I just can't do it

ninersneal · #1 31st October 2001, 10:17 PM

I really would like to show George. I want to get my feet wet and enter some shows, and learn more. I just cannot bring myself to crop his ears. I have nothing against anyone who does, so please dont misunderstand. My personal feelings are against doing it and if I did I would feel like a hypocrite. I dont want to start an ear argument but I would like some advice from the pros here. He is a very mellow, well mannered boy who could possibly be a UDX contender, do I forget conformation and concentrate on that, or do I try conformation for experience and exposure for him (so he is used to the environment and myself as well) knowing we could be excused or ignored. I really do love this breed and my pups and would love to be able to do something like this with them. I am not a competitive person but would love the experience of training and working with my dogs.

JulieM · #2 1st November 2001, 06:43 AM

There's no reason you can't do both. Uncropped ears are a deviation from the standard only - they are not even a fault. If he is a quality dog in most other ways, he should be able to hold his own. I would suggest really choosing your judges carefully whenever you can - there is a regularly updated list of judges that will and will not put up natural-eared Boxers, I've posted it before so a forum search will pull it up. Yes, you will get some flak from some people, and you might get excused, but many judges look at the entire dog, and not just the ears

(In the ABC Top Twenty Competition, where dogs are graded on a point scale, out of a possible 200 points ears are worth 2. Makes you wonder what all the hoopla is about, doesn't it?)

I would not sacrifice the UDX for conformation, though, IMO the UDX is more important to the breed.

Julls · #3 1st November 2001, 07:50 AM

Sorry for the ignorance but what is UDX? I tried a search but it won't accept terms less than 4 letters...

iluvboxers · #4 1st November 2001, 12:24 PM

The UDX is Utility Dog Excellent, they call it the Ph.D of obedience, there are three levels, novice, open and utility.

ninersneal · #5 1st November 2001, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the reponse, I have really been stressing over this. He really is a very attentive pup, he follows me and watches me. He is already learning to sit, knows how to use the dog door and goes potty when I take him out. He is really mellow and I bet he would do wonderfully.