I have presented my case in a separate page as to why I believe you should crop your Dane's ears.
One follow up note here based on a recent experience.
I went out of my way to help those who want the ears cropped. I knew it'd be all worth it at the end.
However, it has been a lot of work, time, emotions and expense I sacrificed by referring pups to the only vet I know.
This is how & why:
- It is a fact that very few vets still do it. There is now one single vet on Vancouver Island - and he knows it. He has a very arrogant
(almost rude) attitude "and I can say that as his friend - I told that already". But he also does a great job. (There used to be
another vet near Victoria. She retired). Other than that, in the entire BC province, there is one vet in Vancouver and one near Prince
George, and that's it. And by the way, the Prince George vet charges $750 excluding related expenses. The Vancouver vet is not
far behind. However, the Island vet charges almost half as much because he is a supporter of the cropping procedure. He is booked
for months ahead. Doberman, Danes and other dogs..
This vet is also near retirement but he works as a consultant or an associate with several clinics, part time. I took 3 pups to him -
twice - so far, and on the first day, he made it very clear to me - in his words: (I am dealing with you and you only. You deal with
your "customers". I don't have time for a woman calling me with a stupid question on how to change the tape. You deal with them,
they call you, not me).
This is why I do not wish to get involved in this again unless it's really a must. It is hard to explain and some may not understand.
A woman once said: I should be able to call him, I paid for it. He responded: I could charge twice as much.
I must comment again, he is really good. He does an incredible job. And, he charges a lot less that what others do. But, because he is in demand, booked ahead for at least 2 months all the time, if I book an ears surgery appointment with him I must pay the cost in full on my credit card over the phone, and if you cancel, it's my problem. Most of the fee I paid will be lost between the almost half fee kept as administrative costs and prepaid scheduled surgery helpers, and other costs associated with travel and hired help I use for communication and travel to the clinic. However, it is hard to explain that to the pup buyer, especially if they don't know me personally - as it may look unbelievable. What makes it worse is the fact that I don't want to alienate and lose the vet and I have to accept his way of doing things: he crops the ears, end of the job. So, more than once, I couldn't explain to the applicant who changed her mind on ears cropping and I had to quietly take the loss rather than explain it.
- He deals with "breeders" only - as he performs only when there is at least 3 pups on the same day, and he would not accept an out
of the Island applicant. And, as explained, he'll not deal with you personally, will not take calls or answer questions also because he is not even at the clinic unless he is performing the surgery, and he will not touch the pup's ears again if handled by another vet (which will be the case since you'll pick up the pup on the evening of the surgery).
This brings up another complication, if you don't pick up the pup right after surgery, I'd have to hire a puppy sitter to watch the separated pup so he won't scratch the ears, the tape won't come lose ... etc. Taped pups are individually separated. That's another cost I had to pay personally as I could not explain to the buyer.
- Then there is the extra hidden expenses such as paying one of my employees to travel twice to Victoria or Vancouver, a whole day mission and about 4 hours travel and as the ferry if in Vancouver, her personal expenses and fee for the day, travel ...etc. all of which I never claimed as those who don't know me may not understand and again I just had to pay it myself in the past.
- He requires average 2 months notice (and minimum 3 pups) which means I'd need a commitment early - and the fees I pay out of
pocket in advance at that early stage can be at risk of personal loss.
For these reasons, I do not wish to get involved in helping with the ears except as plan "B". I'd like to keep this near by, cheaper, and excellent vet for my friends & relatives future pups. They at least - pay the total expenses in advance knowing it's mostly nonrefundable. I encourage you to call one of the other 2 vets who have their own clinics and do perform this procedure and to call ASAP even if it'll cost you a few hundred dollars more, it's a one time extra cost.
Remember that most Vets want it done at 6 or 7 weeks, maximum 8. After 8 weeks old of age they would not do it. So you would need to decide and book it as soon as the pup is born to get an appointment.
Only when plan "B" is a must, you would have to pay that fee plus related expenses as non-refundable and sufficiently in advance. I had more than one case when an applicant changed her mind to not crop, not realizing the complications behind it and the costs I have to pay.
