Why do they cut Pitbulls ears?
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 is because, as puppies grow, the ear cartilage becomes thicker and would make the operation extremely painful for the dog.
Ear cropping can be very painful for dogs
As with any surgery, there are risks and ear cropping is an incredibly painful procedure for the dog. This is especially true if carried out as a DIY procedure without prescribed anaesthetic or pain relief. The wounds can take a long time to heal, need a lot of aftercare (such as changing dressings and cleaning) and can become infected easily.
Neapolitan mastiff cross Eton has been scarred for life by the experience of having his ears cropped. He was one of two puppies from a litter of eight who had their ears cropped before being seized by police and placed in our care.
His ears were inflamed, painful and infected. Investigators believe his ears had been cropped using scissors or a sharp blade without pain relief or veterinary care.
Our Southridge Animal Centre manager Anna White said:
This awful procedure has ruined Etons life I dont think hell ever fully recover.
When the case had concluded, Eton and his siblings were free to find new homes. Annas decision to adopt Eton was based on the understanding that he posed huge challenges for any new owner. It would be extremely difficult to find a home that could cope with the impact cropping has had on Eton.
Now, Eton lives with Anna and her family. Hes incredibly head shy and is terrified if you make a sudden movement near his head. He also struggles to communicate and socialise with people and with other dogs, having lost one of his key communication tools.
Why people believe ear cropping is good
Those who support the practice claim ear cropping can prevent ear infections and avoid sustaining injuries from other animals or dogs. However, this is completely untrue. Cropping doesnt benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare.
The procedure is usually carried out for purely aesthetic or cosmetic reasons often because the owner wants to achieve a particular look. Some owners believe cropped ears make the dog look tougher or more intimidating, but the process can have the completely opposite effect on their temperament and can make them anxious and nervous around people and other animals.
Ear cropping is generally done on puppies between six and 12 weeks. Its increasingly popular in certain breeds and types of dogs – including cane corsos and American bullies, where part or all of the entire ear flap is commonly removed. This can be extremely traumatic for the puppy and cause permanent damage.
In some countries, cropped ears are considered a breed standard for some bull-breeds. Other breeds, such as Dobermans, have their ears cropped and splinted.
The fashion for taping or splinting promotes a false aesthetic where dogs ears look permanently alert and therefore more attractive. A dogs ears are taped to a cardboard or wood splint to encourage growth upright instead of the ears flopping over.
There is no evidence of any benefit to performing cropping or taping of dogs ears unless for medical reasons.
Dog Ear Cropping the pros and cons of Ear Cropping?
Ear cropping and tail docking are common today, but are these practices necessary or merely cosmetic? These procedures seem archaic to some, but it’s still considered the norm for certain dog breeds. We explore this topic and give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your pup. Table Of Contents
Cropping, also known as clipping dogs’ ears, removes all or part of the external ear flap on a dog. Many countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, ban this practice (as well as tail docking) because it’s thought to be purely cosmetic; thus, it’s considered animal cruelty to perform unnecessary surgery on an animal.