I will be getting my first boxer in the next couple of mounths and I am really excited about it. I think that boxers look the best with there ears cropped but only if they turn out right. What are the chances that the ears would not stand up right or be deformed in some kind of way? Some boxers that I have seen look great and others there ears have not even stood up at all what would cause that?
Ear Crop Question?
- Thread starter eksbpp
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Dianna
Boxer Booster
Ear cropping is really "out". In fact, in Europe, Canada, etc. you cannot show a boxer if the ears are cropped.
Fell the fur on the ears, it's like silk. Our first boxer, years ago, had cropped ears and he was always getting ear infections and having problems as the ears stand straight up and are exposed at all times. Having natural ears stops almost all of these problems, plus it's much more humane.
Just my thoughts.
Fell the fur on the ears, it's like silk. Our first boxer, years ago, had cropped ears and he was always getting ear infections and having problems as the ears stand straight up and are exposed at all times. Having natural ears stops almost all of these problems, plus it's much more humane.
Just my thoughts.
The most common reason for ears not standing, is not taping properly or for long enough. It is also possible that the ears weren't cropped properly. Taping the ears is a lot of work. You need to re-tape the ears a least once a week if not more often. It can take up to a year for the ears to stand properly. Sometimes no matter what you do, the ears won't stand properly. Cropped ears that don't stand look pretty awful. :(
Personally, I like the look of cropped ears. I had Markus cropped. I taped for a year and one ear did not stand up properly. He could hold it up, if he wanted to. I stopped taping around about a year. He looked like a back alley brawler.
His ear did eventually stand up around about 3-4 years of age and it never flopped again. If you look in my gallery you will see that in the early pictures he has a floppy ears and in the later ones he doesn't. I didn't tape Moto's ears. They still look very nice.
Personally, I like the look of cropped ears. I had Markus cropped. I taped for a year and one ear did not stand up properly. He could hold it up, if he wanted to. I stopped taping around about a year. He looked like a back alley brawler.
His ear did eventually stand up around about 3-4 years of age and it never flopped again. If you look in my gallery you will see that in the early pictures he has a floppy ears and in the later ones he doesn't. I didn't tape Moto's ears. They still look very nice. 
Whether or not the ears will stand is down to a mix of factors. Amongst them is getting a good vet who knows what he's doing (i.e. is experienced - ask some breeders for recommendations). Then you should get decent advice that gives you the best chance of success. Other factors are the ear type of the puppy (some have soft cartillage that doesn't lend itself well to crops, others have stiffer ear cartillage that is relatively easy to get to stand), the type/length of crop you get, and the amount of time/dedication you're prepared to put into making them stand. On the last point - bear in mind that it can take months of taping, even up to a year in some cases.
Bearing in mind that your "window" of opportunity for having ears cropped is only until the pup is 12 weeks of age, if you really want to do it, it would be wise to find a good vet who can/will do it well before getting the puppy.
Not exactly true. In many parts of Europe, cropping surgery is illegal - you just can't do it, and in the UK (where cropping was made illegal well over 100 years ago) you cannot show any cropped animal. But in most other European countries, you can still show a cropped dog if its home country still allows cropping (and, obviously, there is no problem with cropped dogs at shows in those countries that haven't banned the procedure). The same applies to tail docking, btw
Irrespective, you are quite correct in saying that ear cropping is a rapidly diminishing practice worldwide as more and more countries ban the practice (and even in those where it isn't yet banned).
Bearing in mind that your "window" of opportunity for having ears cropped is only until the pup is 12 weeks of age, if you really want to do it, it would be wise to find a good vet who can/will do it well before getting the puppy.
Not exactly true. In many parts of Europe, cropping surgery is illegal - you just can't do it, and in the UK (where cropping was made illegal well over 100 years ago) you cannot show any cropped animal. But in most other European countries, you can still show a cropped dog if its home country still allows cropping (and, obviously, there is no problem with cropped dogs at shows in those countries that haven't banned the procedure). The same applies to tail docking, btw
Irrespective, you are quite correct in saying that ear cropping is a rapidly diminishing practice worldwide as more and more countries ban the practice (and even in those where it isn't yet banned).
suzyqdogsmom
Completely Boxer Crazy
I personally wouldn't crop a dogs ears. It is an unnecessary expense, requires a lot of time to maintain the taping etc. After the pain of the initial surgery, I wouldn't want to subject my dog to the discomfort of the taping procedure, which as stated can be so long (imagine being in a cast or sling or some other inconvenient uncomfortable situation for up to a year). It doesn't serve any particular purpose other than cosmetic. And after all that, it may not turn out completely successful. That is my opinion only, many people think it is worth the time, money and trouble. But their floppy ears look adorable to me, I don't think they take away from the beauty of the breed at all.
boxersrbest
Boxer Booster
In Canada you can show with cropped ears and it is very difficult to achieve your championship if the dog is not cropped.
I would not do it either. And this is coming from a guy who also thought it looked better.
We did crop our first dog, but we knew after looking back that we could not put another dog through the discomfort simply for cosmetic reasons. Even now when I look back at Annie's pictures, I see pain and discomfort. The only other time I saw that look was in the last few days of her life as she again lived in pain from kidney failure.
Now I think a boxer looks better with the ears down as it keeps them looking forever the puppy. Never again.
We did crop our first dog, but we knew after looking back that we could not put another dog through the discomfort simply for cosmetic reasons. Even now when I look back at Annie's pictures, I see pain and discomfort. The only other time I saw that look was in the last few days of her life as she again lived in pain from kidney failure.
Now I think a boxer looks better with the ears down as it keeps them looking forever the puppy. Never again.
kayboxer
Boxer Insane
We had our second boxer done, but our first we did not. My husband liked the look of the crop. Honestly, ours did not have that much discomfort. I'm not going to say it is absolutely pain free, but he showed no signs of being in pain and went right back to playing when he got home. It is all a matter of personal choice. One person may think it is cruel, but another may say docking a tail is cruel. You have to make that decision if you want to go the extra mile with all the taping, etc. I had to drive an hour to the vet that did our cropping twice a week for retaping for several weeks, because I was too afraid I'd screw it up. You have to be willing to work at it if you want it to look right, but they may never stand straight no matter what you do. Good luck on your decision.
nerosmyhero
Boxer Pal
My Nero is cropped and we really like the look, however nobody has really mentioned the amount of aftercare that is required once the surgery is complete. First the ears are glued to a styrofoam cup and covered with a bandage (usually a modified gym sock). The sock has to be removed and changed 4 times a day which is almost impossible to do with only one person. Every time the sock is removed, the scabs are ripped off the ears which is very important as the scabs will cause the the edge of the ear to pucker and look crooked. After the ears come loose from the cup, that's when the posting starts which still has to be cleaned 4 times a day until the cut part heals completely. It is very important that proper posting be maintained otherwise the ears won't stand up and the whole ordeal would be for nothing. How difficult that is depends on the length of the ear crop, the thickness of the actual ear and how well your pup will tolerate having posts taped inside his ears. My Nero got used to it pretty fast but I have known dogs that were trying to get them off all day and therefore required constant supervision. It's not something I would consider if you are out of the house for a lot of the day because you won't be able to do the initial cleanings or be able to replace the posts if they come out. If you leave them out for any period of time, it will definately take longer to get them to stand up. If you decide that you want to crop and the pup you are getting is only a pet as opposed to a show dog, I would recommend that you crop the ears a little shorter as they will stand up easier (a show crop usually leaves a very long ear). Cropping is a big committment and success usually depends on how much effort you are willing to put in to it.
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