Our new puppy Brutus...

[Taylor]

...is no longer Ole Bucket Head.

He is now Ole Goal Post Head.

 

[Feralpeg]

He is looking very handsome! He is one beautiful dog!

 

[MsDisney23]

He is getting there!

 

[Tinijocaro]

'scuse my ignorance, but why does he have that stuff on his head?

Jackie

 

[Taylor]

I think he knows how handsome he is!

He has come a long way in the last week. He is doing very well on the leash, he accepts his cage, and he rings a bell hanging from the door when he needs to go out. Now we are working on his playful biting and chewing.

 

[Taylor]

'scuse my ignorance, but why does he have that stuff on his head?

Jackie

He is a Great Dane. Their ears are naturally large and floppy. The ears are cropped at 6 weeks and our breeder uses a cup to hold the ears in place for the first week. When the cup comes off, the ears are splinted. This will go on for some months until the cartilage in the ear strengthens.

 

[Honu]

Is this done to the ears just for aesthetics or health reasons? I tend to be a floppy ear lover myself, but I know that some dogs are prone to ear infections because of their ear shape.

He's a cutie!

 

[Marseeya]

He is a Great Dane. Their ears are naturally large and floppy. The ears are cropped at 6 weeks and our breeder uses a cup to hold the ears in place for the first week. When the cup comes off, the ears are splinted. This will go on for some months until the cartilage in the ear strengthens.

Do they have to be cropped in show dogs?

I've seen some Danes in my neck of the woods, but none of them had cropped ears.

At any rate, they're beautiful dogs either way!

 

[Taylor]

Do they have to be cropped in show dogs?

The currently "accepted standard" for a Great Dane who is shown in the US is cropped ears. There is no health reason to do it - appearance only. Ears that are properly cropped and developed through splinting give the animal a very sharp and regal look.

Our breeder has sold one of the current litter to a lady in Finland and this dog was not cropped. In Europe they believe it to be cruel. I have even heard that there are many in the US moving towards uncropped ears.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

According to the site it is not a requirement, although I am sure it is what people expect here in the US???

http://www.akc.org/breeds/great_dane/index.cfm

Ears shall be high set, medium in size and of moderate thickness, folded forward close to the cheek. The top line of the folded ear should be level with the skull. If cropped, the ear length is in proportion to the size of the head and the ears are carried uniformly erect

 

[Tinijocaro]

What exactly does cropping mean- is it a fancy name for cutting?

Jackie

 

[Taylor]

What exactly does cropping mean- is it a fancy name for cutting?

Jackie

Cropping is a trimming (cutting) of the ears. The dog is under anesthesia, the ears are cut and stitched. It is just like when they "bob" the tails of certain breeds.

We never noticed Brutus acting like he was in pain or discomfort.

 

[vettechick99]

I love Danes! My sister has two and she'd rescue more if she had the room! I informed DH yesterday that a dane was the next doggie for me -- I could tell from his reaction it's gonna take some convincing.

He's beautiful!

What exactly does cropping mean- is it a fancy name for cutting?

Jackie

Jackie, I guess you could say it's the same thing. Back in the day they used to crop the ears so they wouldn't get damaged on the hunt. The practice has continued, but many people are leaving the ears natural. I personally prefer the natural ear, but there is something so handsome about cropped ears on a large dane.

 

[Taylor]

Brutus's father "Mick"

 

[Feralpeg]

Wow. Mick is gorgeous. I'm sure his son will follow in dad's footsteps!

 

[crz4mm2]

What a beautiful Dog he is!! I love Danes too. Would love to have one, but the house just isn't big enough!

 

[Taylor]

Brutus's momma "Alice".

 

[SimbaDog]

Beautiful dog. I almost bought one before my Mastiff. I'm now a Mastiff owner for life, but still love the Danes.

 

[Cass]

What will Brutus weigh when he's all grown up? Beautiful animal, that's for sure.

 

[Taylor]

What will Brutus weigh when he's all grown up? Beautiful animal, that's for sure.

If the size of the parents are an indication, we assume he will be 180 lbs. plus. "Alice" is exceptionally large for a female Dane. Males are usually bigger, plus Brutus was the "brute" of the litter.