It's My Puppy and I'll Crop If I Want To

So, I am at a friend’s home for dinner and another guest at the party basically got her panties in a bunch when she heard that my puppy, who is coming home next week and is just so friggin’ delicious, is getting her ears cropped at the end of this week.   

Our host introduced us, explained that I am getting a puppy and that the other guest is a holistic vet. The conversation went something like this: 

Her: Oh, a rescue?
Me: No, I am getting a Doberman from a breeder.
Her: (Scowl) I see…
Me: Yes, I am very excited about getting her next week after she has her ears done.
Her: (Scowl) Oh, you are doing her ears. (Scowl, scorn, judgment) 

From there she basically told me what a terrible thing I was doing and what a terrible person I am.  

Now, anyone who knows me knows two things about me when in comes to (1) me and my dogs and (2) me and someone getting in my face. 

(1)  I am a great dog owner. I know this. My dogs know this. Other dogs know this. I have a friend who said that in her next life she wants to come back as one of my dogs.   

And 

(2)  If you get in my face about something, chances are that I will NOT BACK DOWN.  That fight or flight instinct. I am so on the fight end of that spectrum in an instant. 

What I wanted to say to her was take your righteous, judgmental opinion and shove it. But I was very calm and very not up into her face in return because, unlike her, I am polite and act appropriately as a guest in someone else’s home.  Though I did ask her a few times if she really wanted get in an argument with me… 

The conversation continued with her telling me that docking and cropping are an unnecessary surgery and with me explaining that I understand that she may feel this way but that it was very important for me to purchase my puppy from this particular breeder.   

You see, Doberman’s have a heart condition that is extremely prevalent in the breed because of many irresponsible breeding practices.  We lost our Doberman, Mac, when he was young because of heart failure. Finding a breeder who was so committed to healthy dogs that could share a long life with me is a wonderful thing. 

I attempted to explain the fact that the lineage and health records of my puppy’s parents and grandparents are so good and that this is the number one factor in my picking this particular breeder, who dock and crop their litter.   

Further, I have researched this extensively. And I tried to share the history of the breed and the reason for the docking and cropping. She would not listen. She rolled her eyes, her scowl now a permanent expression on her face and discounted everything I said.  Docking and cropping were purely aesthetic, she stated. I was cruel and she was right and there was no discussion to be had.   

The conversation ended when she walked away.  

Now, before you solidify your own thoughts on this touchy subject, here are some really important facts:

 The Doberman’s docked tail and the cropped ears are historically VERY FUNCTIONAL in origin and serve important purposes as an elite protective breed. (History of the Doberman) 

1.     A docked tail was an important characteristic of the Doberman because the tail represents a "body part" that can be easily and readily injured. The tail serves as a handle that an attacker could grab and injure which could cause the dog to experience pain and trauma and cause him to abandon his job of protecting his owner. So docking is a functional part of the Dobermans effectiveness as a family protector. 

2.     There are two primary reasons Doberman ears are cropped, and both have to do with FUNCTION. The first is that a neatly cropped ear is less of a "handle" for an attacker to hang on to. Since the Doberman has been bred to be a personal protector, a cropped ear gives the dog a decided advantage in a confrontation with a perpetrator. The second has to do with sound "localization". An erect earred dog can localize the source of a sound to within a 5 degree cone, whereas a drop earred dog can only localize a sound source to within a 20 degree cone. Since Dobermans do SEARCH AND DETECTION as well as SEARCH AND RESCUE, cropped ears are a decided advantage. 

Further, docking and cropping are less invasive and painful a procedure than spaying or neutering. Most reputable Doberman Breeders will suggest that not neutering your dog is the best thing for them if you are able to ensure that the dog will not roam and become a parent unless you specifically want grandpups. Spaying is major surgery, changes the growth of the dog and may likely change their behavior as well. If you have spayed or neutered your dog, don’t talk to me about my cropping and docking mine.

Trust me, as I said above, I have given this an incredible amount of thought and have done a lot of research and spoke to a lot of people, including veterinarians, breeders, Doberman owners and other dog owners.  And I considered what I believe is right for my dog. My Dog. 

And I took into consideration that I am getting her because she is a protective breed.  Because when I go hiking or I am alone I have a dog that will look out for me.  And I took into consideration that I love the look of the breed. Doberman’s are beautiful. I love the look of their strong ears and focused presence. And I want others to respect my dog for the protective, instinctive, focused breed that she is.  

I want her to look like a Doberman, because that is what she is.

Ok, so you heard my story, you read the facts, you know my feelings. But just in case you are not 100% sure where I stand, I’ve written a little ditty on the subject.  Feel free to sing along.   

(Sung to the tune of “It’s My Party”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsYJyVEUaC4 )

It's my puppy, and I'll crop if I want to
Crop if I want to, crop if I want to
You may crop, too, many dog owners do. 

I’m buying my dog from a breeder I trust
I looked for her far and wide
A breeder where health was the plan
My dog will have years by my side. 

It's my puppy, and I'll crop if I want to
Crop if I want to, crop if I want to
You may crop, too, many dog owners do. 

I thought long and hard and considered the facts
I know the decision I make
Your judgment of what I do
I do not ap-pre-ci-ate. 

It's my puppy, and I'll crop if I want to
Crop if I want to, crop if I want to
You may crop, too, many dog owners do. 

So if you feel you have something to say
You’d best keep in inside
My choice is right for my dog
And I’ll walk her with pride. 

It's my puppy, and I'll crop if I want to
Crop if I want to, crop if I want to
You may crop, too, many dog owners do.