The DPCA offers a grant in support of a clinical mentored experience (for licensed vets) or a clinical externship (for 3rd and 4th year veterinary students) to work with veterinarians who perform show quality and breed standard ear crops. Grant recipients will be exposed to the surgical, anesthetic, and analgesic considerations required for this procedure. Safe and state of the art anesthesia and analgesia will be emphasized. Grant recipients will be exposed to needs for good patient after care, healing and posting for final aesthetic outcome. The standard for the Doberman Pinscher breed will be emphasized but other cropped breeds may also be seen as patients to provide as many opportunities to observe the procedure as possible for the grant recipient. Approved applicants are awarded a $1000 grant as an incentive and to help offset their expenses, travel and time required to train with their mentor as typically, the mentee must travel to the mentor’s clinic. The grant/stipend is awarded upon completion of the learning experience, as opposed to in advance. The time of each mentorship/externship is to be determined based on observation of several cropping procedures and with the input of the participating mentor.
Graduate Vet Grant Application
To educate and expose interested veterinarians in the art of breed standard ear cropping at the highest level of veterinary anesthesia and analgesic care.
Student Grant Application
To educate and expose veterinary students in their 3-4th year to the art of breed standard ear cropping at the highest level of veterinary anesthesia and analgesic care.
CROP GRANT GRADUATES
Oct 5, 2023
The vets listed below completed the Crop Grant program having observed a minimum of ten crops with a mentoring vet, a well established practitioner with significant show crop experience.
Mark Barker
Barker Veterinary Surgery LLC
Nichols Hills, Oklahoma 73166
405-520-5846
I want to thank the Doberman Pinscher Club of America for the experience I have had as a result of the crop and dock grant program and the veterinarians who have volunteered to participate in the program. I am grateful that my background and current involvement have led me to this opportunity.
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After completing my Doctorate of Veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University, I joined my father’s mixed animal practice in Newcastle, Oklahoma. I was the primary surgeon at the practice and performed a variety of specialty surgeries including cosmetic dehorns and reconstructive hernia repairs on show livestock. I mentored a number of veterinary student preceptors and students of the local 4-H and FFA chapters. I have recently established my own practice in Oklahoma City, Barker Veterinary Surgery LLC, where I offer a select set of elective surgeries. Through the DPCA program I was able to mentor with well-respected veterinary ear croppers and now offer ear cropping at my practice.
My wife, Sondra, and I have always had purebred dogs and became involved in conformation shows after getting our first Irish Water Spaniel, Bayes, in 2013. Bayes was groomed, conditioned, and handled by us throughout his career and is a multi Best in Show winner. We are now enjoying presenting Bayes’ offspring to the fancy. From the first two litters he has sired, we have piloted one pup to his championship and multiple group placements and another to her grand championship and multiple Best in Shows. Another pup that we co-own from the first litter is now the youngest Irish Water Spaniel to achieve her senior hunt title. We are members of the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America and I serve on the Health and Genetics and Cardiac committees. We chaired the 2021 IWSCA National Specialty in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Thank you again to the DPCA and a special thank you to Dr. Kay Backues and Dr. Anne Midgarden for your mentorship and your continued support! I look forward to being a part of this educational process in the future!
Lauren Bessert
Live Oak Veterinary
Jacksboro, Texas
940-567-6311
Dr. Lauren Bessert was born and raised in rural north Texas. She received her B.S from Tarleton State University in both Biomedical Sciences and Animal Science before attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ.
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Since childhood, Dr. Bessert very much wanted to be a veterinarian who worked with both large and small animals. She has always loved the “traditional” ways of doing things in veterinary practice and has worked hard in her practice to keep the “old ways” alive in the new generation of medicine.
Ear cropping has been an interest of hers since graduation, but finding the right mentor has been proven to be a difficult task. Upon learning about the ear cropping program sponsored by DPCA, she was elated and began quickly trying to find the right mentor. She is forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Kay Backues. The techniques she has acquired through this program will be provided at Live Oak Veterinary Clinic in Jacksboro, TX.
Rachel Blatchford
Block House Creek Animal Hospital
2200 N Bell Blvd Cedar Park, TX 78613
(737) 843-0624
Dr. Blatchford earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Indiana State University in 2014 and is a 2018 Graduate from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Chicago, Illinois she moved to Austin, Texas in 2018 to become a member of Block House Creek Animal Hospital.
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In her spare time you can find her outside with her 2 dogs letting them play in the sunshine and chasing birds, Or cuddling her 2 cats indoors.
Amy Brent
Double X Veterinary Services
136 County Road 1793 Sunset, Texas 76270
940-514-9500
Dr. Amy Brent grew up in rural northeast KS. She graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She moved to Decatur Texas and has been practicing in Wise County ever since. Now working at Double X Veterinary Services, in Sunset, TX her day to day involves small animal surgery, internal medicine but primarily canine reproduction. Her interest in cropping came to a be while showing and finishing her Great Dane, Griffin.
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A few show breeders suggested she contact Dr Anne Midgarden in Ohio. Through Anne and after learning about the ear cropping program sponsored by the DPCA, Dr Brent found it was the perfect way to learn the procedure and see several breeds to be able to grasp the skill. That being said, she realized it’s not just a science to it, but an art as well. Noticing breed types and headpieces, she sees how it’s necessary and key to giving a pup a great ear. Giving it ears that will be proportioned to that pup as an adult and quintessential to preserving that breed type. She sees that putting a beautiful ear on a show pup is absolutely essential for its career, but that also a beautiful ear on a companion pup is equally important . Her successful reproduction part of her practice, has lead Dr. Brent to wanting to fill the need for her clients and has given her the opportunity to incorporate her interest in ear cropping to the practice. Thank you to the DPCA and Dr Anne Midgarden for the opportunity. Dr Brent lives in Decatur, TX with her husband Brad and 3 kids, Rhett, Carsynn and Reed. They have 5 dogs, 3 cats, 3 horses, several goats, Bacon the pig and Tony Llama! When not working, she enjoys watching her kids play sports, her Great Dane, Griffin compete, camping and traveling.
Sarah Burbridge
Watermark Veterinary Hospital
979-803-0791
Dr. Sarah Burbridge received her veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences in California and is the owner of Watermark Veterinary Hospital, which opened in May 2023. Watermark Veterinary Hospital, WVH is a full-service small animal hospital in Brenham Texas. Dr Burbridge and her staff have a passion for canine reproduction and are committed to helping responsible canine breeders. She is a member if of the TVMA, AVMA and Society for Theriogenology.
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Bruce Christensen
Kokopelli Assisted Reproductive Services
4325 Auburn Blvd Sacramento CA 95841
916-683-4029
Dr. Christensen graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. He completed a Theriogenology residency and Masters degree in Reproductive Physiology at the University of Florida in 2007.
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Stacy Curl
Block House Creek Animal Hospital
2200 N Bell Blvd. Cedar Park, Texas 78613
512-259-4200
Doctors Marvin (Buddy) Urbanczyk and Stacy Curl have been practicing veterinary medicine for decades. Their multi-veterinarian practice sees both large and companion animals and has a strong interest in canine reproduction.
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Brooke Eubanks
Bradfordville Animal Hospital
6714 Thomasville Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32312
850-893-3047
Dr. Brooke Eubanks is a 2020 graduate from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Eubanks received her undergraduate degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida, graduating with honors. During her time in Gainesville, her studies focused on small animal, exotic, and equine practice.
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Dr. Eubanks has always had a love for Dobermans. After doing the DPCA Mentorship, she looks forward to be able to offer ear cropping at her clinic.
In her spare time, Dr. Eubanks enjoys long-distance running, cycling, and spending time with her family and two Dobermans.
She is practicing and will perform croppings at….
Bradfordville Animal Hospital
6714 Thomasville Rd,
Tallahassee, FL 32312
(850) 893-3047
Hilary Faas
Pet Central Animal Hospital
2700 Central Ave., N.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418
612-781-6941
Dr. Hilary Faas earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and her veterinary degree from Ross University in 2012. She has worked at Pet Central Animal Hospital in Minneapolis, MN since 2000 as a technician, came back there after vet school and now is their medical director.
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Dr. Nelson has performed ear crops for over 50 years and Dr. Anderson has more experience with the finer details of show crops. Dr. Faas hopes to combine her new knowledge base and continue to provide high quality crops upholding the standards and artistic beauty of these special breeds.
Kelly Garrett
Healing Hands Veterinary Services
311 Hill Rd. Groton, Massachusetts 01450
978-512-1092
I am a graduate of Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine and practice in MA and RI. In addition to conventional veterinary medicine, I am also certified in small animal Acupuncture and Chinese herbs from the Chi Institute in Florida.
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I only recently became involved with the competitive purebred dog world in 2020 when I acquired my first show dog, a Rottweiler. I never thought I would be as interested in the preservation of breed standards and the entire fancy as I have become. I was naturally excited to learn that I could have the opportunity to learn the skill of surgical ear cropping for purposes of maintaining a historic breed standard and breed image. I am extremely grateful for this learning opportunity and look forward to when I am able to offer these surgical services on my own.
Christine Gerst
Orangevale Veterinary Hospital
6248 Main Ave Unit D Orangevale, CA 95662
916-987-2055
Dr Christine Gerst was born and raised in Illinois. She is a 2010 graduate of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Gerst is the Medical Director at Orangevale Veterinary Hospital in Orangevale, CA. Her practice focuses on breeding/reproduction but also provides general GP care.
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Dr. Gerst is actively cropping since completing her mentorship.
Samantha Green
Creekwood Animal Hospital
Pontoon Beach, IL
618-931-0101
Dr. Samantha Green is a small animal veterinarian in the St. Louis area (on the IL side of the river). She completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University and graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020.
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Rachel Hack
Egg Harbor, New Jersey
410-507-5504
I am a 2016 graduate of Ross University. I have been in the performance dog show world for over 15 years and got my first cropped breed (a natural Beauceron) two years ago.
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Lori Hunt
Cuyahoga Valley Vet Clinic
3850 Brecksville Rd Richfield, OH 44286
330-659-0712
I am a practicing small animal & reproduction veterinarian in Westlake, Ohio, at Center West Animal Hospital. I have owned and loved french bulldogs since 1999 and I whelped my first litter in 2004. Since that time I have bred close to 50 champions, close to 20 Grand champions, including several at the higher levels.
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I have owned, shown and loved dogs in a few other breeds; American Cocker Spaniel, Spinone Italiano, Weimaraners, and Briards, including a past #1 Briard/#7 Herding Dog.
Within the last decade, I have enjoyed adding Maine Coons to my home and have the beginnings of a small in home cattery. Several of my cats also attend CFA shows.
My personal life with purebred animals flows quite well into my professional life as a reproduction veterinarian. I have been doing all things repro since I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2003 with top honors and awards in Theriogenology. I have been doing ear cropping for several breeds for many years, such as Briards and Bouviers. I wanted to expand my skills to other breeds as I see it easily becoming a lost art and it is important to support the purebred dog world and it’s needs. I spent time studying with Dr. Anne Midgarden to learn the more difficult crops, such as Dobermans, Great Danes and Boxers. It was a wonderful experience and hope it will add a great service to my wonderful breeder clients and those who may be looking for someone to do crops for them.
Justine Kwiecinski
Northside Animal Hospital
5377 Veterans Pkwy Suite B Columbus, Georgia 31904
706-324-0333
Dr. Kwiecinski earned her Bachelor’s degree in Companion Animal Science from Rutgers University in 2018 and graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in January of 2022 after completing her clinical year at Auburn University.
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Dr. Kwiecinski currently practices in Georgia and is grateful to have completed the ear cropping program after learning proper technique from Dr. Larry Branch. Dr. Kwiecinski has a long time love for Dobermans and recently adopted her first Doberman, Huckleberry, who has taught her a lot about the cropping process first hand. The techniques she has acquired through this program will be provided by Northside Animal Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, and two of the current five veterinarians will be offering this service.
Maryanne Mack
Feeding Hills Veterinary Clinic
1194 Springfield Street Feeding Hills, Massachusetts 01030
413-786-8828
Dr Maryanne Mack is a 2016 graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. She has been involved in the preservation, showing and breeding of purebred dogs since she was a young child.
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Dr Mack is strongly invested in the relationship between veterinarian and breeder; with a focus on reproductive medicine and the needs of the working and show dog. She loves a beautiful ear crop and strongly supports the preservation of this art.
Dr Mack is located in Feeding Hills, MA and can be reached at drmack@feedinghillsvet.com.
Linda Meakin
Breed All About It
Cincinnati, Ohio
513-832-0132
Dr Linda Meakin is a 1989 graduate of the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her B.S. in Biology from the John Carroll University in Cleveland, and went on to receive her Doctor of Nursing (ND) from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio.
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After practicing for 30 years in general medicine at All Creatures Animal Hospital in Cincinnati, she decided to open up a reproduction/pediatric clinic. Dr Linda has been breeding Puliks for over 30 years. She got into showing her Puliks about 15 years ago, and has more recently begun showing her Komondor, Pumi and Kuvasz. She has been invited to Westminster multiple times, and more recently was invited to Crufts Dog Show with her Komondorok, Big Al.
After being asked many times whether she did ear cropping, she decided to take the DPCA Crop Grant Mentorship course. She is excited to now offer ear cropping services at her practice since completing the externship. Her practice, Breed All About It, is in Cincinnati OH. For scheduling information call 513-832-0132.
Mary Moon
Madison, Georgia 30650
501-519-0182
Dr. Moon is a 2006 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She grew up in rural South Carolina on a small family farm. She enjoys working with a variety of animals from farm animals to dogs and cats in veterinary practice. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is a certified equine rehabilitation practitioner from the Chi Institute in Florida.
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Dr. Moon lives in central GA on a farm and raises dairy goats and beef cattle with her husband. She enjoys sporting events with her dogs, horseback riding and spending time with family outside of practicing veterinary medicine. Since completing the DPCA CG Mentorship, she has continued to mentor with vets experienced in long eared show crops, and has formed an LLC. As a relief vet, she has arranged to offer cropping services at several practices in her area. She is in the process of purchasing a mobile mixed animal trailer being offered for sale by a retiring colleague, and eventually plans to open a practice of her own. For cropping appointments please call 501-519-0182.
Rebekah Mullins
Covington, Georgia 30014
423-341-4319
Dr Rebekah Mullins completed veterinary school at the University of Tennessee in 2011. Throughout her career the importance of good breeding programs has become more and more apparent. With that increased interest it was only natural to pay more attention to the show ring, breed standards, and of course ear cropping.
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Julie Oghigian
Alpenglow Animal Hospital
Bozeman, MT
406-522-9491
Dr. Julie Oghigian has been working in the veterinary profession for well over 25 years, with over 20 of those in practice as a small animal veterinarian. She graduated from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and chose to pursue a prestigious rotating internship at the nation’s third largest small animal referral hospital
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Dr. Julie has a strong interest in canine and feline reproduction, canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, feline medicine/surgery, dentistry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), zoo animal and wildlife medicine/rehabilitation. Dr. Julie is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is working (in all of her spare time) toward certification in canine rehabilitation. She was a Founding Fellow of the International Association of Cat Doctors and is a member of a multitude of veterinary and professional associations as well as an executive director of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Julie was the staff doctor at Guide Dogs of America for over 4.5 years and was very excited to see the advancements and growth of the GDA veterinary program during that period. She has also been an active board member of several purebred dog breed clubs.
Outside of work, Dr. Julie loves spending time with her husband and their two young daughters, friends, and family, and enjoys competing with her AKC champion Labrador retrievers in the AKC conformation ring, AKC and HRC hunt tests, obedience, rally, and other performance venues. Dr. Julie has also been a veterinary columnist in the world-renown Labrador Quarterly magazine. She also enjoys movies, books, photography, SCUBA diving, art, and the outdoors- hiking, camping, fishing, shooting, gardening, rock-climbing, and exploring the wilderness. While, with her busy life, she appreciates her chosen “wash and wear” breed, she is excited to be able to provide the purebred and working dog communities with humane yet artful cropping procedures. She was mentored by the renowned Dr. Ann Platt.
Janice Park
Columbus, Ohio
832-562-6628
Dr. Janice Y. Park is a veterinarian at The Ohio State University who is currently fulfilling a joint residency/PhD in Anatomic Pathology. She graduated from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, during which her enthusiasm for dog shows and breed preservation began.
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Kate Player
Bristol Veterinary Clinic
Oswego, IL
630-554-1080
Kate Player, D.V.M. attended the University of Illinois, Urbana and earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences, Biotechnology, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and then her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2011.
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After witnessing so many different practice cultures and seeing the desperate need, Dr. Player decided to tackle the next adventure in veterinary medicine: She opened her first bricks and mortar veterinary clinic in January 2024! The clinic is named after her heart dog and the foundation of her breeding program. Bristol Veterinary Clinic, located in Oswego, Illinois, is a small animal general practice with a special interest in comprehensive canine (and some feline) theriogenology, neonatal, and pediatric care.
Ever since, as a very young child, she assisted her veterinarian mentor with docking tails on his many litters of Jack Russel Terrier puppies, Dr. Player had a strong desire to dock tails and crop ears properly and aesthetically. She learned the art of tail docks of a variety of lengths as a young veterinarian, but she never had the opportunity to learn the dying art of ear cropping until the DPCA Crop Grant program became available! Immediately upon learning about the unique opportunity, Dr. Player applied and was admitted to the program. She completed her mentorship with Dr. Midgarden in Ohio and has even gone back for further instruction to perfect this artful surgical procedure
When not working, you can find Dr. Player riding her bicycle, hanging out with her husband and family, or playing with her dogs. She has owned Rottweilers since 1987. She started showing conformation in 2005, Rally in 2013 and Obedience in 2015. She had her first litter in 2013 and just confirmed pregnancy on her fourth generation and eighth litter due in April 2024. She is active in the breed and is a member of the American Rottweiler Club Health Committee.
As a breeder herself, she understands the nuanced difficulties many breeders face raising litters, choosing the right parents, deciding which puppy to move forward with, and the utter importance of the safety, wellbeing, and need for a beautiful result for your puppies. Bristol Veterinary Clinic is so excited to offer the purebred community artful ear crops done humanely and correctly.
For appointments please call 630-554-1080.
Junior Saint Preux
Animal Health Associates, LLC
1321 W Craig Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
702-938-5880
Dr. Saint Preux is a small animal veterinarian who earned his Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, from Bethune-Cookman University, and his DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine.
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Alyssa Shelby
Kokopelli Assisted Reproductive Services
4325 Auburn Blvd, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95841
916-683-4029
Dr. Alyssa Shelby DVM was born and raised in central Missouri in a rural community. She earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences in May of 2013 from the University of Missouri. She attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri and graduated in May 2017 with her DVM.
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Simone Stewart
Northside Animal Hospital
5377 Veterans Pkwy., Suite B Columbus, Georgia 31904
706-324-0333
Dr. Simone Stewart is a small animal veterinarian who earned her Bachelor’s in Animal Science, Pre-Vet from Tuskegee University, and her DVM from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Marvin Urbanczyk
Block House Creek Animal Hosp.
2200 N. Bell Blvd. Cedar Park, Texas 78613
512-259-4200
Doctors Marvin (Buddy) Urbanczyk and Stacy Curl have been practicing veterinary medicine for decades. Their multi-veterinarian practice sees both large and companion animals and has a strong interest in canine reproduction.
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DPCA Position Statement Ear Cropping & Neonatal procedures, Tail docking and dewclaw removal
Historically, the removal of portions of a dog’s tail, tail dock, removal of the first digit of the forelimb, dewclaw removal, and surgical reduction in size of a dog’s ears so that they stand erect, ear cropping, was performed to help the adult dog perform his job functions with less chance for injuries. These simple and minor procedures prevented more serious, painful and potentially life-threatening injuries such as torn dewclaw or broken tail in an adult dog, where bleeding and or infection could be life threatening. Additionally, injury to the adult tail, ear, or dewclaw could be debilitating to the dog, preventing him from performing his job. Today when performed properly these procedures cause very mild and transient discomfort to puppies of appropriate age with very few reported side effects.
Tail docking and dewclaw removal are typically performed on very young puppies, typically at 3-4 days of age. When performed tail docking and dewclaw removal cause only momentary discomfort and puppies quickly go back to nursing and sleeping with their dam. Serious side effects of tail docking and dewclaw removal are rarely reported by veterinarians or breeders.
Ear cropping of Doberman Pinscher puppies is routinely performed under general anesthesia between 7-12 weeks of age by a licensed veterinarian. Modern anesthesia and analgesia are required. When performed by a veterinarian using modern techniques of surgery and analgesia ear cropping is a minor procedure that puppies recover from quickly and are typically back playing and wrestling with litter mates within 12 hours.
The DPCA believes that these common and minor procedures when performed correctly have very little risk to the puppy and only minor transient discomfort that can be adequately treated by modern veterinary practices and their need is still present for the prevention of injury and maintenance of the breed’s standard appearance.