To crop or not to crop?

[ZOE*BOXER]

We have both. Zoe is a rescue that came with cropped ears. Flash is a rescue with floppy ears. I love them both, however I love Flash's soft ears. Also, Zoe's ears get a lot dirtier than Flash's. Everybody thinks Zoe is mean or a Pitt Bull, I assume it is due to her ears. If I had a choice on either one, I would definitely keep them floppy.

 

[GoCougs]

One final thought...since a Showtime Mentor weighed in, if this dog is for show, it is mandatory in the US, but anyone I talked with said not to do so unless I wanted to show her.

That's not correct. Traditionally the ears were cropped, and many judges still consider uncropped a reason to discount the specimen. However, the current breed standard allows for uncropped ears:

"Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull, the ears are customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering, and raised when alert. If uncropped, the ears should be of moderate size, thin, lying flat and close to the cheeks in repose, but falling forward with a definite crease when alert."


The previous breed standard indicate that the ears "are cropped", in no uncertain terms, however uncropped ears weren't listed as a fault, disqualifying or otherwise.

The vet I used was the one in SW Michigan well-known for doing show boxers' ears. It is not that he did not do a good job...in fact, I went back for tapings from him for many weeks....it is that I saw the pain and discomfort after the fact.

Well-known or not, it doesn't seem he is particularly good. LOL I use two different vets in my area, one well regarded and the other is good in his own right. Never have any of my dogs show pain post surgery. As has been stated previously in this thread, they are usually up and playing normally within hours of surgery. The amount of pain, in my opinion, is an indication of the skill of the vet doing to work.

 

[entelekia]

In my opinion, there is also the fact that some boxers' ears are more suitable for cropping than others. In those who are suitable for cropping, if left uncropped they will not lay properly and get the "fly-away" look that many people don't care for. This is because these pups will have a pretty erect base of the ear, and the flap will just go all over the place. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying *I* don't like it, but I know folks who don't).

Just as you have boxers whose cropped ears never stand properly, in spite of diligent taping, you also have boxers whose natural ears will never lay properly, in spite of tapings.

What I did was have my dog looked at by a boxer breeder and a vet experienced in boxer crops and they both said right away that her ears were very suitable for cropping. I could tell you, as young as 10 weeks or so, her ears were going all over the place (they were on the thin side). So when I went ahead and did the crop, they stood very quickly... I only had to tape for a couple of months before they were standing perfectly, even with the long show crop. (You can check out her ears in my gallery). Because hers stood so easy, the discomfort was very minimal.

All that being said, I don't know whether or not I would get my next boxer's ears cropped or not. I would ask for advice from the breeder I get the pup from, and ask an experienced vet whether they think the ears will either lay nice or stand nice and go from there.

 

[Diesel Lover]

I have 2 floppy ears, well, 4 actually . I can't imagine not having those soft, silky ears in my hands all the time. Floppy ears are definately my favorite Boxer parts!!

 

[RonaldMM]

My Drake is cropped. My son had it done when he had Drake. If I ever have another Boxer he will be natural!

 

[Ranvan]

Okay, I was wrong on the standard, but truthfully, I have never seen a natural eared boxer shown...not that I have been to every show, but those that I have. And in the boxer mags..only once did I read of a natural eared female becoming champion. Personally, I am glad it is moving that direction.

Obviously, I won't name the vet, but I was told by the show breeders that this one was the one that did the best job. Many travelled for hours to see him. I was told that only one other one in Michigan did as well.

As for my dog and pain, yes, I am "interpreting" her expression, so I cannot say. I don't remember how long she was in pain or discomfort. The taping was for a few months...I do not know what was normal. And Annie's ears...whether they were prime for being upright, again, I don't know. Her ears did end up staying up very well. She looked good.

But as I look now at pictures of boxers that are natural and cropped, I can see that it is a personal preference. Knowing that I cannot morally put an animal through such a surgery. If there was a reason that was good for the animal, then there is a possible arguement for cropping.

 

[Sas'parilla]

:(

Speaking of thinking the boxer is another breed, I was walking Sassy the other day and a little old lady came up to me and asked if Sassy was a rottweiller and if she was mean??? Of course, I said no and told her she was a boxer and a puppy at that. (going on 6 months) But I have to say I was completely aghast that someone..anyone would think she was mean. :(

 

[rrrmarie]

Just as you have boxers whose cropped ears never stand properly, in spite of diligent taping, you also have boxers whose natural ears will never lay properly, in spite of tapings.

That's us. His ears never stood properly. We taped his ears till he was about 14 months old.

 

[wmljohn]

Okay, I was wrong on the standard, but truthfully, I have never seen a natural eared boxer shown...not that I have been to every show, but those that I have. And in the boxer mags..only once did I read of a natural eared female becoming champion. Personally, I am glad it is moving that direction.

One beautiful Natural Ear Boxer!


Minstrels' Devil May Care

"May"

Shandown Chances Are
Faerdorn Dust Devil
at 7 months July, 2006


Ohio Boxer Club

June 23rd and 25th 2006

Taking her first steps in the show ring at six months of age,
Bicker took Ohio Boxer Club's two-show weekend by storm.
Winning Best Puppy in Sweeps both days,
and 1st in both regular classes
(with her litter sister, Minstrel's Half O' Chance -- "Demi" --
finishing 2nd to her in three of their four ring appearances! ,
Bicker has done something we've dreamed about for a long time:


She took these honors as the only natural-eared entry in the 5 point major competition!

Huge and astonished thanks go not only to the judges who saw through her "natural" handicap, but especially to Genine DeMaso, who agreed to handle the puppy sight-unseen,
and made Bicker's debut as delightful an experience as I've ever had at a dog show.

Mod Note: very pretty boxer - but links to breeder sites aren't allowed.

 

[JulieM]

Okay, I was wrong on the standard, but truthfully, I have never seen a natural eared boxer shown...not that I have been to every show, but those that I have.

You need to get to some more shows. I have friends in Michigan, and at the recent Specialty there were five uncropped Boxers shown. Recently at another show in Michigan two uncropped Boxers went Winners Dog and Winners Bitch, and the dog went on to Best of Breed.

And in the boxer mags..only once did I read of a natural eared female becoming champion. Personally, I am glad it is moving that direction.

There are currently five uncropped Boxer champions, and several others pointed.

Obviously, I won't name the vet, but I was told by the show breeders that this one was the one that did the best job. Many travelled for hours to see him. I was told that only one other one in Michigan did as well.

The other one seems to have a better track record as far as pain goes; he doesn't use e-collars and most dogs have no need for them, or for pain meds which I gather are standard for the vet you used.

One beautiful Natural Ear Boxer!

Those are actually two different Boxers, but they are beautiful. The second one recently kicked some major butt in Canada, and did well at the ABC Regional taking Reserve one day from the 6-9 puppy class.

(The links may well need to be removed; I know that the breeder does the recommended health testing, and she was on the breeder listing we used to have here, so I'll leave it for now until I get clarification or another mod comes along and removes them.)