Animal Cropping: History, Controversy, and Risks

Animal cropping has a long and complex history. The practice of cutting or trimming an animal's ears, tail, or other parts dates back to ancient times, with evidence of ear cropping found in ancient Egypt and Greece.

In many cultures, animal cropping was initially done for functional or practical reasons, such as to prevent injury or improve an animal's appearance. For example, in some breeds of dog, ear cropping was done to prevent ear infections.

However, over time, animal cropping has become a highly controversial practice. Many animal welfare organizations have spoken out against it, citing the potential for unnecessary pain and suffering.

Animal cropping is the removal of part or all of an animal's ears, often followed by taping the remaining ear upright to aid in healing.

Some breeds, like Dobermanns, American bullies, Pitbulls, and similar breeds, commonly undergo ear cropping. This procedure is not necessary for breeds with naturally upright ears, such as huskies, German shepherds, Westies, and Corgis.

Broaden your view: Dogs Ears Cropped

Animal cropping is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of part or all of an animal's ears or tail.

It's commonly performed on breeds with floppy ears that are taped upright to heal in a vertical position.

Some breeds, like Dobermanns and Pitbulls, are often subject to ear cropping.

Ear cropping is usually done to achieve a specific appearance, rather than for health reasons.

Other breeds that have naturally upright ears, such as huskies and Westies, don't typically undergo ear cropping.

Explore further: Crop German Shepherds Ears

The practice of cropping a dog's ears has been performed since the time of the Romans around 2,000 years ago.

The Romans also practiced tail docking as it was thought that would decrease the spread of rabies, but it doesn't.

Ear cropping was originally performed on certain breeds of dogs that were considered working dogs, like flock defense dogs, to prevent their floppy or droopy ears from being a liability in fights or hunts.

Suggestion: Crops Dog Ears

It was also done for less noble purposes like dogfighting and bear-baiting, where dogs were forced to fight a chained bear.

In texts from around 300 years ago, ear cropping is mentioned alongside spiked collars as a form of defense against wolves.

Those droopy ears were thought to make it harder to keep the ear canal clean, leading to health risks like ear infections and hematomas.

A hematoma is a serious condition where the skin of the ear is torn away from the cartilage, forming a pocket that fills with blood.

People crop a dog's ears for aesthetic or cosmetic reasons, often to achieve a particular "look". This is the main reason, despite claims that it has health benefits.

Those who support ear cropping claim it prevents ear infections and injuries, but this is completely untrue. Cropping doesn't benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behavior, and welfare.

Ear cropping is usually done on puppies between six and 12 weeks, and it can be extremely traumatic for them, causing permanent damage.

People crop a dog's ears for a few reasons, but unfortunately, these reasons have been proven false. The idea that cropping a dog's ears makes them look more aggressive is a common misconception.

Cropping a dog's ears was once believed to make them less prone to ear infections, but this has been debunked by experts. This myth likely originated from the fact that some breeds with cropped ears seem to have fewer ear problems.

Some people think that cropping a dog's ears is necessary for certain breeds, but this is not the case. Many breeds with naturally long ears, such as Basset Hounds, do just fine without ear cropping.

Consider reading: When Is It Too Late to Crop a Dog's Ears?

Some people believe ear cropping is beneficial for dogs, but the facts say otherwise. These misconceptions often lead to unnecessary surgery and potential harm to the animal.

Those who support ear cropping claim it can prevent ear infections and injuries. However, this is completely untrue.

Cropping doesn't benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behavior, and welfare. Some owners believe cropped ears make the dog look tougher or more intimidating, but the process can have the opposite effect on their temperament.

In some countries, cropped ears are considered a breed standard for certain bull-breeds. Other breeds, such as Dobermans, have their ears cropped and splinted.

Some owners may believe ear cropping is necessary for showing dogs or breeding dogs. However, research shows that cosmetic reasons for ear cropping are not widely necessary for these activities.

Consider reading: Pit Bulls Tails Cropped

Cropped dog breeds are a common sight, but have you ever wondered which breeds are typically cropped? Boston Terriers, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Miniature Pinschers, Great Danes, and Schnauzers are all breeds that often have their ears cropped.

These breeds have a standard look that's part of their history. Boston Terriers, for example, were originally bred to have short, cropped ears to prevent injury.

Here are some common dog breeds that are often cropped:

Ear cropping is a topic that sparks debate among dog owners and breeders. Most historical reasons for ear cropping have been proven false.

The procedure is often associated with dogfighting, but this practice is prohibited, and hounds, not dogs with cropped ears, are commonly used for hunting. Rottweilers, for example, are not cropped and are still unmistakably intimidating.

Some dogs have parts of their ears removed later in life due to injury or trauma, but this is usually a reactionary measure rather than an elective one. The surgery is prohibited in many countries and breed associations.

The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes ear cropping when it's done solely for cosmetic reasons, and it's illegal in Germany, where the practice is thought to have originated. Despite this, ear cropping remains legal in the United States and most of Canada.

Dogs with natural ears are not prohibited from entering dog shows, and more and more "natural" dogs are being successfully shown. Animal rights activists consider ear cropping unnecessary and a violation of an animal's rights.

Ear cropping is banned in the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as many European countries. The procedure is associated with risks such as infection and complications, and it can lead to the development of a neuroma, a thickened, firm lesion of neural tissue.

See what others are reading: Doberman Pinscher Not Cropped

Ear cropping and tail docking procedures can be performed on puppies as young as 2 days old, but most veterinarians recommend doing it between 7 and 12 weeks of age.

The ear cropping procedure involves removing a portion of the pinnae, typically 2/3 of the ear flap, and closing the wound with sutures. The puppy is given general anesthesia to ensure they don't feel any pain during the procedure.

The procedure is usually done to achieve a cosmetic look, but it comes with risks such as infection, bleeding, and pain. In some cases, the dog's ears may become so infected that amputation is needed.

Here are some potential complications that can arise from ear cropping:

It's worth noting that the American Veterinary Medical Association has stated that there is no research data to support the claim that ear cropping prevents ear infections.

Ear cropping is typically performed when a puppy is between 7 and 12 weeks old, making the procedure less painful for the dog.

The procedure involves removing a portion of the pinnae, which is the flap of the ear, with approximately 2/3 of the ear flap being removed.

The edges of the wound are closed with sutures, and the ears are bandaged to heal into the desired shape.

General anesthesia is used to ensure the puppy doesn't feel anything during the procedure, but postoperative pain can still be severe and may require pain medication.

Tail amputation, also known as tail docking, is done when a puppy is between 2 and 5 days old, without anesthesia, and is simply cut off with scissors.

Alternatively, some breeders may tie something around the puppy's tail to occlude the blood supply, causing the tail to die and fall off.

In the past, ear cropping was performed by an older shepherd using an ordinary blade, typically when a puppy was about 6 weeks old.

The removed ear flap was sometimes grilled and fed to the puppy, a practice believed to make the dog more aggressive.

The surgery should only be done by a licensed veterinarian with experience in ear cropping, and puppies are usually 6 to 12 weeks old when their ears are cropped.

The ears must be "posted" to a hard surface and taped until completely healed, with bandages needing to be changed weekly, typically.

Consider reading: Tail Docking Ear Cropping

Ear cropping is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of a puppy's ear flap, typically 2/3 of it. The procedure is usually done when the puppy is between 7 and 12 weeks of age, under general anesthesia to prevent pain during the surgery.

However, postoperative pain can be severe and may require pain medication. The wounds can take a long time to heal, need a lot of aftercare, and can become infected easily.

There are risks involved with ear cropping, including the possibility of post-surgical complications, infection, and bleeding. In some extreme cases, the dog's cropped ears could become so infected that amputation is needed, which comes with an entirely separate list of complications.

Research has shown that cropped ears can be viewed as a sign of aggression, dominance, and less playfulness in dogs. This could have significant implications for breed-specific legislation.

Here are some potential risks associated with ear cropping:

It's essential to consult with a veterinarian before considering ear cropping, as the success of the surgery is never a guarantee.