail docked though.
Would have saved me QUITE a few bruises and broken glasses and cups.
No it wasn't hard at all. Really he was one of the first ones I considered when I started seriously looking. It doesn't seem uncommon for some puppies in a litter to be left natural and some to be docked/cropped. I don't think PyrShep are cropped prior to sale, unless you get an older pup or request the breeder have it done. I could be wrong about that though. Savvy's brother is a docked and cropped RF. His parents are both cropped/docked but his mother's littermates are all natural. The PyrShep standard says natural vs. cropped/docked are equally acceptable. I see them all different ways at the shows here. Today an all natural RF was BOB over a decent entry at a local show.
On pitties: Completely natural! I think they look ridiculous cropped!
Dobes: I actually prefer the look of cropped/docked. (Of course would never actually have that done if I had one).
Rotties: I prefer the look of the docked tail
Aussies: I actually LOVE aussies with natural tails! They have such beautiful tails! I had the pleasure of seeing a blue merle aussie that had his tail, and it was gorgeous!
I have one dog with a docked tail, and I have no idea whether he was born like that or if someone chopped his tail off (Hes a mutt)
Dobes: I actually prefer the look of cropped/docked. (Of course would never actually have that done if I had one).
Rotties: I prefer the look of the docked tail
Aussies: I actually LOVE aussies with natural tails! They have such beautiful tails! I had the pleasure of seeing a blue merle aussie that had his tail, and it was gorgeous!
I have one dog with a docked tail, and I have no idea whether he was born like that or if someone chopped his tail off (Hes a mutt)
This has actually been heavy on my mind lately. I like the look of dogs with cropped ears, Danes, Dobes, pits, AmStaffs, Boxers, I love the look. But would I put my own dog through that painful, traumatic experience (not to mention PAY big money for it) as a young puppy just for my selfish preferences...no. I would personally feel guilty.
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I think it's all just a fashion and am against it.
Sad to think you have to cut dogs ears, and take their tails off as a standard for breeds. More the reason to hate what conformation has done to the dog world. At least in some parts of the world, docking / cropping is banned! Those are good places!
Sad to think you have to cut dogs ears, and take their tails off as a standard for breeds. More the reason to hate what conformation has done to the dog world. At least in some parts of the world, docking / cropping is banned! Those are good places!
