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.
To improve their hearing: FALSE.
Different breeds have had their ears cropped for a variety of reasons, but most notably for hunting, fighting, and working purposes. It was believed that cropping the ears of several herding and livestock guardian breeds would enhance their hearing. This kind of thinking is incorrect.
To prevent ear infections: FALSE.
Different breeds, most notably those used for hunting, fighting, and working, have had their ears cropped for a variety of reasons. In order to increase their hearing, some herding and livestock guardian breeds have their ears clipped. This justification is incorrect.
For Intimidation:
Some hunting dogs had their ears cropped in order to keep their target from capturing them easily, whether they were rats, bears, cats, or boars. This was also believed to be advantageous for guard dog breeds protecting livestock, preventing wolves and coyotes from having an easy time capturing the dog. This was also the rationale behind cropping fighting and battle dogs. Ear injuries are common, especially in dog fights, and anyone who has ever had a dog can attest that they bleed like stuck pigs and are a common site for damage.
Why not dock your dog’s ears?
Dogs aren’t as fortunate as humans in being able to refuse aesthetic surgery. We make the decisions for them, and frequently those decisions involve cruel, pointless operations like ear-cropping and tail-docking. Scrupulous veterinarians execute brutal, disfiguring procedures that cause dogs enormous agony in order to provide some breeds so-called “desirable features.
When a dog is only 8 to 12 weeks old, their ears are typically clipped. The trauma of the surgery might have a significant psychological effect on the maturing pup at this point in their development. It might be excruciating for the dog to have their ears repeatedly taped to make them stand up straight after being clipped.
The tails of puppies are typically docked when they are only a few days old. In most cases, they do not even receive anesthetics to relieve the agony. Compassionate veterinarians are against the willful removal of bodily parts that are necessary for expression, balance, and communication. Dogs use their ears and tails to communicate with their human companions and other canines.
It is ridiculous to do medically pointless operations that only serve to maintain the stereotype of dogs as fashion accessories. Breeders who fear that “their breed will be “ruined” if it does not uphold the image passed down by parent breed groups decades ago also promote this image through the American Kennel Club’s dog beauty pageants.
Many European countries have outlawed these operations because they are so brutal. For instance, ear-cropping was prohibited by British kennel organizations a century ago, and cosmetic tail-docking was prohibited in the U.K. in 1993.
Sadly, some vets still think it’s acceptable to mutilate a dog whose owner is ready to pay for it. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “tail docking and ear clipping are not medically necessary nor beneficial to the patient. As with any surgical operations, these procedures come with inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. They also induce discomfort and agony. Therefore, before consenting to conduct these surgeries, doctors should talk with dog owners about these issues.
What advantages do ear cropping offer?
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.
Why are the ears of pit bulls clipped?
According to legend, ear cropping first appeared in ancient Rome, when dog battles frequently resulted in ear injuries. The ears were cut so they couldn’t be broken as readily. Since ears are simple targets, they were frequently pulled off or bit off, causing the dog great suffering and making them lose the battle. Even though dogfighting is prohibited in many places, the practice is nonetheless carried out today for this reason.
Additionally, working dogs that protected animals or pursued game had their ears cropped. Cropping the dog’s ears was a technique to protect them from harm if they had to confront a predator.
Additionally, cropping is supposed to help dogs avoid ear infections, albeit there is no evidence to support this claim. Ear infections can affect dogs with or without clipped ears.
Why are American bully ears cut?
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.
Is trimming a Doberman’s ears cruel?
When the practice first started, it was carried out for practical purposes. The Doberman served as a watchdog. Hearing abilities were improved by having ears that were erect. This was a crucial characteristic for a watchdog. Nowadays, Dobermans’ ears are typically cropped to meet show requirements or just for the owner’s taste.
Dogs can chose to have their ears cropped. It’s a decision. It is only carried out at the dog owner’s discretion and has no recognized health benefits. The Doberman breed has traditionally had its ears cropped in order to provide a certain appearance. In some nations, clipping your ears is prohibited. This common practice is growing more divisive even though it is neither outlawed nor regulated in the US. However, several states have not yet passed legislation outlawing ear cropping.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is against ear cropping in dogs, despite the American Kennel Club (AKCassertion )’s that it is essential to defining and maintaining breed character in some breeds. They think the procedure’s hazards are needless because it is only aesthetic in nature.
Less people are now doing ear clipping. There aren’t many veterinary schools that teach it. Dog owners are becoming more aware of the contentious nature of the surgical operation, and fewer vets are willing to conduct the process. If your Doberman participates, you should be aware that the AKC claims that dogs with uncropped ears and tails have an equal chance of winning dog shows.
Should I trim the ears on my pitbull?
Pitbull ear clipping results in needless misery for the animal. This surgical modification serves only the owner’s wish for the desired aesthetic. An ethical owner wouldn’t subject a puppy to this surgery.
The procedure of cutting a pitbull’s ears has no real health advantages.
Owners assert that it reduces ear infections and improves hearing, but there is no proof to back up these assertions.
Ear cropping has numerous health dangers as well as no health advantages.
Infections that can be fatal or more surgeries that end in the whole removal of your dog’s outer ear can happen from botched operations. Your dog might experience excruciating discomfort as a result of these issues.
A puppy’s injuries from a big operation at such a young age may leave permanent scars. They could experience behavioral problems and develop an excessive fear of their owners.
Finally, erect ears also contribute to the unfavorable stereotype that surrounds breeds of the Pitbull type.
It is difficult to think that ear clipping is still endorsed given all of the drawbacks that it has.
According to the American Kennel Club, the breed standard includes the cropped ears. Unfortunately, conformation judges are bound by breed standards. People may do this in order to win, docking their tails or clipping their ears.
Puppy tail docking: Is it painful?
Given that puppies’ neural systems are still developing, tail docking proponents assert that the procedure does not hurt or inconvenience the animal. This is untrue; a dog’s fundamental neurological system is fully formed at birth. Evidence suggests that young dogs’ pain thresholds are comparable to those of adult dogs. Cutting through muscles, tendons, up to seven pairs of extremely sensitive nerves, and connections to the bone and cartilage is required when docking a puppy’s tail. The majority of the time, tail docking is done without anesthesia or pain medication (pain relief). When the tail is cut off and while the wound is being stitched, puppies repeatedly make severe screeching vocalizations, showing that they are in great discomfort. While the incision heals, inflammation and tissue damage also contribute to persistent pain. Additionally, this unneeded procedure carries a risk of infection or other issues.
The dog may have unneeded, preventable, long-term chronic pain and misery after having their tail docked. For instance, when a persistent neuroma develops at the site of the amputation. Painful neuromas are frequent.
Is ear cropping prohibited in the US?
The United States government, unlike many other nations, has not enacted any legislation governing the practice of cropping a dog’s ears. The majority of rules governing how animals are treated as pets (as opposed to as livestock or research subjects) are left up to the individual states.
Notably, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies notes that ear cropping is prohibited in all of Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavian nations. Although cropping is controversial internationally, the Canadian and American Kennel Clubs support it and may even mandate it for show dogs.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) rejects suggestions that cropping ears helps to prevent medical problems in dogs, and in some pedigree breeds, the practice appears to be largely for aesthetic reasons.
