Doberman questions?

[Tamaryth]

My best friend has a dachsund that is her baby. She has had him for many years and he is the best dog in the entire world. He is Max's Uncle Lenny. He is wonderful with any other dog. Well, my friend is mulling over getting a guard dog. She has decided she really loves the doberman, but she hates the idea of having him cut on (ie. ears & tail). She wants to know if, other than asthetics, is there any health reasons that doberman's have bobbed tails and ears clipped?

Thanks!

[Rottweilerlvr]

I thought this was a good article to read.

http://www.dobermann.com/marshak.htm

[Tamaryth]

Thanks. That is a good article. It seems that my friend will be fine by not cropping or bobbing the tail. I don't think the other dogs will make fun of him. They have a rich history but she is such a dog lover that she would never do something that is simply for asthetics. My husband, however, thinks she is a loon for not wanting to have her doberman look "right". To each his own I guess. :o

[Rottweilerlvr]

Well, I perfer the look of a doberman being cropped and docked... I've seen the natural look on them and to me, they look more like a hound or something... It's her choice though...

[SmoothCollieluver]

I would suggest docking the tail. The intact dobs i have seen have alot of issues with breaking their tails from wagging and hitting things. But they do just great with normal ears.

[Patch O' Pits]

In other countries it is illegal to crop even in the show ring you see the dogs naturally :)

[StarfishSaving]

When you say guard dog, what do you mean his purpose will be? Just for looks, to scare intruders away? Because if so, I hate to say it but cropped/docked makes more sense- otherwise he'll look like a big dopey coonhound. I don't really like the sound of "guard dog." Is she going to actually train him for protection?

*for the record- I don't really like cropping and docking but I like the idea of a "pretend" scary dog a lot better than actually making a dobe into a scary dog.

[d'tails]

Ummm, that certainly does not apply to poodles.

[ClarkFarm]

If she is wanting a dog that would also appear intimidating, I would say yes to being docked/cropped.

[Rottweilerlvr]

Well, if she is going to be getting a "guard dog" I hope she plans on training and socializing it... Maybe your friend needs to read the thread Protecting the Home.

[Tamaryth]

When you say guard dog, what do you mean his purpose will be? Just for looks, to scare intruders away? Because if so, I hate to say it but cropped/docked makes more sense- otherwise he'll look like a big dopey coonhound. I don't really like the sound of "guard dog." Is she going to actually train him for protection?

*for the record- I don't really like cropping and docking but I like the idea of a "pretend" scary dog a lot better than actually making a dobe into a scary dog.

HA! The dog would end up being a giant sweetheart if I know my friend, but would keep someone from breaking into her house or at least give them pause. Lenny (the dachsund) wouldn't really be able to turn an intruder away.

She lives alone and in a part of town that is higher crime than most parts of the town. It is still no 'mean streets' or anything but she worries sometimes and thinks she would just feel better knowing there was a big boy to keep the bad guys away.