The strong evidence is that Pitbull ear cropping is a purely cosmetic procedure that can make these dogs appear more ferocious. Unfortunately, many people already think that Pitbulls are dangerous dogs, and causing them to look more intimidating does nothing to improve their public image. Today we are going to help you to understand Pitbull ear cropping. The practice of surgically cutting a puppy’s ears to give them an erect appearance. Looking at the reasons behind it, methods, and potential problems it can cause.
Contents
- Natural vs cropped ears
- How are dogs’ ears cropped?
- Advantages vs disadvantages
- Keeping your dog’s ears healthy
Natural Pitbull Puppy Ears
Pitbull puppies have drop ears that look similar to those of a Greyhound or Labrador puppy. They are naturally soft folded flaps that appear a little large for their head. This ear shape is known as rosebud. The name indicates an upward curl in the cartilage that slightly lifts the folded flap and gives them an adorable enquiring countenance. As a Pitbull puppy grows into their oversized ear flaps, their ears appear more in proportion to the size of their head.
Adult Pitbull Ears
As an adult, Pitbull ears typically stand up and curl over the top. Some have floppier ears than others, and the size and firmness can vary somewhat among the breeds. All dogs have a part of the ear known as the pinna. This is the ear flap which is made of cartilage and covered with velvety skin. Lifting the pinna allows you to see into the dog’s ear canal. This is a long, tube-like structure that extends down to the eardrum, of which only a small part can be seen.
Cropping Pitbull Ears
Pitbull ear cropping modifies the natural shape of the Pitbull’s ears by removing part of the pinna so that the cartilage stands erect. This surgical procedure is only done on puppies, never on adult dogs. Puppies are typically between 9 and 12 weeks old when the procedure is performed. This is because, as puppies grow, the ear cartilage becomes thicker and would make the operation extremely painful for the dog. There’s also a possibility that after 12 weeks, the operation won’t keep the ears upright and give them the desired prick-eared look.
How Is It Done?
Ear cropping should always be carried out under full anesthesia and must be performed by a licensed veterinarian with experience doing this procedure, which lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. The pinnas are cut to a certain length, and the edges are sutured.
After surgery, bandages will be wrapped around the ears so that they heal in an erect position. This bandaging can last for days or months. The dog’s ears will be sensitive and painful for at least several weeks following the procedure. Medicines are administered to help reduce soreness and prevent infection.
Why Crop a Pitbull’s Ears?
Dog ear cropping is a centuries-old practice. The original reason for cropping a Pitbull’s ears was probably to protect them from being bitten during dog fights. Today, many places have banned ear cropping. This includes the UK, Australia, New Zealand, nearly all European countries, and most Canadian provinces. However, in many parts of the US, ear cropping is still legal.
The American Kennel Club endorses the practice to maintain standards on certain breeds, including the Pitbull breeds. Therefore, some people want their Pitbull to have a specific ear shape to compete in shows. There are also claims that cropped ears improve a dog’s hearing or help prevent ear infections, but there’s no scientific evidence that supports either of these theories. Ultimately, cropped ears are purely for cosmetic reasons.
It affects the dog’s appearance and makes him look tough and fierce, propagating a misleading stereotype about Pitbulls. As this study found, dogs with modified ears were perceived as being more aggressive, more dominant, and less playful than dogs with natural ears.
Why You Should Never Crop a Pitbull’s Ears
Pitbull ear cropping is a needless, painful medical procedure. Not only are there no benefits for the dog, it can actually be harmful for them. As with any surgery, there are risks associated with complications from anesthesia or infection afterwards. If the operation isn’t done properly, it can mean the dog is scarred for life or may require additional surgery, causing the dog to lose even more of the outer ear.
There’s also the possibility of traumatizing the dog from having surgery at such a young age. Dogs also use their ears to communicate with their owners and with other dogs. Losing parts of their ears can lead to misunderstandings and even fights with other canines.
Ear Health
Pitbulls are prone to several aural issues. Chronic ear infections can be very painful and have been known to damage hearing function. Ear infections are linked to skin allergies, to which the breed is also susceptible.
Aural hematoma is often associated with ear mites and infections. If your dog shakes their head or scratches their ears too much, it can result in burst blood vessels in the ear flap, leading to a blood bruise. This causes swelling and can be quite painful for the dog.
Mites
Ear mites can get in the dog’s ear canal and cause them extreme distress. These tiny bugs are highly infectious. If there’s more than one pet in the home, ear mites will be freely passed among them. Luckily, this common parasitic infection is usually easily treatable with modern products requiring only a single dose.
JLS says
The ONLY acceptable reason to alter a dog’s ears, regardless of breed, is if there is a medical reason for it. If it is PURELY for cosmetic reasons or for dog fighting reasons, then it should be banned.
Michael Patrick Day says
I have owned 3 Dobermans, 2 from pups, one adopted adult. Both of the pups, I had cropped, and we’re done by a veterinarian with a stellar reputation. Never was there a single complication. All 3 were/are very friendly, people loving pets. This ear cropping debate exists within the Doberman owners too. However it seems more likely accepted as it is necessary to achieve the classic Doberman appearance. I have also raised and adopted several bully breeds, none of them with cropped ears. I do like the look, but feel it’s not worth putting the pup through the pain of surgery. In fact, I might never have had it done with the Dobes, looking back. As to the issue of it changing the animals personality, who can say? 9-12 weeks is the age for cropping, which is also when a pup begins to display certain personality traits anyway. I against cropping, for the record. I am a NOT against those that want that look to their pet. Just do your research. Find the right vet. If they’re worth their salt, they’ll bombard YOU with questions as to why you want your pup to go through this, and in many cases, try to talk you out of it.
Jo says
Hello all! I am in the process of having 2 pittbull. I will not get thier ears cropped. I am not in agreement with it at all. It gets done to young puppies and that does affect thier personalities. Any one who says it doesnt has no clue. They have memories and I know for a fact they do remember. A friend of mine had one with cropped ears. Well his piitbull did a nip at someone who touched its ears. This dog was a 3 year old age. Then another time it nipped another person , and one final person got bit, by this dog , because the idiot went to whisper into the dogs ear while holding its ear. So any one who thinks cropping is normal or good to do , well pray I dont meet you . From a true animal lover and knowledge.
Dolores says
I totally agree & it is not medically necessary to do! It’s for the owners selfish desires to
make them feared .. & causes them to have a bad rep of being ferocious!
They are some of the sweetest dogs, loving, funny & kind of owner would allow them!
Deloris says
Someone just asked me why I didn’t have my Barkley’s ears clipped and I said I like telling him things and I put the flap down going it goes in one ear and not out the other. He is a very very playful rowdy 9 month old now and just handsome as ever. I think ear clipping is traumatizing and unnecessary for these babies same as tail cropping for other breeds. It’s like a baby being born and changing something on it just because at 9-12 weeks it’s hair isn’t long enough or to dark. Good made all creatures perfect we change them to fit our image of perfection.
Twila Ramsey says
Dogs should be beautiful because they are loved and well cared for.💖💖
Dogs don’t need to have their appearance surgically altered to feed anyone’s ego.
The American Kennel Club with it’s ludicrous requirements should be prosecuted for a conspiracy to commit animal cruelty.
Joelle says
AKC should be held accountable for promoting ANIMAL CRUELTY due to their breed standards.
They must!
They must!
Amy Duncan says
I agree!
Chris says
I’ve never had a pet before but I am looking to get a grey blue nose blue eyed pitbull a male and my girlfriend wants to get a tan/cream colored red nose female I am debating on whether I’m going to crop there ears or not when I get them that’s why I was reading up on this article it was helpful, but I agree I don’t think it makes them look more aggressive or has anything to do with affecting the way the dog acts I think they look very unique with the cropped ears. My girlfriends had pets her whole life too she has a German Shepard and Golden retriever mix that’s 5 or 6 years old and he is a very humble loyal smart dog he’s a big baby honestly can’t wait to have my own dog and grow with them.
Mike says
After reading this article how could you even consider it? You’d put your skewed image before a dog’s health pffft – says a lot about you. Hope this helps!
Maeby says
I can believe that anyone who has never had a pet before would think it’s a good idea to start with a Pit Bull.
Amy Duncan says
Did you read the article?… why would you still crop…
Rahul sandhu says
I have american pitbull i want crop his ears . But before that i wanna make sure that it will not affects my dogs health. Or it dsnt cause any disease.
Ellen Casey says
I my self think ear and tail docking shouldn’t be legal anywhere !!
Gigi says
I agree, perhaps we should cut the owners ears and tails off!
Grandad says
We don’t have tails bud
Devlin Healy says
But it has to be something useful, like complete ears and tail are for dogs
Mary says
I am fostering an American Bully right now who was a stray on the streets for what seems like a long time if not all his life. They think he’s 4ish. I’m thinking a tad older. His ears were cropped and were so infected upon getting him that they were going to put him down, and was on the “kill list”at my local SPCA. I’m fostering him so he can get those ears healed, get neutered, and have a good life from here on out. He’s covered in Scars and some mange. He is not good with other dogs- startled at his own shadow or reflection- but is a friggin total loverbean with humans. He is so damn mellow and sweet! I can’t believe his temperament after going through what he’s gone through. When I put the meds in his ears every night, he cries- and I have cried with him. I have video-d this because I want to share how fucked up this practice is. I love animals- especially dogs. Why would anyone want to impart this practice on a boy? He’s still handsome- he’s getting his mojo back- but I’m gonna have him cut. I think he is cool looking with cut ears but not so much that I would ever want to chance a probable life sentence of chronic infections. Fuck that. I realize that he was homeless – probably because he ran away from his life of fighting- it wasn’t his temperament. He’s such a good boy- I’m lucky to know him. He’s so brave. Anyway. Thanks for the info, just wandering why people do this? It’s not cool at all from my perspective!
Ronnie says
I’ve owned a number of Pitbulls over many years, with cropped & in-cropped ears, I started a PitBull club years ago, had hundreds of dog shows as far as ears if done right it can look good however if not, may ruin a dog for show, as for fighting cropping helps keeping a dog getting a hold of them. Personally I prefer un-cropped ears, for many reasons, way back when I was young I had the chance to talk to a number of old Dog Men, most of them told me a pit bull will go for muscle and bone not fur, loose skin etc. dog fighting is a terrible sport, and I’ve always have been against it. Most people judge a pitbull because of its fighting abilities ignoring the dogs repatriation of being a nanny dog, great among children, a well breed pit bull in my opinion is one of the greatest dogs there is, problem is owners are to lazy/busy to attend to or be responsible owners. That being said a pitbull is not for everyone. Owning a pitbull doesn’t make you tougher if someone wants to look tough go to the GYM or something. Dog fighting is illegal as should be.
Sp says
I totally agree with you on the fighting aspect. I just prefer the cropped look on my dogs. I love the way it gives them a show look, and how they manipulate them when they’re expressing themselves. It’s just beautiful. My pitbulls are treated like my dog children. They lived a super happy spoiled life. If anyone has a dog they should consider it a lifelong commitment. That story about the dog with infected ears, was due to negligence and not from cropped ears. This would of been the case regardless. Any animal that’s been abandoned in the streets for long periods of time, will develop infectious diseases, and complications due to bacteria and germs. Please stop using such nonsense pertaining to this subject (person with rescue)