I have a 11 month old white male name Casper with natural ears. I'm going to adopt his brother in feb he was just born. The breeder suggested that i crop his ears because he's a potential stud. and just wanted to know if that would matter at all i do like the cropped ears and the vet that i would use is my breeders vet and she does all the aftercare. just wanted some opinions
to crop or not to crop
- Thread starter jenlew
- Start date
- Status
haleyandmark
Boxer Insane
personally, i like the floppy ears better than cropped ears, especially if the dog isn't ever going to be a show dog or something.
it's not my choice though - i just thought i would add my opinion!
good luck with your decision.
it's not my choice though - i just thought i would add my opinion!
good luck with your decision.
Well, whether his ears are cropped or not will make no difference to his abilities as a stud 
I assume you're going to show him? Just a bit confused by your reference to "adopting" here.
Anyway, the American Boxer Club has recently voted on a standard amendment that includes a description of the natural ear. That - in theory at least - will mean that a dog has an equal chance in the show ring irrespective of whether his ears are cropped or not. In the real world it probably means that, for a while at least, some judges will continue to be prejudiced against natural ears even though it is incorrect to do so.
In short, you don't have to crop to show your dog but if you like the look and are prepared for all the aftercare (taping and so forth) then go ahead.
If you're not going to show, then there's no point in cropping (and taking the risks of surgery) - but then the dog probably shouldn't be used at stud in that case either. Showing is about assessing a dog's fitness (conformationally, and to a lesser extent temperamentally) to be used as breeding stock.
Here's a few threads that might help you make a decision:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62230
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60989
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63948
I assume you're going to show him? Just a bit confused by your reference to "adopting" here.
Anyway, the American Boxer Club has recently voted on a standard amendment that includes a description of the natural ear. That - in theory at least - will mean that a dog has an equal chance in the show ring irrespective of whether his ears are cropped or not. In the real world it probably means that, for a while at least, some judges will continue to be prejudiced against natural ears even though it is incorrect to do so.
In short, you don't have to crop to show your dog but if you like the look and are prepared for all the aftercare (taping and so forth) then go ahead.
If you're not going to show, then there's no point in cropping (and taking the risks of surgery) - but then the dog probably shouldn't be used at stud in that case either. Showing is about assessing a dog's fitness (conformationally, and to a lesser extent temperamentally) to be used as breeding stock.
Here's a few threads that might help you make a decision:
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62230
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60989
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63948
SoleilBxrs
Banned
Congrats on your new addition (when you get him of course ) I would be a wary of a breeder that told me I am getting a show potential pup right after the pups were born. I believe its quite hard to tell from a day-old pup how its going to be in 8wks, let alone 6mos. (plus w/ a male show dog, you must make sure his testicles drop). Anyways, I am assumming that since he is a potential "stud dog" that he is also a "potential Show Dog". I think its fantastic that you are planning to show him, its lots of fun, very addicting!
Natural ears are allowed in the Ring here in the States now.. as for me, I still prefer the cropped look. It is A LOT of work though. Especially if you have never done it, AND you have another dog to deal w/. (It maybe be quite a challenge to keep your white boy off the new one's ears) In any case, do what you prefer, just make sure if you do crop, you are ready to take on all the responsibilities that come with it.. and remember it may take up to a year for the ears to stand depending on the dog's ears and the length of the crop. good luck.
-Kat
) I would be a wary of a breeder that told me I am getting a show potential pup right after the pups were born. I believe its quite hard to tell from a day-old pup how its going to be in 8wks, let alone 6mos. (plus w/ a male show dog, you must make sure his testicles drop). Anyways, I am assumming that since he is a potential "stud dog" that he is also a "potential Show Dog". I think its fantastic that you are planning to show him, its lots of fun, very addicting! Natural ears are allowed in the Ring here in the States now.. as for me, I still prefer the cropped look. It is A LOT of work though. Especially if you have never done it, AND you have another dog to deal w/. (It maybe be quite a challenge to keep your white boy off the new one's ears) In any case, do what you prefer, just make sure if you do crop, you are ready to take on all the responsibilities that come with it.. and remember it may take up to a year for the ears to stand depending on the dog's ears and the length of the crop. good luck.
-Kat
Last edited:
SoleilBxrs
Banned
soupie said:
It has just been added to the standard.
-Kat
SoleilBxrs
Banned
Soupie- thats what i thought you meant when i re-read it you are right, it will definately take some time! I love the cropped look, but I also appreciate the look of a boxer au natural, i think it really just depends on the dog and what type of ears it has.
-Kat
you are right, it will definately take some time! I love the cropped look, but I also appreciate the look of a boxer au natural, i think it really just depends on the dog and what type of ears it has. -Kat
swatman
Boxer Booster
I guess it is personal preference at this point, although it should be interesting to see how judges now view and evaluate the natural dogs with the newly ammended standard. I have a feeling there will still be a bias toward cropped dogs. If you are going to show your boxer then, in my opinion, you should consider the cropping issue very carefully. It is difficult, because you must choose to crop before you really know whether the boy will be a suitable s/d and stud. Listen to Kat, cropping is, or can be tremendous work. I have an 8 mo. old who still needs posting and taping and he hates it. Changing these or replacing them when they throw them off their heads can be stressful, especially with a 65 pound uncompliant pup! I prefer the cropped look but love boxers with either look. You will get the full spectrum of opinions so in the end make the decision based upon whether you can make the commitment, up to a year in some cases, and what you want to do with your boy. Good luck.
Mike
____________________________________________________
Gunther- 1999-2004 flashy brindle boy, waiting at the bridge
Jacquets Ramos- 8 mo old crazy flashy brindle boy, s/d in training
Mike
____________________________________________________
Gunther- 1999-2004 flashy brindle boy, waiting at the bridge
Jacquets Ramos- 8 mo old crazy flashy brindle boy, s/d in training
sashamom
Boxer Insane
I have Sasha (uncropped) and i love her ears...they are probably my most favorite thing about her....at night i rub her ears and she falls asleep in my lap! Telmar is a rescue and you can see by the pic in the avatar, that his ears were cropped far too short and not properly taken care of....i think they give him quite the personality, but i have to say i wont' ever crop ears because i worry so much about how painful it must have been since they were not adequately attended to!
Hey,
I personally prefer the natural look as well.
I was just wondering if anyone knows what are the standards for showing boxers in Canada. I believe that you are alowed to show them with uncropped ears?! Also do boxers with uncorpped ears have any realistic chance of doing well when shown?!
I personally prefer the natural look as well.
I was just wondering if anyone knows what are the standards for showing boxers in Canada. I believe that you are alowed to show them with uncropped ears?! Also do boxers with uncorpped ears have any realistic chance of doing well when shown?!
- Status