Ear cropping procedures are often a topic of much controversy. It is a common miscomputation that this is a painful procedure for the pup however, in fact, a professionally done ear cropping in the right stage of the ear's cartilage development is on par with any other basic procedure. The reason this procedure is often perceived negatively is a result of "home croppings" in which the dog owner performs an amateur medical procedure, often with no anesthetics, which is, very, very painful for the pup and I consider it to be nothing short of animal abuse.
Properly done ear croppings have no negative health risks over natural ears (they do not become infected more easily). On the same note there are not any health benefits and it is simply a matter of personal preference on the behalf of the dog owner. I have owned dogs with both natural and cropped ears and loved them all the same, however I believe cropped ears give them a more sleek and clean cut look that amplifies some of there natural attributes.
Here is a quick rundown of a professional ear cropping.
Usually when a dog has their ears cropped they are taken to the vet early in the morning and the procedure takes place that morning. The pup stays at the vet's office the remainder of the day and that night. The next morning as soon as the vet is opened you can go and pick up your pup. You are given pain medication, which is given twice a day for varying time periods. Everyone of my dogs that has had the procedure has come home just as happy and playful as the day I took them in. After 2 weeks you go back to the vet and they remove the stitches.
This is Legacy, Just a few days after the procedure and as you can see she is in no pain.
I don’t want to make people think that there is no pain involved, however in my experience the dogs behavior and reaction (post-procedure) is on par with other surgeries that are perceived as “basic” in the dog world such as spay/neuter procedures. If the procedure were too painful then the dog would become head shy; A trait that I have never seen in a properly cropped dog. All procedures involving anesthesia need to be taken seriously and in the case of ear crop procedures, the risks may be increased due to the young age at which it usually occurs.
It is also a common misconception that crop procedures are preformed for “fighting purposes”, however this could not be farther from the truth. For the same reason, many hog hunters of today prefer un-cropped, dog fighters of the past actually preferred natural ears; because of the protection they provide the inner ear. I have always said that cropping is completely personal preference on the behalf of the owner. People need to be aware of the facts surrounding this procedure. I personally prefer the cropped look, which can be advantageous or negative depending on what the plans are for the dog. My dogs do not participate in any specific activities that directly pose a threat to the inner ear, therefore keeping their ears natural to protect the inner ear from hogs, etc., is not a concern. Just because I prefer the cropped look on most dogs does not mean that I am trying to persuade others to have the procedure preformed; As I have said before I wish only to dissuade the belief that it is a cruel act and differentiate between a professional crop and the home done procedures. I appreciate any responses, both for and against, because it helps to better inform others on this subject.
Here is a summarized list to help those whom are trying to decide whether or not to crop. -Cropping is a Personal Preference -It does not pose any post procedure health benefits or disadvantages for the average owner -It is not preformed for fighting purposes, in-fact quite the opposite -It can pose a threat to dogs, which participate in activities such as hog hunting, in which the inner ear needs protection from the dangers of the sport -Cropping, like any other procedure utilizing anesthesia, has it’s inherit risks which can be enhanced due the young age most crop jobs are preformed -The cropped look can be advantageous or negative in the show ring depending on the venue and even the particular judge -Having your dogs ears cropped by a medical professional does not mean that you are less of an owner or do not love your dog as much as those whom prefer natural ears -Having your dogs ears cropped in some guys backyard or by yourself is nothing short of animal cruelty and you have no right to own or even be around such beautiful creatures. Please take in all these facts and make a rational decision based on your needs and plans for your dog. And as you do not wish to be judged for your decision to own a bully breed don’t pass judgments on others based on there decision to crop or not.
Ear cropping, Ear Trimming ,or cosmetic otoplasty, is performed on the ears of certain breeds of dogs to meet breed specifications. This procedure is done on Schnauzers, Miniature Pinschers, Dobermans, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Boston Terriers and Great Danes. However, if you own one of these breeds, you do not have to have this surgery preformed.
There is some controversy about this procedure because it is viewed as an unnecessary surgery for cosmetic purposes only. Veterinarians in Britain do not perform this surgery at all and the procedure is not taught in many veterinary teaching institutions. We offer this surgery because it is our belief that it strengthens the human-animal bond for our pets to look a certain way. Many of these breeds will look just as handsome without having their ears cut. However, I’m sure that many of you will agree that Dobermans and Great Danes are two breeds that have a completely different appearance based upon whether their ears are trimmed.
Regardless of the trimming standard, all ears cannot be trimmed alike. Variations are justified in any breed, and shape and length of the ear vary with the sex and conformation of the individual dog. The type of ear trim performed here is a ‘straight’ cut following the natural curve of the ear. This hospital does not perform ‘show cuts’. We encourage you to discuss with the Doctor or Technician your preferences on ear width and length prior to surgery.
· Pit Bulls 3/5 of ear left (this is not a ‘fighting’ cut)
· Boxer 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
· Doberman ¾ of ear left
· Great Dane ¾ to 7/8 of ear left
· Min Pin 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
· Schnauzer 2/3 of ear left
· Boston Terrier ¾ to full trim
General Considerations
The surgery is performed at 12 weeks of age. Sometimes the surgery can be done at a later age, however, the chance of the ear successfully standing after surgery decreases with age. Even when performed at 12 weeks of age there is no guarantee that both ears will stand erect after surgery. Surgery only shapes the ear. Whether or not the ear stands up well has to do with the strength of the ear cartilage. At this age, the cartilage can usually be trained to stand erect.
All puppies having this procedure performed need to be in general good health and current on vaccinations. If a puppy is malnourished, heavily parasitized, and in poor condition, the surgery will be delayed until the health of the puppy is improved. The stress of anesthesia and surgery may suppress the puppy’s immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection.
Post Operative Care
Many ears fail to stand because of improper after-care. Scarring of the cut edge can produce undesirable effects such as contraction of the ear margin or unsightly blemishes. Immediately after surgery your pet will have its ears taped to an aluminum can or a foam block. Sutures will be removed in two weeks. Ideally, the ears will stay in position on the apparatus until then. If, however, they do not remain taped in position—please do not tape your pet’s ears at home; instead, bring your pet to us. If the tape is applied too tightly, it can interfere with blood supply and potentially cause part of the ear to die.
The number of ear wraps needed for the ears to stand varies based upon breed and individual cartilage strength. Three additional ear racks (wraps) are included with the price of your pet’s surgery. There will be an extra charge for additional ear wraps. Most puppies will need to be sedated for the ear wrap procedure. These ear wraps are usually needed from three to six weeks but may be necessary for as long as three to four months in some pets.
Your pet will be given an injection for pain control at the time of surgery. Your pet will also be sent home with the following medication—anti-inflammatory for pain control, sedative to keep the ear wraps in place, and antibiotics to help prevent infection.
Potential Complications
The biggest potential complication is one or both ears failing to stand. Other potential complications include moist dermatitis, irritation of the skin secondary to the tape adhesive, ear infection, scarring and immune suppression.
Please read this handout carefully and discuss any questions and concerns with the Doctor.
Do not attempt it yourself because it may be dangerous & cruel. It is illegal to crop a dog's ears in the U. S. unless you are a licensed vet. In some states, ear cropping is completely illegal!
Cropping the Ears
This article is for historical and information purposes. Do not attempt this at home! It is illegal in most states.
By Joseph L. Colby from " The American Pit Bull Terrier"
The cropping of dog’s ears is prohibited by the laws in some states. A heavy fine is imposed on anyone convicted of doing so. Some states even prohibit anyone owning a dog with cropped ears. For example, a fancier in one of the eastern states was hailed into court for having in his possession a dog with cropped ears. It was not until he had gone into the expense of getting a lawyer and proving that he had purchased the dog from a breeder in a state that had no law enforcing the cropping of ears, that the charges were dropped.
It is not advisable for breeders to crop the ears of the American Pit Bull Terrier because many prospective buyers prefer the natural ear and will not buy a dog or pup with cropped ears. It is not practical to crop the ears of the fighting dog because it leaves too much of the inside exposed standard for the breed does not compel the ear to be cropped, we do not encourage it.
However, for those who have a fancy for cropped ears a few hints and methods for cropping are given as follows: The best time to crop the ears on a pup is from four to eight months. Within this time the ears will attain their natural posture, giving a better idea of the style most suitable for the dog. They will be much more firm and strong than the ears of a younger pup. If possible give an anesthetic, getting advice on using it from a veterinary. If your crop the ears in the summertime, be sure to keep your pup in quarters free from flies. If this precaution is used the ears will heal up quicker because if the flies bother the pup he is liable to ruin the job by trying to rid himself of the flies that get on his sore ears.
The easiest way to crop the ears is to get a board & feet long and 18 inches wide. Make a hole 4 ½ inches in diameter in the middle of the board six inches in from one end. Nail this board firm to any cast off table, wooden packing case or better still, make a frame especially for the cropping board. Be sure the hole protrudes out over the frame or whatever the cropping board is attached to. Use your own judgment about the height you want it. Take five strips of cloth (similar to bed sheeting) one yard long and four inches wide. Make a slip loop and adjust it just above the dew claws on all four feet. Stretch the pup out in length as much as possible and nail the strips to the cropping board. Take the strip you have left ad make a slip loop over the pup’s muzzle just below his eyes. Cross it under his throat. Bring it up and tie it fairly tight on the back of his neck. Put his nose down through the hole. Have some one stand alongside to hold his head down firm in the hole. Get in front of the pup and hold his ears straight up pulling the ears together over his head. Hold both ears with the left hand taking a pair of sharp scissors and snip both ears evenly about the height you want them, preferably one and one-half to two inches up from the head. Let one ear go. Then cut down diagonally from the place where you sniped almost two-thirds of the way. Then start from the bottom, keeping in line with the ear partially cut and go up to where you left off. Have a basin of warm water with a strong solution of Hexol or any other disinfectant in it within your reach. Take some cotton and wash the ear off. Trim off any ragged edges. Pinch the ear, where any blood spurts with your finger tips. Then perform the same operation on the other ear. Wash both ears good with the disinfectant and cut your pup loose. Put him in clean quarters and leave him alone. Look in every half hour for a couple of hours to see that he is not bleeding too freely. If he is, pinch the ear where it is spurging out to stop the flow of blood. Do not wash the ears any more, but put some carbolated Vaseline the next day and every day for a week. Scabs will form and drop off until finally the ear will be well. If you notice nay adhesions forming, pull on the ears to take them out. This prevents the ear from healing up with kinks in it and being the ear from healing up with kinks in it and helps the ear to stand erect.
In cropping ears, I have found that by putting wads of cotton inside the ear it prevents the blood from getting too far inside the ear which is very irritable for the pup.
By all means do not get excited or nervous while cropping ears. It does no good and may be the cause of ruining a good job. Your pup will not die from the operation. There is no age limit in cropping dogs’ ears, but it is not advisable to crop a grown dog’s ears unless they have been torn, cut, or injured.
A Bull Terrier's ears should not be cropped before the dog is six months old, and it is even better to wait until he is eight months. By this time the muscles in the ears have become well developed and the cropped ear will stand erect. Especially is this so where a high cut is desired. We give below Mr. F. G Henry's method of cropping a young dog's ears: Take a carpenter's saw trestle and on this nail a board about four to six inches wide with a hole cut in the board about two inches in from end of board, large enough to let the pup or dog's head in up to his eyes. Nail this board on tight with the end with hole in it extending just beyond end of trestle Put your pup astride the trestle. Put his nose in hole in board and tie him down tight with strap or any good strong cloth. You then have your pup securely tied and with his ears ready to commence on Get in front of him and pull both ears up straight above his head, with the points of ears perfectly even Hold them with your left hand and take a pair of sharp scissors. Niche them both at one cut as low down on ear as you want to leave them, usually about 2 to 2 1/4 inches on a three months old pup Let go of one ear and cut the other ear off straight across from where you have it notched. Then start at top of ear and cut diagonally down about two-thirds of way of ear with one cut. Have your assistant hold this piece up about its natural position and start at bottom or butt of ear and cut up to where you left off. Trim off all rough edges, put some tannic acid on cut to stop bleeding and go ahead and cut other ear in same way. Now untie your pup, put him in a dark or quiet place and let him alone. Look in at him once in awhile and if an artery is spurting pinch it and put some more tannic acid on that spot; but if he is just bleeding a little don't bother him and let him be as quiet as possible, and then you can wash him up next day, but don't wash ears Let blood dry on them as it helps to stiffen them. In a week or ten days the scab or crust on ears will crack and start to fall off. Then take a little Vaseline and soften scabs and start to pull ears up with thumb and fingers. This will keep them from curling. If the ears are inclined to drop down, take a piece of old kid glove and cut two strips about two inches long and three-fourths of an inch wide. Get some silicate of soda and put this on pieces of kid glove and one end of this on hairy side of one ear. Hold it a minute until it sets, then pull the other ear over and stick it on the other end and hold that a few minutes and it will dry, and then you have the ears fastened to each other over the top of head Put the other piece of kid on top of this, sticking it on the inside or smooth side of ear. Let this remain for a week or two weeks and on removing you will find that ears are all straightened up fine with a little pulling. Silicate of soda is the only thing I have ever found that will hold, as the heat of body softens all kinds of glue while heat hardens the above. 39 40
A dog never gets so old you can't cut his ears I have trimmed the ears on lots of dogs from four to six years old. In cutting ears, take your time and don't get excited. It is only a short job at best and you need not be afraid of dog bleeding to death during operation. By the use of the Ear-Cropping Clamp, sold by "The Dog Fancier," Battle Creek, Mich., a quicker, more stylish and more satisfactory ear-trim can be made. Use the clamp, and employ a razor to cut with, instead of scissors. By making a pattern from a piece of cardboard, both ears can be cropped exactly alike. Bull Terriers should never have their tails docked.
