Hey guys,
I have been considering getting a Doberman as my new pet because I have always been fascinated by their grace and loyalty towards their owners. However, I am a little confused regarding the practice of ear docking. I have seen many Dobermans with their ears cropped and standing erect, which looks quite stylish, but I want to know if it's really necessary for all Dobermans to undergo this procedure.
My vet told me that ear cropping is done to reduce the risk of ear infections and injuries, but I have also read that it's purely cosmetic and can cause pain and discomfort for the dog. I don't want to put my pet through any unnecessary pain just for the sake of looks.
So, what do you guys think? Should a Doberman always have their ears docked? Is it really necessary? Or is it just a matter of personal preference? I would really appreciate your expert opinions. Thank you!

Hi,
I also had to make the decision whether or not to crop my Doberman's ears when I first got him. At first, I was really into the look of the cropped ears and thought it was the norm for the Doberman breed. However, the more research I did, the more I learned about the potential drawbacks of the procedure and began to have second thoughts.
In the end, I decided not to crop his ears. The procedure seemed unnecessary for my dog's lifestyle, and I didn't want to put him through the pain and discomfort that can come with ear cropping. Instead, I invested in some ear care products and made sure to clean his ears regularly. My Doberman has never had any issues with ear infections, and his natural floppy ears give him a unique and adorable look.
As others have said, the decision to crop or not is ultimately up to the owner. But, for me, choosing not to crop my Doberman's ears was the right decision for both him and me.