Pros – The Arguments for Ear Cropping
- Improved Sound Localization. Many argue that there are no examples of dogs in the wild who have floppy ears due to...
- The Traditional Doberman Look. The Doberman breed was created in the 1890s by a German tax collector, night watchman,...
- Less Ear Infections. One of the most common underlying causes for an ear infection is...
Is ear cropping becoming less common?
Vets say both procedures -- especially ear cropping -- are becoming less common. “I’ve worked with nearly 40 animal doctors during my career, and I know maybe two who perform crops,” Roark says.
Is ear cropping medically necessary for dogs?
Ear cropping in modern times is almost never medically necessary. There are a few cases where a veterinarian might advise that it is, and usually, this is only in the case of a severely damaged ear from an accident, dog attack, or medical condition. Many argue that putting your dog through a surgery that they don’t medically need is immoral.
How long does it take to recover from ear cropping surgery?
After surgery, the ears must be “posted” to a hard surface and taped until entirely healed for them to recover in the desired upright position. Typically, bandages need replacement once a week. The entire ear cropping process may take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.
Is ear cropping painful for Dobermans?
Many breeders and professional handlers of Dobermans will say that ear cropping is a fairly painless and relatively minor procedure, however, there’s an equal number of advocates who claim it’s painful and cruel to the animal.
Is there any benefits to ear cropping?
Ear cropping is painful and completely unnecessary. Despite what some breeders will claim, cropping a dog's ears does not benefit them in any way. It can be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare in the short-term and in the long-term.
Do vets recommend ear cropping?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) does recommend against ear cropping, but no state has explicitly banned it and the practice is still widespread (though thankfully getting rarer).
Is it cruel to crop ears?
The American Veterinary Medical Association states that “ear-cropping and tail-docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection.
What are the cons to ear cropping?
Cropping a puppy's ears runs the risk of infection. Dogs with cropped ears have the potential to suffer from increased pain and bleeding. If a procedure isn't done properly, there is also a low risk of amputation becoming necessary in some severe cases.
What is the point of cropping dog ears?
Ear cropping was implemented in different breeds for different reasons, most prominently hunting, fighting, and working breeds. Some herding and livestock guardian breeds had their ears cropped because it was thought to improve their hearing.
Why do people cut Pitbulls ears?
Pitbull ear cropping was common in animals used for hunting or fighting to minimize the risk of injury to the ears during fights. Ears were considered easy targets for the dog's opponent.
Should I crop my pitbulls ears?
There are no true health benefits associated with the process of pitbull ear clipping. Owners have claimed that it leads to fewer ear infections and improved hearing, but there is no evidence to support these claims. There are no health benefits and plenty of health risks associated with ear cropping.
Are docked tails cruel?
However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) maintain that tail docking is painful and may negatively affect the development of a puppy's vulnerable nervous system. Additionally, poorly performed docking can lead to chronic pain.
Is tail docking illegal?
There are currently 21 states that regulate tail docking in some form. Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Washington prohibit the docking of a horse's tail. Connecticut, Michigan and South Carolina prohibit tail docking of a horse unless it is determined to be medically necessary by a licensed veterinarian.
Does cropping a dog's ears help with ear infections?
Ear cropping does not improve a dog's hearing or prevent ear infections. Many of the breeds that have their ears cropped, such as Dobermans and American bulldogs, are not those we would consider at an increased risk of infection.
Should I Crop American bully ears?
American bully ear cropping does not set out to make the dog look menacing or create an image of a fierce dog. This idea is a myth. Mostly, ear cropping is for performance enhancement or to decrease the likelihood of medical issues in the future, such as ear infections.
How much does ear cropping cost?
If you do decide that ear cropping is for your dog, the procedure can be quite costly. The price typically ranges between $150 to $600. But don't just choose your surgeon based on price alone. It is best to go to a reputable clinic to get your dog's ears cropped.
What is the point of ear cropping?
There isn't one. Ear cropping doesn't come with any benefits, and it's done to fit a breed standard enforced by the American Kennel Club, breeders,...
Is my dog still a member of its breed if I don't crop its ears?
A Boxer is still a Boxer even if you don't crop its ears. The fact that your dog isn't a member of its breed if you don't conform to breed standard...
Am I a bad dog owner if I crop its ears?
Your preference for aesthetics does not make you a bad dog owner that loves your dog any less than the rest of us. Before you take the plunge and b...
The Emergence Of Ear Cropping
Ear cropping is reported to have started as a German tradition for no other purpose than to make the dog appear fierce.
The Painful Truth Behind Ear Cropping Procedure
The unnecessary “mutilation” of a crucial part of the dog’s anatomy is the most distressing aspect of ear cropping.
Implications Of Ear Cropping
When a dog’s ear is cropped, a variety of problems can arise, ranging from communication to infection, all of which can lead to an ear cropping gone wrong.
Why has ear cropping increased so dramatically?
Over the last year, there have been reports of a huge increase in the ear cropping of dogs.
FAQS
Ear cropping is a painful treatment. It is frequently performed on dogs while they are still puppies (8 weeks), and the recovery period is severe. Any dog with cropped ears has gone through pain and distress, as well as a possibly unpleasant recuperation process.
What are the benefits to cropping dog ears?
There aren’t any benefits to cropping dog ears other than conforming to breed standards. The procedure is surgical and is akin to human plastic surgery. However, if your passion is breeding and showing dogs, cropping their ears makes complete sense because they cannot compete without the alteration.
The Ear Cropping Debate
Most professionals in the dog world have their opinion on ear cropping. In 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association made it incredibly clear that they oppose ear-cropping for any reason that isn’t medical.
Cropping Interferes with Body Language
Not all breeds face alteration enforcement. For example, Golden Retrievers and Labradors do not require any surgical interference.
The Ear Cropping Argument
Those that advocate for ear cropping will often come up with benefits to the process, but there isn’t any science behind the reasoning.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Benefits to Cropping Dog Ears
There isn’t one. Ear cropping doesn’t come with any benefits, and it’s done to fit a breed standard enforced by the American Kennel Club, breeders, and other organizations.
A Long-Term Debate
Chances are, ear cropping will always be a debate among canine owners and professionals.
What breed of dog has cropped ears?
One of the most difficult decisions for you may relate to ear cropping. Some breeds of dogs through the ages have traditionally been recognized partly by the distinctive look of their head; cropped ears have become their trademark. Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes come to mind right away. And even many of the smaller breeds such as ...
When do dogs ears stop standing?
The time to really get at this, too, has long passed. Generally, if the ears aren't standing at 4 to 5 months of age they aren't going to stand erect. I wish I had a better solution for you.
Why won't my dog's ears stand up?
There are many reasons why this can occur, including: The cartilage within the pinna is too thin to support the weight of the ear. The ear crop was too long for the size of the ear. The ears are "set too low" on the dog's head. Scar tissue formed along the ear margin.
Can dogs have pinna ears?
In fact, some countries have gone as far as to ban the practice. The aspect of animal cruelty comes into play in that many people will argue that there is no medical , physical , environmental or cosmetic advantage for the dog to have the pinnas ...
Is cropping ears ethical?
They will state that the ear cropping is no different philosoph ically or ethically than any el ective surgery such as spaying and neutering or removing protruding dew claws. The fact is that ear infections are common in all sorts of breeds, whether they have cropped ears or not.
What is ear cropping?
Otoplasty, popularly known as ear cropping, is the process of surgically modifying the form of a dog's external ear. The surgery involves cutting and shaping the floppy part of the dog's ear called pinna. There are various ear cropping styles for different breeds.
Why crop dog ears?
However, there's no evidence to back up this claim. The AMVA, on the other hand, claims that a dog's dangling ears do not enhance the risk of ear infections.
Why do dogs ears drop?
It's because they thought moisture could be trapped inside a dog's ear canal if the ears are drooping. And it can lead to the growth of bacteria and infection.
Why do countries ban dog ears?
In fact, countries like UK and Australia ban this practice because animal rights activists believe it's unnecessary. Their law considers cropping dog ears a violation of the animal's rights. The American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA also opposes ear cropping solely for cosmetic purposes.
How to clean a dog's ears?
2. After about six to eight weeks, clean the dog's ears using the guide below: 1 Apply a few drops of a dog ear cleanser, cleaning solution, or hydrogen peroxide to your dog's ear. 2 Then, to disperse the solution, gently rub it into the ears. 3 Place a tampon or thick gauze to the outside of the ear — where it was trimmed. 4 It should absorb any extra cleaning agent while also helping to keep the ears stable. 5 To ensure its stability, wrap the gauze over both the ear and the base. 6 Repeat the step with the other ear once it's snug. 7 Check to see if the ears are in a natural, erect position. You're done once you've applied the wrapping tape.
How much does it cost to crop a dog's ears?
The price of cropping dog ears ranges from $150 to over $600. The factors that influence the price include the quality of vet, rent, staff and equipment, and the location. Some vets also charge additional costs for post-surgery medications and offer to admit the dog a day or two after the surgery.
How long does it take for a dog's ears to clean?
2. After about six to eight weeks, clean the dog's ears using the guide below: Apply a few drops of a dog ear cleanser, cleaning solution, or hydrogen peroxide to your dog's ear. Then, to disperse the solution, gently rub it into the ears. Place a tampon or thick gauze to the outside of the ear — where it was trimmed.
How old is a dog when they are cropped?
Cropping -- cutting off the floppy part of a dog’s ear -- is usually performed on anesthetized dogs between 6 and 12 weeks old. The ears are then taped to a hard surface for several weeks while they heal so they stay upright.
Do dogs get ear infections?
Research shows that at least 80 percent of dogs won’t get ear infections , “and the breeds that are most likely to get them, such as cocker spaniels and poodles, don’t get their ears docked,” Patterson-Kane says. Vets say both procedures -- especially ear cropping -- are becoming less common.
Does cropping your ears lower your chances of getting an infection?
Some owners believe ear cropping lowers the odds of infections. James Serpell, PhD, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that docking itself could be considered an injury.
