Cropping??to do or not to do

[PawPrintBoxers]

Originally posted by DianeD
I would think that a dog would have to be virtually "flawless" in all other aspects for a judge to consider the uncropped boxer. (I'm talking about a judge that would not normally consider an uncropped boxer).

This is pretty much the same for showing a plainly marked Boxer. Though you will find many more judging willing to put up a "classic" than you will an uncropped Boxer. I have a classic Champion and remember all too well the uphill battle he faced.

__________________
Christina Ghimenti
PawPrint Boxers

Sunny Northern California
Boxer Champions and Loving Pets

 

[JulieM]

I know it depends on the judge but I'm wondering how a judge can award a dog with uncropped ears if the fault is so obvious. Would it be in the same class as being cow hocked, another sometimes obvious fault? Just curious!

Technically uncropped ears are a deviation, not a fault. What that means is that nowhere in the standard are uncropped ears mentioned specifically - they are covered by the statement, "The foregoing description is that of the ideal Boxer. Any deviations from the above described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation." Whereas for hindquartes (f.ex.) the standard specifically states, "Faults--Steep or over-angulated hindquarters. Light thighs or overdeveloped hams. Over-angulated (sickle) hocks. Hindquarters too far under or too far behind." (So actually cow hocks will also be considered a deviation since they are not a specifically mentioned fault.)

The "extent of the deviation" depends entirely upon the judge. To some judges uncropped ears are anathaema - they will refuse to judge an uncropped dog and will excuse it from the ring for "lack of merit." I think there have only been 3 of those judges. Some judges seems to try to make a political statement and will put up an uncropped dog even if it is not as good quality as the cropped dogs. There have been a handful of those that I've seen personally. (To be fair, some of they may have made the same decsion even if all the exhibits had been cropped!) And then some judges - and I would hope the majority of them - will consider how the deviations affect the function of the breed, and penalize accordingly. While uncropped ears do pose a liability for a bull and bear baiting dog, cowhocks represent a structural unsoundness that will affect the dog's ability to perform. (Though that may not be the best example - in some breeds like Border Collies they feel cowhocks actually help the dog to "cut" and "turn on a dime.")

 

[LAYLAMOMMY24]

I just came across two really good articles describing the difference in cartiledge and wether it will stand or if it should be better off left natural and the other is Actually showing what they do when they crop ears. It may be a littler disturbing, but s simply for educational purposes not to influence anyone in anyway shape or form. Also one with tails.
http://www.euro-boxer.com/pages/profiles/boxer_ears_tails/boxer_ear_cropping_dilemma.html
http://www.euro-boxer.com/pages/profiles/boxer_ears_tails/ear_cropping_photoreport.html
http://www.euro-boxer.com/pages/profiles/boxer_ears_tails/cut_them_off.html

I found them all very interesting especially the one with the tails..

 

[Caesar22]

The thing that I find crazy is this. I have 2 little boys and I have had 2 little boxer boys. Both of my Boxer boys were absolutely fine and pain free after they were cropped. But my 2 boys were not liking their circumsition that well at all. Now what I want to know is this. How many people out there who are against cropping, have had their children circumsized? That is what always comes to my mind when this subject comes up.

 

[KazzMan]

Cropping was never even considered as an option for our baby. Not that I am against it, I just could not go through the long process of taping, etc. I enjoy both looks, but I don't think you should crop unless you are going to show the dog. However, I would like to to see the ABC change their show standards for Boxers to allow both cropped and uncropped. This has been an ongoing debate in our boxer club. I don't know if many are aware, but cropping is illegal in Europe. Comparing cropping to circumcision might be a bit of a stretch. I would compare a cicumcision to a tail docking since it is done at a few days old in each. I would be more willing to dock a puppy's tail, circumcise a baby, than I would crop a dog's ears.

We chose not to crop our puppy's ears and he has beautiful floppy ears. We never had to tape his ears. Someone in our boxer club that has shown and cropped her boxers for years commented on how beautiful our dog's ears were, and she asked if we had to tape them, which we didn't have to. I have seen more bad crops then I have bad floppy ears.

 

[jnlflip]

This has been some interesting reading. I like the uncropped ears, maybe because I grew up with floppy-earred beagles.

If you look at the one picture in my gallery you'll see another reason I didn't crop my baby's ears. She has a white spot on the tip of one of her ears, and if you'd crop it you would lose her little spot. She's so cute.

Jnlflip & Roxie (& Bopper the Beagle)

 

[lmyhand]

No cropping! That's what we think anyway! They are so cute with their natural ears and it's an unnecessary surgery for the babies. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

At first we weren't planning on cropping either. But it wasn't as "bad" as I feared. It IS a lot of work, to make sure that you tape the ears properly, but I was very fortunate that our breeder was extremely helpful in showing me how to do the taping. And we love those ears now, they are silky and soft and regal and expressive as anything. I think if you have a pet and don't plan to show, don't crop; it's not necessary. If you have a personal view against it, then don't crop. But if you like the cropped look for your pet or plan to show, it isn't inhumane, IMO. But you need to commit to being diligent and careful about the after-care for many months.

 

[dughrt]

Just read threw all the posts and alot of good points were made. All done nice and friendly like also. I didnt see the reason I didnt crop my boys ears on there so I though I would add it. I left my boxers ears down becouse I am cheep. I could not see spending the money on a cosmetic procedure for a dog. I already have enough stuff to spend my money on and this just didnt make the list. Dont get me wrong my dogs get all the care they need and if they got sick the credit cards would come out but ear cropping didnt seem cost affective to me. good luck on your choice.

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Originally posted by dughrt
I left my boxers ears down becouse I am cheep.

I like an honest person!

Depending on the vet and the area, cropping can be quite expensive...:eek: