Introduction
Ear cropping is the practice of surgically altering a dog’s ears to make them stand upright or give them a pointed shape. This practice dates back centuries and was originally done on certain breeds to help reduce ear injuries and infections while working (e.g. in hunting, fighting, herding).
Today, ear cropping is primarily done for cosmetic reasons to make dogs conform to breed standards established by kennel clubs. However, it remains a controversial practice that is banned in many parts of the world due to animal cruelty concerns. Critics argue there are no medical benefits, it poses unnecessary surgical risks, and alters dogs’ natural communication and expression.
Proponents say it maintains historic breeds, prevents injuries, and improves hearing. But the evidence for these claims is limited. With surveys showing the public is increasingly opposed to cosmetic alterations, the debate continues on whether to restrict or ban ear cropping.
Reasons for Cropping
The two main reasons people crop dogs’ ears are for cosmetic preferences and to adhere to certain breed standards. Some dog owners simply prefer the look of cropped ears over natural ears. Certain breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Boxers are often associated with cropped ears, leading owners of these breeds to crop their dogs’ ears to align with the traditional appearance. Additionally, specific kennel clubs and breed registries have standards that call for cropped ears for certain breeds in the show ring. For example, the American Kennel Club breed standard for Doberman Pinschers states that ears should be “cropped and carried erect.” Thus, those who plan to show their Dobermans often crop the ears to improve their chances in the show ring. However, it’s important to note that ear cropping is banned in many parts of the world and is considered an unnecessary cosmetic surgery by welfare organizations (Source 1).
Surgical Procedure
Ear cropping is usually performed on puppies between 7 and 12 weeks old. The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia so the puppy does not feel any pain. The vet will make an incision and remove part of the ear flap, then stitch the remaining ear back together. The amount of ear removed depends on the breed and desired look. For example, Doberrman pinschers often have long, pointy, upright ears after cropping.
After the surgery, the puppy’s ears are bandaged and propped up with tape or splints so they stay upright as they heal. The ears will be wrapped up for a few weeks as the incisions heal. Some vets also give the puppies cone collars to prevent them from scratching their ears. Owners will need to keep the ears clean and change the bandages frequently to prevent infection.
Short Term Effects
Ear cropping is a surgical procedure typically performed on puppies between 6 and 12 weeks old. It requires general anesthesia and the surgical removal of part of the ear flap. This is an extremely painful procedure, with studies showing increased cortisol levels and heart rates indicative of high stress. According to the British Veterinary Association, the pain from ear cropping can persist for weeks after surgery.
The recovery period after ear cropping surgery typically lasts several weeks to months. The ears are bandaged and splinted to hold them in place while healing. Dogs require pain medication during the recovery period. Owners need to keep the bandages clean and prevent infection of the surgical site. Swelling, numbness, and irritation are common during the healing process. Proper aftercare during recovery is essential to avoid complications from infection or bandages that are too tight.
Long Term Effects
Cropping a dog’s ears has several long term impacts on their appearance and health. Cosmetically, their ears will remain permanently folded over instead of standing upright. The cropped shape alters their look dramatically compared to dogs with natural, uncropped ears. However, there are also long term sensory effects. Dogs use their ears to funnel in sounds from their surroundings. With part of the ear removed, their hearing can become heightened as the ear canal is shortened, allowing sound to reach the ear drum faster. This improved auditory sensitivity can be initially overwhelming for dogs as they adjust. Lastly, cropping carries long term medical risks including chronic infections and hematomas. The surgery leaves lasting scar tissue that is prone to irritation and infection. Hematomas, which are pockets of fluid caused by trauma to the delicate ear blood vessels, can develop over time. Overall, the cropped ears significantly impact a dog’s appearance and senses permanently.
Impact on Behavior
There is no evidence that ear cropping makes dogs more aggressive or likely to bite. In fact, some studies have found no difference in aggressive tendencies between cropped and uncropped dogs of the same breed.
One study analyzed over 15,000 Boxer and 2,000 Doberman Pinscher records and found the frequency of aggressive behaviors in cropped dogs was no different than in uncropped dogs of the same breed. They concluded “ears cropped dogs do not seem to show more aggressiveness” (Schoening, 2006).
While ear cropping may give some breeds a more intimidating appearance, it does not alter their inherent temperament. A dog’s tendency toward aggression depends on genetics, early socialization, training, and treatment. Responsible ownership and proper handling are much bigger factors in a dog’s behavior than physical appearance.
In summary, there is no scientific evidence that surgically cropping a dog’s ears makes them more aggressive or prone to biting. An individual dog’s temperament depends on many other factors beyond ear shape. Changing their appearance does not inherently change their personality or behavior.
Source: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/literature-reviews/welfare-implications-ear-cropping-dogs
Animal Welfare Concerns
Ear cropping is widely considered an unnecessary and inhumane procedure by animal welfare organizations. The procedure is primarily done for cosmetic reasons and provides no medical benefit to the dog (1).
The cropping process is very painful for puppies and poses substantial risks. General anesthesia is required which always carries inherent dangers. After the pinna (external ear flap) is surgically removed, the wound is left open and can take weeks or months to fully heal (2).
This extended healing time leaves dogs susceptible to complications such as infections, hematomas, and necrosis of the pinna. Dogs are also at risk of being in chronic pain long after the initial surgery (3).
The cropping process and resulting altered appearance often causes both short and long term negative impacts to the dog’s behavior and welfare. Many veterinary organizations oppose ear cropping due to substantial animal cruelty concerns (1).
Legality
Ear cropping is banned or restricted in many parts of the world. According to FindLaw, ear cropping is illegal in some parts of Canada, and all of Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavian countries. The practice is also illegal across most of Europe, including all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals [1]. In the United States, ear cropping is only regulated in nine states according to Dr. Patty Khuly [2]. The majority of states do not have laws banning or restricting the practice.
The bans and restrictions in certain regions demonstrate the animal welfare concerns associated with ear cropping. Many view the practice as an unnecessary cosmetic procedure that provides no medical benefit to dogs. As public perception shifts, more jurisdictions may move to regulate or prohibit ear cropping in the future.
Alternatives to Ear Cropping
There are some alternatives to surgically cropping a dog’s ears that can help achieve a similar upright ear appearance without putting the dog through an invasive procedure.
One method is taping or posting the ears. This involves gently taping the ears in an upright position during the teething/ear cartilage development phase, which is usually around 5-12 weeks old. The taping helps train the cartilage to stay upright as the ears develop. Products like breathable paper tape, moleskin, foam, or silicone posting strips may be used. Taping must be done carefully to avoid irritating the sensitive ear skin. The ears are taped for periods each day, working up to 23 hours a day, with rest periods in between over several weeks. Though less invasive than surgery, taping still poses some discomfort for puppies. Success rates vary.1
Another alternative is selectively breeding dogs with naturally upright ears over generations until the trait becomes common in the breed. Some breed clubs have standards that allow for upright natural ears as an alternative to cropping. Responsible breeders who wish to move away from cropping can breed dogs with higher ear sets and stiffer ear cartilage that stand upright on their own. However, this takes dedicated effort over many dog generations to establish naturally upright ears throughout a breed. 2
Conclusions
Based on the research and evidence discussed, there does not appear to be a direct causal link between ear cropping and increased aggression in dogs. While some studies have shown cropped dogs may be perceived as more aggressive by owners, this is likely due to physical appearance rather than actual changes in behavior. The ear cropping procedure can be traumatic and painful in the short-term, but there is insufficient data to conclude this trauma leads to lasting behavioral effects.
Ultimately, the decision to crop a dog’s ears should weigh heavily on animal welfare, as the practice is primarily cosmetic. There are risks of complications from any surgical procedure, and cropping removes a part of the dog’s body primarily for human preferences. Many veterinary associations strongly recommend against routine cropping. There are alternative means of achieving a standing ear look through selective breeding if desired. But a dog’s natural ears should be accepted and loved.
In summary, ear cropping does not make dogs inherently more aggressive based on current evidence. But risks to the dog’s welfare for largely cosmetic reasons should be carefully considered. Focusing on breeding for health and temperament is a better goal than physical appearance alone. Most importantly, cropping is unnecessary for a dog’s happiness and should be avoided unless medically required.