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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Under the Miss ~ eltoe

The ongoing photo journal of Katoba Dobermans' 2009 "Miss & Mister" Litter ~ DPCA Futurity Nominated for 2010

If you are interested in being considered for one of the show prospect puppies available, (Zzzen, Soleil, Breeze),
please begin by filling out the questionnaire, (below).
Email it to Kathy at katoba@comcast.net. Please do not leave anything 'blank' on the form.
Kathy can be contacted at 253.312.4839.

Today was re-posting day. I thought the ears would be ready to try Breathrites but, with the cutting of the molars and eye teeth, I think they Need the extra support of
the posts for another week or two ... especially over Christmas, when I do not want anyone to have any worries about droopy ears. As for the pups in my house ...
I removed the old posts to find lovely ears ~ long and fancy ~ just as I expected they would turn out to be. I left the puppies be post-free for 12 hours today. At the end
of that 12 hours, I had major droopers - even on the girls who normally stand without fail, (I have only seen Erica's ears droop once).
Next week we will go to Breathrites for those who can stand solid for 4 hours or more.

We will need to add a

to the bunch ... then they will all be covered. ha!

Dropsy

There are MANY methods people use to wrap ears ... and LOTS of variety to each method.
With this litter, I initially tried the insulation tubing method - with tape and with Vet wrap ... I did not like it. Although I know several who are successful in getting the ears
to stand, I was not at all pleased with what I was seeing in the progression of the ear shaping. There was widening of the leathers and tips and loss of shape to the
ear edge. I had a dog from the first litter who was posted using that method, and since we were NOT pleased with that outcome, I should have known to stick with what
I know. That said, I went back to what I am familiar and have been successful with ... tongue depressors, paper towel, and tape. It is quick to prepare, once you know
how ... and it is reliable, giving consistent results. Since I do a bit of tape work for my rehab patients, I am very comfortable using the J & J Sports Cloth Tape - I have
come to "know it's habits" - and I do like the results, much moreso than that of Zona's or Vet wrap. When the pups are young and first begin posting, I do use Skin
Bond to attach the ear to the post, but after about a month of posting, when the leathers are strengthening, I no longer use the Skin Bond. I also do NOT like to back
tape do to the extreme discomfort and possible pull burns it causes.
While everyone gets to choose how they wrap their ears, I thought it may be of benefit to post my method. If you click on the link below, you can see my Posting
Method in step by step photo and instruction.
The puppies above were cropped 9 weeks ago and the photos depict the ears after being unsupported for more than 12 hours; being rained on, napped on, chewed
on, and blowing in the wind :). This is normal for my dogs at this stage. I post, tape, and use Breathrite Strips for as LONG AS IT TAKES.
I would NOT "re-crop" a dogs ears because I did not want to tape anymore - nor would I leave the ears to long the first time.
PEOPLE - GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME ... and if you want a long crop, be prepared to "post until the cows come home"!!
Regardless of the views of some who want to explain away their unacceptable actions, recropping is not only CRUEL, UNNECESSARY, and DOES support
those PETA fanatics who want to abolish the cropping rights we have ... but it is also a clear WRITTEN violation of the Rules of AKC Dogs Shows.
AS with some other Breeds, the Doberman Standard is written to allow for Ear Cropping.
That said, the American Kennel Club rules do NOT allow for surgeries or medications that can or will change the appearance of a dog.
Cropping is the first ear surgery to reshape and shorten the Dobermans ears.
Anything after that - especially months down the road (when some cannot get the ears to stand) ... is a COSMETIC REPAIR.
SHAME on you breeders and/or owners who violate this rule, (especially those who point ANY finger), as well as ANYONE who turns a blind eye or supports it at all.
This type of thing is provifing more and more credence and support to the anti-crop-PETA-freaks!!
Ignorance is not always bliss - and now, ALL who have read this, can no longer claim "ignorance" (not that it would do you any good anyway).

"Off" the soap box ... "On" to the posting methods:
In these times we all need one ... a disclaimer that is. Here is mine on this subject: I take NO responsibility for those who choose to use this or any form of this method.
If you end up with poor results, I will not be held accountable. While I have had great success with it, doing the actual posting myself, but, that doesn't mean others will.
Many factors can effect the outcome of a cropped ear starting with the entire cropping process and include but not be limited to diet, supplementation, health,
exposure to moisture, time between re-posting, contact with other dogs or allergens, poor product, and a whole array of other factors.
That said, I do hope it is effective for those who choose to try it.

Again, the puppies in the photos above were cropped two months ago. The photos depict the ears, after being completely UNsupported for more than 12 hours. They
had been rained on; slept on; chewed on; and were blowing in the wind for some of the photos. I do not necessarily recommend this. Any extended period of time the
ears are left unsupported may likely add time to which you will have to continue posting. I expect up to a few more months of posting needed for these pups ... again it
is normal for my dogs, as I do like a longer crop ... and that requires a diligent commitment to a longer taping/posting process.

Ear Posting Instructions

When we have reached a point where the ears are standing 80-90% and remaining for these extended lengths of time,
I begin using Breath Rite Strips and Skin Bond to support the ears. If you click on the link below, you will be able to view those Instructions as well.