Approximately 20 dog breeds, including Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers, Schnauzers, and many others, currently undergo ear cropping as an elective procedure. The majority or the entire flappy part of the ear will be surgically removed during this treatment. Taping may be used to educate the ear cartilage into the proper position after the surgery. For these breeds, the operation was historically put into practice. However, it is now only seen as cosmetic, and most nations have outlawed it. There are a few things to think about before getting your puppy’s ears cropped, even if it’s still legal in most of North America.
What does it cost to crop a dog’s ears?
If you do decide to have your dog’s ears cropped, the surgery can be very expensive. Usually, the cost is between $150 and $600. However, don’t pick your surgeon solely on the basis of cost. If you want your dog’s ears cut, it is best to visit a reputed facility.
As with other operations, you should pick a facility that provides the greatest service. Make sure your clinic maintains exceptional hygiene, has a friendly staff, and utilizes the best surgical tools and techniques.
About $300 is a reasonable price for ear cropping in the US. But once more, this varies from state to state. The breed of your dog is another element that could alter the price. Some clinics will provide several breed-specific packages, especially for those dogs that frequently undergo the treatment.
In addition to the procedure itself, there will be costs associated with confinement, post-surgery drugs, and other expenses. This is sometimes included in the package by clinics, although it’s not always the case. If the recovery is not included in the asking price, you should expect to pay an additional $50 to $100.
Canine ear cropping cause harm?
In America and several European nations, the practice of ear cropping is legal. While in the UK, a growth in celebrities who own cropped dogs has led to the cropped look becoming normalized and even glamorized. In fact, pictures of cropped dogs are frequently used in advertisements, as well as on apparel and other products.
Dr. Samantha Gaines, a dog care expert with the RSPCA, says:
The practice of ear clipping is painful and unneeded. Contrary to what some breeders may assert, clipping a dog’s ears has no positive effects on the animal. Both immediately and over time, it may be harmful to their welfare, behavior, and health.
Dogs’ ears are cut for one and only one reason: to create a particular “look.” Simply put, it gives them a harder, more commanding appearance. Breeds like Dobermans used to have their ears clipped as puppies and then splinted, or taped to pieces of wood or cardboard, to force their ears to grow upright rather than droopy. Nowadays, it’s common to see breeds like American bulldogs without their entire ears.
Dogs go through this grueling process just to give them a particular appearance. It’s entirely up to the owner’s preferences and might have a long-term impact on the dog.
A dog’s ears being cropped has any advantages?
In order to change their shape and, in some cases, make a naturally drooping ear stand upright, some dog breeds in the United States typically have their ears cropped short with a blade or scissors. Depending on the breed and body type, cropping is done when dogs are between 6 and 12 weeks old.
condition. In larger breeds, the ears are taped, bandaged, or placed in other positions following surgery to encourage an upright position. 1,2,3 Studies that are well-controlled and investigate the effects of
Dogs’ ears cannot be cropped. Case studies, however, provide evidence that some dangers related to the
Welfare concerns: risks
overall sedation Cropping should always be done when completely unconscious, which carries risks of its own. 4
Following Surgery Care
After surgery, stretching, re-taping, re-bandaging, and other manipulations may cause some discomfort in dogs. Some will require bandaging or taping their ears up for days to months; during this time, they may be kept apart from other dogs.
Issues that could arise
Cropped ears are susceptible to infection, just like any incision. Cropped ears may also be unable to stand or have a distorted shape or position, which could require additional surgery. 5,6,7
Reasons given for the practice
Animal Advantages According to some theories, dogs with trimmed ears are less likely to get ear canal infections. Although the presence of a heavy hanging ear has been associated with the development of several serious infections8, there is little proof that cropping effectively prevents or treats these infections. Additionally, it has been asserted that cropping prevents future ear damage9 or enhances hearing, but there is no proof to support either of these assertions.
Human Advantages
In security or guard dogs, cropped ears generate an alert expression that may help a purebred breed stand out from the crowd.
10
Legislation and acceptability
Owners who desire to crop are encouraged to do so by the American Kennel Club, which states that “ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as stipulated in particular breed standards, are permissible practices vital to defining and conserving breed character and/or increasing excellent health.” 11 However, dogs with cropped ears are not permitted to compete in UKKC competitions. 12
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the Australian Veterinary Association, and numerous other veterinary associations condemn cosmetic cropping in addition to the AVMA.
15 The viewpoints of many veterinarians vary (e.g., letters 9,16,17,18).
Cropping is currently forbidden in Australasia, the majority of European and Scandinavian nations, and the United Kingdom, where it has been considered objectionable for more than a century19.
Why are bullies given ear croppings?
Most people imagine fighting dogs or aggressive dogs maintained on heavy chain leads when they think about ear cropping on American bullies. The media actively promotes this stereotype. The majority of pitbull owners in America desire the best for their four-legged companions and discover that ear cropping has several advantages.
Most dog owners do not seek augmentations for simply cosmetic reasons, and it is quite difficult to find a veterinarian who is prepared to perform such treatments.
A dog’s life is mostly improved through augmentations, which are carried out by qualified experts.
Ear clipping is encouraged by dog kennel clubs all around the world in order to standardize. The goal of American bulldog ear clipping is not to portray the dog as fearsome or dangerous.
This notion is untrue. Most often, ear cropping is done to improve performance or to reduce the possibility of future medical problems, like ear infections.
Can you crop the ears of a six-month-old dog?
Not at all, no. An highly unpleasant cosmetic treatment, ear clipping. You would have a very difficult time locating a veterinarian who will perform this grueling aesthetic treatment on Pablo at his age because the discomfort is less when the puppy is younger.
Are dog ears cropped at PetSmart?
The cosmetic tail docking and ear cutting practices were terminated by Banfield, The Pet Hospital, which is frequently located inside of well-known pet retailers like Petsmarthas.
With more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians countrywide, Banfield, which has its headquarters in Portland, Oregon, is the biggest general veterinary practice in the country. In Orange County, there are at least 13 Banfield establishments.
According to USA Today, multiple attempts to criminalize the practice of tail docking and ear cutting have been made in a number of states, most recently in Illinois, New York, and Vermont. Such laws have been opposed by the American Kennel Club.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has spoken out against them, claiming that “as prescribed in certain breed standards, (they) are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries, and that “any inference that these procedures are cosmetic and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.
“According to Karen Faunt, vice president for medical quality development at Banfield, “We have determined it is in the best interest of the Pets we treat, as well as the whole practice, to quit conducting these unneeded cosmetic treatments.” “Our objective is that this new medical strategy will assist in reducing and ultimately doing away with these cosmetic treatments.
Ear cropping and tail docking have always been done in accordance with breed standards. There is, however, scant scientific proof that these aesthetic operations are advantageous for dogs.
The American Veterinary Medical Association strengthened its position on tail docking and ear cropping in 2008, emphasizing the idea that these procedures should only be carried out for therapeutic or preventive care.
How long does it take for an ear crop to heal?
The floppy section of the ear is precisely shaped-cut while the patient is under general anesthesia. Only a professional veterinarian with experience in this operation should do the surgery. When puppies’ ears are clipped, they are typically between 6 and 12 weeks old.
After surgery, the ears must be “attached to a hard surface and taped until entirely healed” in order to recover with the necessary upright accuracy. Usually, bandages need to be replaced every week. The whole procedure may take 4 to 8 weeks.
At what age do you cut your ears?
A general anesthetic is required for the surgical operation of ear clipping. This operation is only cosmetic and is not required for your dog’s overall health. There is no assurance regarding the operation because this is cosmetic surgery. Included in this are the size and whether the ears will stand. We promise that the procedure will be performed to the best of our abilities and in accordance with all medical guidelines.
The ideal age for ear cropping is between 8 and 12 weeks of age. You should make plans to get in touch with our office a few weeks before this age range to schedule your consultation because consultations and surgeries often fill up four weeks in advance. Prior to surgery, a consultation appointment is necessary. Many breeds cannot be done after 12 weeks since the healing is significantly more challenging and the ears are unlikely to stand. The kind of crop your pet wears will depend on its eventual size, weight, head shape, and overall body conformation. If you don’t choose a style for the ears, the doctor will crop them in the breed’s typical manner with the length and width he or she thinks would look best when the dog is fully grown.
After the procedure, most of the aftercare is your responsibility. You must strictly adhere to the instructions in order to achieve success; otherwise, you run the danger of the ears not standing or leaving scars. It requires a least of a 4-6 week commitment from you and frequently necessitates a change in your way of life. For longer-cropped breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes, the time commitment can range up to a year of regular care. Every 2–7 days until the ears start to stand, the puppy will need to be checked out and have its ears posted. For Doberman Pinschers, it typically takes 6–10 weeks for the ears to start to stand, while some dogs require posting at 6 months or older. When considering having your puppy’s ears clipped, please bear this in mind and plan appropriately (vacation, holidays, work schedules, etc). It will take longer for larger breeds and longer crop types than for smaller breeds with shorter ear crops. You won’t see the doctor when you go back to the clinic for the re-wrapping and suture removal. You must schedule a visit before you arrive with the technician, ideally on the day we advise. Although scheduling can be challenging at times, we need the right people on hand to wrap your puppy’s ears. Surgery for ear cropping is planned for Mondays or Fridays. We don’t perform ear cropping with lasers.
Important Things to Note:
- Your puppy MUST be on a vaccination schedule with confirmation of vaccinations, and he or she MUST be parasite-free (fleas & worms).
- B. The most challenging period for you and your dog is the first 7–10 days. As they start to recover, the ears start to itch. In order to prevent the pup from damaging the ears during this time, you must be very vigilant.
- C. The ears need to be taken care of most of all, and you need to come back for follow-up appointments as soon as we advise. When we have performed ear cropping in the past, failures (not standing or taking a lot longer than usual to stand) have typically occurred because the owner disregarded our recommendations. Let’s work together and do it well because you are paying a lot of money and the puppy will need to wear the ears for the rest of its life.
- We strongly advise you familiarize yourself with ear posting techniques. It is beneficial for you to have the knowledge necessary to act if your puppy’s ears need treatment on the weekends or after hours, even when we are posting ears for you.
- If possible, please bring a picture of the crop you want to receive to your consultation. The image should clearly show the desired ear style for your pet from the front, in a head-on position.
Canine hearing improve with chopped ears?
Ear clipping is now done purely for aesthetic purposes. However, the practice was once carried out for useful purposes. Boxers, for instance, were frequently employed as watchdogs. They actually had better hearing after having their ears cropped, which boosted their work output. To prevent them from being chewed by rats or other prey, the ears of the hunting dog known as the Brussels Griffon were trimmed. Additionally, ear cropping protected hunting dogs’ ears from harm when they became tangled in thorns or brambles.
How much does getting your ears cropped cost?
Cropped ears are a procedure that makes the ears of some breeds appear alert and upright. Only a qualified veterinarian with the owner’s commitment to the pet’s post-op care and any necessary aftercare can perform the procedure. When the puppy is about 8 and 10 weeks old, the dog’s ears are typically cropped.
General anesthesia is always used for this surgery. There are many nerve terminals in both ears. In other words, the dog would be in excruciating pain if there was no anaesthetic. The pinna, sometimes referred to as the floppy section of the ears, is removed in order to do the cropping.
How Much Does Ear Cropping Cost?
Additionally, ear cropping may be very expensive. It might cost anywhere from $150 to over $600. I wouldn’t advise choosing the absolute cheapest veterinarian you can find because the cost is influenced by more than just the veterinarian’s quality (rent, staff, equipment, etc.)
Around $300 would be a reasonable price, though it also depends on where you are. Some veterinarians will also include extra fees, such as those for post-operative drugs, or they could even offer to keep the dog for a day or two following the procedure.
List of Dog Breeds with Cropped Ears
Although many breeds of dog owners clip their puppies’ ears, the American Kennel Club and the general public allow trimmed ears for the following breeds:
