I'm sure I could, I'm just concerned that would focus more attention on us and I would rather be more under the radar. Not that I have anything to hide, I just don't want to get into a conflict.
There are a few traditional reasons to crop the ears of LGD breeds. To avoid wolves from grabbing them. A wolf grabbing an ear mean another wolf coming for the throat. Also a cut to the ear bleeds profusely due to the many blood vessels that run through them, and will be an easy target for infection. Also, a lot of LGD breeds wear metal spike collars, for throat protection, that can get flapping ears stuck and rip them. Then there is the myth that a dog with cropped ears will hear better, and the belief that a dog with cropped ears looks more menacing.
My theory to why they don't traditionally do this to the tail because normally wolves are facing the front end of an LGD, not the back :-P An LGD will charge the wolf, and the wolf will run, most of the times. The LGD will never turn his back on the wolf, so the tail will not be exposed to an attack.
Jen - Masha has started joining in w/ Luytiy. It will me many months, tho, before she will really start to show her workability. Right now I just want her to bond with her "livestock" [the other dogs]. Luytiy is a little under-socialized, so he's got a shorter fuse... while Masha is very socialized [at this point], so she will not be as trigger happy.
They are awesome, glad you got them from a great breeder too. That always helps. One day I may get an Ovcharka, I do prefer the South Russian but the Caucasian is awesome.
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Thanks for the explanation Brad, that makes sense.
To avoid wolves from grabbing them. A wolf grabbing an ear mean another wolf coming for the throat.
Also a cut to the ear bleeds profusely due to the many blood vessels that run through them, and will be an easy target for infection.
Also, a lot of LGD breeds wear metal spike collars, for throat protection, that can get flapping ears stuck and rip them.
Then there is the myth that a dog with cropped ears will hear better, and the belief that a dog with cropped ears looks more menacing.
My theory to why they don't traditionally do this to the tail because normally wolves are facing the front end of an LGD, not the back :-P
An LGD will charge the wolf, and the wolf will run, most of the times. The LGD will never turn his back on the wolf, so the tail will not be exposed to an attack.
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Love Masha's face shape! Such a pretty girl. ~
*I love how Luytiy and Kona are ultra agitated while Hilo and Masha couldn't care less. lol.
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Defend the fort!!!~
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Luytiy on the job [note the mud]:
Luytiy post-brushing [after all the mud in the yard dried up]:
Luytiy and Huna sharing the sentry spot:
Miss Mash with Ahi's "Bad Cuz":
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Masha is proving how crazy she is! Ahi's toy? :-P She has such cute eyes.
Masha is adorable.
And Masha is getting big, and getting her black color...
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