Cropped/Docked or Natural?

[puppydog]

Oh I have thick skin, you have to when you own Pit Bulls.. since you're constantly being told your dog IS going to rip your face off at any minute and no, you can't bring your TDI dog to this hospital because it might harm a child. I don't think I'd survive over on my other forum if I didn't either.. this place is rainbows & butterflies compared to over there!

However, I still find it rude when someone flat out insults my specific dog, when I didn't ask for a critique and when I don't think any other dogs were specifically pointed out (unless posted by their owners) in this thread. I'm not going to go cry about it, obviously, but still rather off putting.

Oh sure, that is totally your prerogative. I still get angry every time someone tells me my dog is a rat, useless, pathetic, whimpery (which they are not), soccer ball, lunch, ugly etc. I just put it down to them being small minded though.

I know Dizzy, she did not mean it how you are taking it. I have the same issues with expressing myself, I do think I know what she meant. I think she meant that the crop detracts for his beauty FOR HER. Maybe I am wrong. Who knows.

 

[Doberluv]

Hey Tag...it wasn't personal. I didn't even remember who said what. It was really general. Sorry 'bout that. By missing something, I guess I meant something like, someone who doesn't believe the nub tail doesn't show because it doesn't wag in a swaying fashion vs. a stiff, level wag...those things that might hint to us if the dog is friendly or nervous, then you can't tell anything.....well, my point was that you don't have to have a long tail to notice those things. Well, at least I don't.

And that on my Dobe, his little nubbins told all. There were these various angles he'd hold it. Up higher, straight out, crooked....off to one side, frozen. Or wagging it violently fast. lol. Or slowly and it would sometimes stop at each side for just a split of a second before it went the other way. Along with that were all kinds of facial things....the apature of a dog's mouth is a sign, the eyes, ears, the look in their eyes, body language, of course. It's the whole thing really is telling, not just one body part.

Yeah, it's probably the caffeine for sure. I need some too. Anyhow, I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing. I wouldn't want to hurt you for the world.

 

[Taqroy]

Yeah, it's probably the caffeine for sure. I need some too. Anyhow, I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing. I wouldn't want to hurt you for the world.

Yep it was definitely the lack of coffee coupled with the annoying people on my way in today. LOL. Don't worry about a thing, sorry I got bent out of shape.

 

[Doberluv]

Good. *puts arm around Tag's shoulder* No worries then...

 

[stafinois]

As far as uncropped dogs looking less intimidating or less "aggressive", IDK....I think that a large segment of the population is just freaked out by large dark colored dogs. I've had people apparently very intimidated (everything from walking off the sidewalk or across the street to avoid us to outright freaking out, swearing, etc) by this face...If labs were cropped imagine the panic in my neighborhood!:yikes:

And on the flip side, it's rare for me to encounter anybody that is afraid of Grant. The ones I do are people that would even be afraid of a Pug. It has always baffled me, as he's very typey and has cropped ears. Shouldn't he be scaring people silly? But no, nobody is afraid of Grant. He has always attracted attention everywhere that he goes, and I can count on my fingers how many times people have been obviously freaked out by him. I think he just has some calming or happy aura or something.

 

[Sit Stay]

Grant is awesome and I love his crop - he'd be handsome no matter what, but his crop really suits him and his build. He's a dog that I'd love to meet someday!

Kady I really think you need to take a deep breath. You've referenced Sako a ton on this thread and even posted pictures of him, and then directly asked Dizzy a question. I don't think it was out of line for her to use him as an example and she was quite nice about it.

FWIW, I too think that you can still find a dog attractive or at least pleasing to look at even if you don't like an individual physical trait. I've said it many times before that clear sable isn't my favorite ES color. I'd much rather a shaded sable and my next dog will be - I'm allowing myself to be super picky! That said, I still think Quinn is a beautiful dog (though I am biased) and I prefer her build and conformation to many English Shepherds I see online.

 

[stafinois]

Grant is awesome and I love his crop - he'd be handsome no matter what, but his crop really suits him and his build. He's a dog that I'd love to meet someday!

Thanks!

FWIW, I too think that you can still find a dog attractive or at least pleasing to look at even if you don't like an individual physical trait. I've said it many times before that clear sable isn't my favorite ES color. I'd much rather a shaded sable and my next dog will be - I'm allowing myself to be super picky! That said, I still think Quinn is a beautiful dog (though I am biased) and I prefer her build and conformation to many English Shepherds I see online.

LOL, too bad you can't trade with my in-laws. They hate the shaded sable and wanted a clear. I showed them a pic of Quinn and they were in love! I think that they will grow to like Cassie's color, but they keep calling her an ugly mud color. LOL

When I got Grant, I told his breeder that I didn't want a red or fawn dog. She'd had litters before his, all blue or black. His sire was blue and his mom was black. And, here is his litter...

Grant's breeder had two more litters before she herself passed away. Both litters were all blacks. To this day, people question him being a Hartagold dog because those dogs are blue or black. LOL

 

[monkeys23]

Oh he was adorable!!! He still is, but oh my the roly poly puppy Grant...

 

[~Jessie~]

Grant is my dream dog... he is exactly the type of dog I'd love to have some day. His crop is perfect and I think it looks better than how I could imagine him without it.

 

[kady05]

Kady I really think you need to take a deep breath. You've referenced Sako a ton on this thread and even posted pictures of him, and then directly asked Dizzy a question. I don't think it was out of line for her to use him as an example and she was quite nice about it.

LOL I'm really not that upset. However, I didn't post any pictures of Sako on THIS thread cropped. I posted puppy pictures of before his crop. Either way, it's whatever

 

[Renee750il]

LOL I'm really not that upset. However, I didn't post any pictures of Sako on THIS thread cropped. I posted puppy pictures of before his crop. Either way, it's whatever

Much as I love Terrier ears, I can absolutely see why you had Sako's done since he is showing. They wonkeared look is adorable, but it wouldn't have fit his princely persona very well

 

[kady05]

Much as I love Terrier ears, I can absolutely see why you had Sako's done since he is showing. They wonkeared look is adorable, but it wouldn't have fit his princely persona very well

Haha, nope, they definitely wouldn't have fit him! That and, I would've been laughed out of the ring.

 

[Gempress]

In terms of ears, I love a well-done show crop. I think it looks so elegant. I'm not a big fan of the shorter pet crops. If given the choice, I would take a natural ear over the pet-style crop.

As for tail docking, eh, I'm pretty indifferent with most breeds. I love 'em with or without their tails. The exception for me would be blackmouth curs, like my Zeus. Quite a few of them are docked for working purposes: they have long, rather whippy tails that would be a liability when working cattle or hunting. But Zeus has such elegant, almost sighthoundish lines, and the tail accents it nicely. I think that curs tend to look rather cobby without their tails.

 

[Dizzy]

Oh sure, that is totally your prerogative. I still get angry every time someone tells me my dog is a rat, useless, pathetic, whimpery (which they are not), soccer ball, lunch, ugly etc. I just put it down to them being small minded though.

I know Dizzy, she did not mean it how you are taking it. I have the same issues with expressing myself, I do think I know what she meant. I think she meant that the crop detracts for his beauty FOR HER. Maybe I am wrong. Who knows.

Oi, i don't have issues!! Hahaha!! I'm just honest you can't sugar coat everything, I find yes people very irritating lol get some opinions Goddamnit!!

 

[aussiedoggie]

I am for natural myself, although I do not mind what other people do with their dogs. ​

 

[Sit Stay]

LOL, too bad you can't trade with my in-laws. They hate the shaded sable and wanted a clear. I showed them a pic of Quinn and they were in love! I think that they will grow to like Cassie's color, but they keep calling her an ugly mud color. LOL

When I got Grant, I told his breeder that I didn't want a red or fawn dog. She'd had litters before his, all blue or black. His sire was blue and his mom was black. And, here is his litter...

Grant's breeder had two more litters before she herself passed away. Both litters were all blacks. To this day, people question him being a Hartagold dog because those dogs are blue or black. LOL

Haha, that is too funny! My mom's the same - really likes clear sables but isn't huge on shadeds like I am.
They'll grow to love Cassie's color I'm sure! The shadeds can look a little dull as puppies but I'm sure she'll shed out that nice rich reddish brown

LOL, how funny about Grant! I love his color by the way - I've always thought his white markings look so sharp against his dark points.

 

[puppydog]

Oi, i don't have issues!! Hahaha!! I'm just honest you can't sugar coat everything, I find yes people very irritating lol get some opinions Goddamnit!!

You see, again with the issues in expressing myself! :rofl1:

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

The beauty of grant is he has an amazing head piece and body with or without cropped ears, not all dogs have the other aspects of the standard.

I really like Grant, he's a beautiful Amstaf specimen.