What is the best place to get my dobermans ears cropped in OC, CA?

Question

i just got my doberman pup and i want to go and get his ear cropped before he gets too old. i dont need people saying it is unethical, i just love the way a full grown doberman pinscher looks with cropped ears. anyways where do you guys recomend. i want a place who will do a good job on the cropping and the tapping as well. i also dont want it running more than 300 dollars for the whole process. if you guys could help it will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Talk to the breeder where you bought your Doberman.  Even though a lot of vets will crop ears - they don't all know what they are doing.  Or, they have certain breeds they have not done before.  If the ears are not cropped correctly there is nothing you can do.  It is definitely an investment, but if you want it to look right, you need to spend the money.  After they are cropped, make sure you follow the taping procedures to ensure the ears stand properly.

Answer 2

The vet.  They do it good.  I don't think its wrong to crop and dock ears and tails.

Answer 3

If you had gotten your dog responsibly from a good, knowledgeable breeder, the ears would have been already cropped, healed and you would have been taught to or given assistance with propping them.  This is not something that a good breeder leaves up to novices as it isn't some game - it takes knowledge, effort and commitment and most novice owners don't have that.  You didn't even care enough to learn about the breed and find a good breeder.  I am not at all anti-ear cropping -- I am actually oppositional to the animal rightser idiots that ignorantly think it it 'cruel' and are simply using it as another aspect in their long range goal of eliminating all companion animal ownership by playing on the sympathies of other ignorant people who fall for that 'cruel' c**p.  BUT I don't think you should get the dog's ears cropped UNLESS you are willing to take the time to locate a GOOD breeder in your area that can refer you to a GOOD vet cropper that can do a decent job and can mentor you in proper aftercare.  There are a number of Doberman breeders in the LA area -- there is the Aztec Doberman Pinscher Club -- google them and find someone who can help you by directing you to a GOOD cropper as well as help teach you.  Also, be a learner and don't purchase so irresponsibly again.  Either do the above of blow off cropping the dog as it will be one of those crappy looking crops with poor aftercare where they won't stand or won't stand properly and that is much worse than leaving the dog uncropped.  The vet office will NOT do the complete aftercare - the tapping - YOU need to learn to do that and if a vet office says they will, they are likely not a good cropping vet - vets are not taught to crop and aftercare in their training -- it is an art and not something you just allow anyone to do or it will turn out crappy.

add:  Just another reason to realize the dog came from some irresponsible back yard greeder or puppy miller -- no good breeder would have placed a puppy with someone that wasn't stable enough to keep it and would have in their contract that the dog would NOT be given or sold to someone else, that it would be returned to the breeder so it could be properly placed in a screened responsible home.  Either way, this irresponsible breeder continues to be supported in their detrimental behavior instead of being made to be responsible for what they produce.   Check with the local Doberman breed clubs or the DPCA and see about getting a breeder referal to help mentor you better regarding the dog.  It is possible that the dog is too old to be successfully cropped anyway.  And if you can't afford a decent crop, save the 300 for other likely health problems that arise from these sorts of breedings.

Answer 4

No offense, but what is wrong with you getting a Doberman in the first place?   Not to mention your desire to inflict animal cruelty upon it by cutting off part of it's ears.....Why don't you get your own ears cropped at the same time?  

Answer 5

Your breeder really should have cropped before the puppy was placed as it is hard to find a vet that really knows how to crop.  I would recommend contacting some of the show breeders in your area and ask who they use.       Don't try to cut corners on the cost.  It is more improtant to find a vet that really knows how to crop than to bargin shop.   Cropping isn't really taught in vet school and is more an art form than anything else, and few vets really know how to do it properly.   Cropping isn't a one size fits all thing.  A good cropping vet knows the appropriate crop for the breed and shapes the ears to best fit that particular dog.   A bad crop can ruin the apperance of the dog, and and overly long crop based on the ear of the dog can cause it to flop instead of stand properly.     Also keep in mind you may have to drive a couple of hours or more from where you are to find a good cropping vet.     So contact the show breeders in your area and see who the recommend and use them regardless of price or distance, especially if several of them are using the same vet.  If not it is best to leave your dog natural.  No crop is better than a bad crop.