Several breeds of dogs, such as doberman pinschers, boxers, pit bulls, schnauzers, and great danes, are known for having cropped ears, but ear cropping isn't a procedure that's automatically performed. So if you're purchasing a puppy of a certain breed, you need to decide whether to have his or her ears cropped. The topic is highly controversial, because some people believe that cropping a dog's ears is cruel. However, many people believe that there are several health benefits to having your dog's ears cropped. Learn more about the procedure and why it's commonly preformed so that you can make an informed decision.
What is Ear Cropping?
When a veterinarian crops a dog's ears, he or she removes all or part of the auricle or pinnae — the flap of the dog's ear. The procedure is called a cosmetic otoplasty, and your veterinarian would perform the procedure on your puppy when he or she is between seven and 12 weeks old. The procedure can't be performed on puppies older than 12 weeks, because once a puppy reaches 16 weeks of age, there is a chance that he or she will remember the pain from the procedure.
During the procedure, your puppy will be placed under anesthesia. This helps eliminate the puppy's pain during the procedure, and keeps the puppy still. Once the flap of your puppy's ears are removed, the edges of the ears are stitched up so that they heal properly. Your dog will be bandaged and taped until he or she is completely healed — this keeps your dog from scratching at the wound.
Why Do People Crop Their Dogs Ears?
Dog owners have their dog's ears cropped for numerous different reasons. For example, owners of purebred dogs who place their dogs in dog shows often crop their dog's ears for cosmetic purposes. In some dog shows, ear cropping is actually a requirement included in the breed standard. In fact, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has stated the ear cropping is integral to defining and preserving the breed character in specific breeds of dogs.
Owners that purchase puppies to train them as hunting dogs also commonly have the dog's ears cropped. This way, the dog is less likely to obtain an ear injury while hunting. Additionally, many hunters believe that cropping a dog's ears helps to prevent ear infections and improves the dog's hearing — however, there isn't medical evidence that proves this to be true.
Whether or not you decide to have your dog's ears cropped is completely up to you. It's not likely that a young puppy will remember the procedure at all, so if you prefer the look, plan to enter your dog into dog shows, or plan to take your dog hunting, you should talk to your veterinarian about cropping your dog's ears.
For more information, contact a service such as Bay Street Pet Suite Hotel & Day Spa.
Share28 December 2016
Do you know the types of diseases that are most likely to cause death in dogs? My name is Anne, and I have owned several dogs in the my lifetime. I enjoy training, playing with, and caring for dogs of all sizes and breeds. Throughout my time as a dog owner, I have discovered that there are several illnesses that are common causes of death in dogs and that some breeds are more likely to get these diseases than other breeds. This blog will explain various common deadly diseases in dogs and give advice about how to prevent and treat these illnesses.
