To crop or not to crop?

[PinkSunshine]

I like the look of cropped and docked dogs.

We owned an APBT that had his ears cropped. My fiance had it done when he was a puppy because he liked the look.

I own 2 yorkies who both have docked tails. It's breed standard. And I bought them with intentions on showing, so in order to win, they have to fit the standard.

[Suki Wingy]

and that is just why we still crop here in America! To keep the breed as it was, or better them for their jobs

[cloverfdx]

But how many dogs are atully still doing what they were bred to do? not that many. Croping serves no purpose in the show ring.

[Kenley's Cat Lady]

I am totally against cropping or docking, I had dobies years ago and I loved thier ears so soft and velvety, unfortunatley tails were docked before I got them, but those ears! This picture is over 20 years old. (My son would kill me if he knew I was posting it!)

[.sarah]

and that is just why we still crop here in America! To keep the breed as it was, or better them for their jobs

Not meaning to start a riot, but this is a very stupid reason. Great Danes were bred to hunt wild boar - don't see any Danes doing that these days.

Cropping is unneccessary, whether for show or not. If your dog is doing a job and can be injured, then I'm all for it. But in most cases it is done for looks, which is just selfish. Your dog did not ask to go through pain so he could "look good" so why subject him to that? If you are showing your dog you do not need to crop the ears in order to win (maybe there is a breed that still requires this but I am not sure), so why do it?

Hunting breeds like Vizslas, GSPs, etc. that have docked tails are some of the few I agree with. Their tails are often injured doing their job.

[cloverfdx]

I agree 100% Sarah. Thats what i was trying to "say" but you worded it alot better than me .

[dab_20]

I like natural much better... any breed I think looks better with natural ears. In my opinion it's kind of cruel.

[shihtzulover850]

Don't get me wrong danes are smart intelligent beautiful dogs but I still think they look dumb with there ears cropped. They look sooooooooo much better with them natural. The same for boxers. I don't like it when they cut off their tails either. My cousin has a great dane and he said he would not crop her ears. I did research on the internet and found a picture of a dane in a dog show without its ears cropped and I must say it looked so much better.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I have a natural eared Great Dane and I am very happy we didnt get his ears cropped. I really don't see the point of putting a dog through pain because you like the look of it. Great Danes can be shown with natural ears, why get them sliced off? Bailey has the cutest ears, he wouldn't be the same without them. People can approach Bailey because he doesn't look intimidating. If his ears were cropped, alot of people would be afraid of him.

While it may be personal choice, what would your puppy say if you asked him/her if they wanted their ears "modified"? Dogs can't speak for themselves and I think that's why people take advantage of "canine plastic surgery".

[critter crazy]

I like the look of both, But i would never crop a dog.

[GiantSchnauzer]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority here. I like both but prefer cropped. I'm a big fan of the "old school" style German Giant Schnauzer cropped, docked, hard coat, very capable of working.

[tortuga55]

My aunt got her dogs ears croped. He hated it. They had a tone of trouble putin on cream and all that. I dont think its worth the money, but thats just me.

[gkristian]

natural

[Pit Chick]

I like the look of cropped and docked, but that's only because I'm used to seeing it on certain breeds. Just for looks is a poor excuse to mutalate a dogs ears and tail though. They once served a purpose, but just being a pet or show dog is not a good enough reason IMO. I wish they would outlaw both procedures here, but on the flip side people who already do it themselves will only continue and people who can't have it done by a vet will turn to doing it themselves.

[Bigyummydog]

why, oh why? would you chop off soft floppy ears? they are just way too yummy!!