More about ear cropping...

• What is ear cropping?

Ear cropping is the removal of part or all of the pinnae or auricles, the external visible flap of the ear, of an animal; it sometimes involves taping to make the ears pointy, such as in a Doberman Pinscher. This procedure is usually performed between week 8 and 12 of age, which is the typical length of time after birth that a person adopts a puppy.

​

• History

There is quite a bit of current speculation as to the history of this practice but it is generally believed that ear cropping was performed for safety reasons to protect a dog’s long, floppy ears from injury. This was especially true with dogs within agricultural communities that needed to protect livestock from prey.

 

A long ear can be bitten or torn in a fight or caught in fencing or other objects around a farm. Hunting dogs that came into contact with brush and killed prey were (and still are) in danger of ear injury. Historically, dog fighting was socially acceptable, and owners would crop the ears of dogs used to fight. In some situations, like agriculture and hunting, dogs are still used to these ends. Some dog breeds are prone to ear infections and other ear-related maladies and ear cropping is thought to decrease this tendency. However, this line of thinking is highly debatable.

 

• Which breeds are candidates?

The most common breeds that undergo ear cropping are Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Bully breeds, some Mastiff breeds, Cane-Corsos, Beaucerons, Manchester terriers, Schnauzers and others. Many of us are accustomed to the sleek, clean lines of a Doberman or Great Dane with cropped ears; it’s part of the desired look. Breeders of these lines will often keep up the practice of ear cropping to maintain expectations.

 

• To crop or not to crop?

Ear cropping is not necessary for the health of your dog. Are you a breeder? Do you want a show dog? Are you purchasing a dog for the classic look of the breed? If so, then pursuing cosmetic ear cropping by a licensed veterinarian with a specialty in surgical care is something to consider.