So, I walk by this hair salon every day after work and peek through the door so I can crush out on the adorable Great Dane that belongs to the owner there.
He's a gorgeous Harlequin, and I've watched him grow from a very large puppy to a ridiculously humongous adult over the last year and a half. And I've seen his ears in casts (I guess you'd call them casts; they're padded inside and wrapped with tape, joined together at the top) FOUR TIMES. What's going on here? Is his owner so intent on having his ears stick up that he'd subject this beautiful dog to surgery again and again, to get the right "effect"?
Am I misinterpreting? Is it strictly cosmetic? Because, if it is, I just can't understand it.
He's a gorgeous Harlequin, and I've watched him grow from a very large puppy to a ridiculously humongous adult over the last year and a half. And I've seen his ears in casts (I guess you'd call them casts; they're padded inside and wrapped with tape, joined together at the top) FOUR TIMES. What's going on here? Is his owner so intent on having his ears stick up that he'd subject this beautiful dog to surgery again and again, to get the right "effect"?
Am I misinterpreting? Is it strictly cosmetic? Because, if it is, I just can't understand it.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Thu, April 27, 2006 - 9:26 PMThere is only one surgery. But, the ears are taped up and removed numerous times to allow for time for them to get air, heal etc...
It's purely cosmetic. There are some arguments that it helps the ears from getting infections and hematomas, but I'm not really sold on that.
As to the ethical quandary, there are often vast, mean debates on it, that I'd rather not see spawned again. I couldn't bring myself to crop my pup's ears, but that's my decision, rather than a judgement on others. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 7:27 AMThanks for the info.
Personally, I like the floppy ears. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 7:57 AMMy wonderful dog, Zekey, has floppy ears that are as big as my hand (and I have HUGE hands - esp. for a woman). We call them "steak ears" and I have no idea where that came from - maybe the size - can't remember. He has such beautiful expression in them I can't imagine him with cropped ears.
We saw a STUNNING Dane in Pescadero last Sunday. I don't know what to call his coat pattern, but it was kind of greyish with some subtle spotting - absolutely gorgeous animal. Does anyone know what I am talking about (because clearly, I don't!)? This guy was huge and breathtaking. We were in the car or we'd have made friends.
Thanks.
D. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 8:50 AMsounds like a merle - which is a pretty color and are used in breeding programs...but is not an AKC recognized color. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 9:29 AMBarSnake!!! You RULE! I looked it up and that's exactly right - a merle. Our guy, Zeke, is brindle, and one doesn't see many brindles (we call him the "Brindle Prince"), either.
Thanks so much. These guys are incredible!
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Unsu...
Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 10:36 AMHedwig has wonderful huge floppy ears too, with tons of expression. I can't imagine his personality without them. But, cropping can have an amazing look on a dog too when it's done well, which sadly isn't the case a lot of the time.
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, April 28, 2006 - 8:46 AM
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Sat, April 29, 2006 - 2:14 PMHello,
The softest thing I have ever felt is a Great Dane’s ear. With that in mind I would never be a party to cropping a dog’s ears. As a point of information does a Great Dane on the show circuit have to have cropped ears? That is does that form part of the standard. In New Zealand where I came from Danes with cropped ears could not be shown. Now I believe there is a strong move to do away with the docking of tails in other breeds.
Shaun -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Sun, April 30, 2006 - 10:54 AMgreat danes can be shown either cropped or natural ears...in fact, some natural eared dogs just won in the ring at the San
diego Great Dane Club Sepcialty show...
i think it goes to the style for the type of the dog...while the long show crop has been exaggerated and would probably not be much good - it should be considered what any dog was bred to do...Great Danes were bred to bring down wild boar and for protection. the ear crop was to lessen an area that can be grabbed or bitten.
as political as the dog show ring can become - one would have to find a judge that shows no prefernce for cropped ears.
we met 2 lovely ladies from new zealand at the Texas Great Dane Nationals 2 years back...they breed and show there. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 7:38 AMI believe that we have had this discussion some time back. BarSnake is correct in the reason for docking the ears. As strongly as we all feel about our Danes it's kind of the same discussion of circumcision for our children! It is really up to the owner but I sure do love the touch and feel of "Steak Ears" (that is the greatest expression!). But I have seen some Danes with Cropped ears that I couldn’t imagine with natural ears, it defiantly gives a stronger appearance more guard dog look than floppy ears. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 8:37 AMthanx, bonfire - i know this is a touchy issue...and i do understand folks not wanting to crop...
but believe me - when done by a skilled vet and with careful aftercare - there is very little discomfort... -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Fri, May 19, 2006 - 12:13 PMHas anyone had a problem with dogs regressing in their housebreaking? My dogs have both started wetting in the house and we can't figure out what the deal is. Any hints?
Also, this is an embarrassing question, but is there a regular cleaning process that one should go through with one's dog's ears? We have a rinse, but is there something more we should be doing? Thanks. -
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Re: ear cropping? or what?
Tue, June 6, 2006 - 2:18 AMYes Yes and Yes
My dane totally regressed in her house taining and I mean totally. I belive she really did it out of nervousness. I could not leave her in the house alone ever.
I washed my dogs ears with a rinse and then a lot of cleaning them out with cotten balls after the ear wash. Worked great, it was what my vet recommended me to do. (She has natural ears)
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reply to darla
Wed, January 17, 2007 - 1:50 PMHi! You were speaking of a great dane with the terrific coloring! Well its probably a grey/silver merle, thats what my dane is! They are gorgeous, my boy named Diesel is two months old and his coloring is just great, we were so excited to find him since we heard that kind of coloring was rare! -
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Unsu...
Re: reply to darla
Wed, January 17, 2007 - 3:14 PMBlue Merles aren't rare as far as danes go, but it sure is a great coloring. Congratulations on your new family member!
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