Cropping a dogs ears is a kind of cosmetic surgery that includes cutting the hanging part of the ear and creating the desired shape of the animal owner in the remaining part of the corner (usually it is done so that the dog’s ear is standing straight). This work used to be done more often, but the opinions of veterinarians and people have changed and even now it is illegal in some areas.
For example, in Australia, England, and some other European countries, dog ear cosmetic surgery is prohibited unless there is a valid reason and it is necessary for the animal’s health, and even a few breeders have been arrested illegally for cropping a dog’s ears.
Don’t worry, we know this way and we will tell you everything you need to know about cropping a dog’s ears in this article!
The reason for cropping a dog’s ear
According to the metrodcvet, now they cut off the ears of dogs mostly for beauty and many people say that in their opinion the animal’s appearance becomes rougher and more similar to wolves, but before there was a special purpose behind this work.
For example, it was said that cropping the ears of the guard’s boxers made them hear better and as a result, the guards became more alert, because the cut-off ear turned more easily towards the source of the sound. Of course, no detailed study has been done on this issue to see if it is really true or not.
In the case of Brussels Griffon dogs, which are a hunting breed, ear cropping was done to prevent their ears from being bitten or stuck on thorns or tree branches while hunting.
On the other hand, some people who prepare their dogs for competitions or fights, cut their ears so that they don’t bite or tear off each other’s ears during a fight, and in general, the possibility of dog injury is less. Obviously, such work is not morally correct in any way!
The effect of ear cropping on dog health
On the other hand, in the old days, people who didn’t believe in cleaning the dog’s ears believed that hanging ears are more likely to become infected, and in this way, for example, they wanted to make it easier to take care of the dog!
Ear infections may be more common in some dogs with drooping ears. But there are many more important factors that affect this disease ( for example, genetic issues or the narrowness of the ear canal ). Even some researches have shown that ear infections have not increased in breeds that used to cut their ears but now do it less often. So, the shape of the ear has very little effect on causing diseases.
What breeds of dog ears are cut?
Dog ear surgery is mostly performed in breeds such as Boston Terrier, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Miniature Pinscher, Great Dane, American Bully, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, and Schnauzer. In fact, the owners of guard dogs are more interested in this work and now mostly because of making a serious and scary appearance for their dogs. But this can endanger the dog’s health, which we will mention below.
Does cropping the ear hurt a lot?
If it is done incorrectly, yes, but the veterinarian knows at what age it is better to do this and anesthetizes the animal, and gives painkillers after the operation.
You may not know that this is not really necessary for your dog. In fact, many of the things we do or the additional worries we have no place in the way of training a dog.
Care after cropping a dog’s ears
If you have to do ear surgery for your dog‘s health, then this surgery requires a lot of care and must be done very carefully. The wounds on the animal’s ears are very itchy when they are healing, but you should not let them scratch them. After removing the stitches, the work becomes much easier, but you still have to be careful and follow the veterinarian’s instructions until the last day.
Usually, the ears of small breeds get better sooner, but it doesn’t take a lot of calculation and may take up to 2 months to fully recover. During this period, they need continuous visits that you have to plan before the operation.
Dangers of cropping a dog’s ears
Cutting with a knife in the old way, which in addition to pain and the possibility of infection, can also damage the dog’s sense of hearing and is not the right thing at all. But there is also the fact that surgery is not safe either :
- First, the use of anesthetics itself may have risks and side effects and should only be done when necessary. Ear cropping is not necessary for domestic and normal dogs. In fact, it is not necessary for any dog!
- Second, various problems may occur after surgery. For example, scars can become infected, bleed and cause pain and discomfort to the animal.
In some severe cases, the wound may become so infected that we have to cut off the entire ear, which itself causes all kinds of problems. (Read the dog diseases article for more information!)
For example, dogs’ ears bend backward when they are angry, and we understand that we should be more careful. In addition, people may not behave well with a dog with cropped ears because it looks rougher.
Finally, is dog ear surgery good or bad?
Different groups that deal with dogs, from breeders to veterinarians and animal rights advocates, have different opinions on this issue.
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The opinion of the American Veterinary Association is that it is not acceptable to cut a dog’s ears (and its tail) if it is only for beauty, and it encourages dog breeding associations to remove ear and tail cropping from the standard of dog breeds so that people do not do this anymore.
Conclusion
Some claim that cropping a dog’s ears has benefits such as improved hearing and prevention of dog ear infections (otitis externa). But so far no evidence has been obtained to confirm these claims.
It is recommended that you do not perform surgery on the dog’s ears unless you have to do so to maintain his health. Because in addition to the cost of the operation, ear cropping can also have complications. In addition, you should take time to take care of the animal for a few weeks and take it to the vet to make sure that there are no problems with it.