Expert: Jannie Balliett - 7/23/2008

Question
I just purchased a boxer pup, he is over 13 weeks old and 27 lbs. Can you tell me or direct me to someone who could tell me is it too late to crop his ears ?

Answer
Call you vet- better yet, why haven't you taken your new puppy into your vet yet?

Usually, Boxer-savvy (any that crops ears) will recommend waiting until his ears are more developed. It ranges from 3-4 months old to approx. 6-12 months old depending on the vet.

Call your vet and ask his policy. Also, make an appointment to get your new puppy in to see him/her for a wellness check-up; tests, shots, worming, (all shots have series, did the breeder prove they were done?) and heart worm preventive medicine, and ask the vet then about the ears.

Personally, I like natural.

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Follow-Up:

Walter,

In my original answer to you- whether the age of cropping is right or wrong, and that's entirely opinionated by vets- I did advise you to get your new puppy to your vet for a wellness check-up and shots and to ask your vet what he/she recommended.

That is sound advise and a responsible answer.

Your rating of my lack of knowledge is uncalled for and wrong.

To back up my answer of some vets range from 3-4 months old to 6-12 months old- which is a lot to do with vets not wanting to crop ears anymore and preferring to give owners a chance to reconsider it as well as varied opinions of correct age:


All Boxers

http://www.allboxerinfo.com/Ears_To_Crop_or_Not.html

If you would like more debatable information and vet debates, please don't hesitate to ask.