Cropped ears for certain breeds?

[twoisplenty]

The practice is illegal across most of Europe, including all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, and most member countries of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.[17] It is illegal in parts of Spain and in some Canadian provinces.[12] The situation in Italy is unclear; the ban effective 14 January 2007 may no longer be in force.[18]

Ear-cropping is still widely practiced in the United States and parts of Canada, with the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs both permitting the practice.[12] The American Kennel Club (AKC) position is that ear cropping and tail docking are "acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health."[19] While some individual states have attempted to ban ear-cropping,[20] There is strong opposition from some dog breed organizations, who cite health concerns and tradition.[13]

The American Veterinary Medical Association "opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes" and "encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards".[21] Specifically, the AVMA "has recommended to the American Kennel Club and appropriate breed associations that action be taken to delete mention of cropped or trimmed ears from breed standards for dogs and to prohibit the showing of dogs with cropped or trimmed ears if such animals were born after some reasonable date".[1] Some national chains of veterinary hospitals have voluntarily ceased to perform cosmetic surgeries on dogs.[16] The American Humane Association opposes ear-cropping "unless it is medically necessary, as determined by a licensed veterinarian".[22]

It has been suggested the cropping may interfere with a dog's ability to communicate using ear signals; there has been no scientific comparative study of ear communication in cropped and uncropped dogs.[23]






Eventually the rest of the world will follow suit and ear cropping and tail docking will be a thing of the past.

[kady05]

It's illegal I'm sure because it's unnecessary and cruel. Like you say, Dobies in the UK cannot be shown unless they are all natural. Just an example of how we in the US not only allow but encourage mutilation of our dogs to look "good" for the show ring. And another reason I have no love for the AKC.

That's a bit extreme. Unnecessary? Sure. Cruel? Eh. Considering I've seen litters of pups who were freshly cropped running around the day after surgery (without pain meds), I'm not so sure. Is there pain involved? Yes, it's a surgery. But so is spaying/neutering, and neither of those are necessary either yet we have tons of people telling everyone to spay/neuter their dogs. Hell, Wilson had a harder recovery from his neuter surgery than Sako ever did from his crop!

And from what I know, dogs that have been imported to other countries from the US CAN be shown cropped and/or docked. They just can't be cropped/docked in the country where it's illegal.. which is why you have many breeders importing dogs to the US, having them cropped, then bringing them back to their own country.

[kady05]

It has been suggested the cropping may interfere with a dog's ability to communicate using ear signals; there has been no scientific comparative study of ear communication in cropped and uncropped dogs.[23]

And that is one of the dumbest arguments about cropping.. I've heard it before though. Spend some time with a cropped dog and you'll see what I mean (not directing this at you, just in general). Sako communicates just fine with his ears LOL.

[CoverTune]

I would definitely crop/dock a Doberman, because I think they look incredible (when done right of course), but not any other breed.

If you look at all wild dogs, they all have upright ears, drop ears seems to be a product of domestication. Upright ears allow for better hearing accuracy, and are less prone to ear infections

[twoisplenty]

See thats another very good argument/discussion right there. I have also read that down natural ears are a mutation.

I have both cropped and natural earred boxers. I prefer them natural but appreciate a good crop.

[twoisplenty]

And that is one of the dumbest arguments about cropping.. I've heard it before though. Spend some time with a cropped dog and you'll see what I mean (not directing this at you, just in general). Sako communicates just fine with his ears LOL.

I agree with you there as my males have no issues communicating with cropped ears. When unsure they go to the side or straight back on their heads, when alert they are directed in a forward motion. They look like little antennas at times homing in on any sound they hear, lol.

BTW, my above pst with banned countries was pasted from wiki

[xellil]

That's a bit extreme. Unnecessary? Sure. Cruel? Eh. Considering I've seen litters of pups who were freshly cropped running around the day after surgery (without pain meds), I'm not so sure. Is there pain involved? Yes, it's a surgery. But so is spaying/neutering, and neither of those are necessary either yet we have tons of people telling everyone to spay/neuter their dogs. Hell, Wilson had a harder recovery from his neuter surgery than Sako ever did from his crop!

And from what I know, dogs that have been imported to other countries from the US CAN be shown cropped and/or docked. They just can't be cropped/docked in the country where it's illegal.. which is why you have many breeders importing dogs to the US, having them cropped, then bringing them back to their own country.

It was cruel to my dog to crop his ears. I don't care what anyone says. They don't stand up, and they are just these little pieces of flopping triangles. It's disgusting. I don't care how anyone defends it by saying "oh it wasn't done RIGHT" - the fact that it was done, period, was a cruel act.

Doesn't matter if he was in pain or not. Mutilation is cruel.

[B3r_&_Ray]

It was cruel to my dog to crop his ears. I don't care what anyone says. They don't stand up, and they are just these little pieces of flopping triangles. It's disgusting. I don't care how anyone defends it by saying "oh it wasn't done RIGHT" - the fact that it was done, period, was a cruel act.

Doesn't matter if he was in pain or not. Mutilation is cruel.

Not trying to heat anyone's temper cuz I know when someone's mind is set on something it's hard and some what impossible to change their mind just how someone was brought up and raised on how they think. I was brought up and raised to think that it's not cruel but some times unnecessary but let me ask you this....
What do you think about piercings and tattoos on humans? Is that cruel and unnecessary? Yes unnecessary but cruel? All basically cosmetic even ear piercings. Call me cru-ella De Ville lol when I say this but I don't see the difference... I know it's painful for them but I'm right there with Kady05 about having them spayed/neutered, that's also painful and for males it changes the way the act. Not as lively well it was for my rott my friend owns. Just wasn't his playful self anymore not for sure if that was due to him getting older and more obedience classes or because his balls/testosterone was gone.

[rannmiller]

First and foremost, let's not turn this into another thread with a lot of misinformation and arguing about ear cropping. Some people are fine with it, some people are against it. You're never going to change anyone's opinion so let's not try to start here because all it does is cause crazy threads that fly off the handle too quickly and need to be closed.

My aunt is a breeder and that's where I got her and I want to put her in shows like her father.

If you truly want to show your boxer, you will probably be better off cropping the ears. While natural ears are allowed in the show ring, they usually don't do very well or go very far in competition. Having said that, I'd love to see natural ears start doing better in conformation, maybe you can start that trend Having said that showing is a LOT of work, it takes a lot of time and money to show a dog, so make sure you're willing to make that commitment before deciding that's the main reason you want to crop.

I have a Doberman and also went back and forth on cropping her ears until I finally decided that my money would be better spent on toys and food (and vet bills from her being an accident-prone puppy) than on plastic surgery, but I really had no intention of showing her ever. I absolutely love her floppy ears and how clean they stay. I know she would have looked amazing either way, but I'm glad I decided not to crop. Especially with how big of a pain in the butt cropped ears can be to get to stand properly.

I really don't prefer the look of cropped boxers, I think that natural ears are much more flattering to the shape of their face, but that's just my opinion. If you do decide to crop, ask your aunt where she recommends going if you haven't already and be prepared for a lot of work and diligence on your part to make sure they stand properly. Remember: natural ears will always look good, but it's really hard if not impossible to fix a bad crop/ears that won't stand.

Good luck either way!

[Sprocket]

Not trying to heat anyone's temper cuz I know when someone's mind is set on something it's hard and some what impossible to change their mind just how someone was brought up and raised on how they think. I was brought up and raised to think that it's not cruel but some times unnecessary but let me ask you this....
What do you think about piercings and tattoos on humans? Is that cruel and unnecessary? Yes unnecessary but cruel? All basically cosmetic even ear piercings. Call me cru-ella De Ville lol when I say this but I don't see the difference... I know it's painful for them but I'm right there with Kady05 about having them spayed/neutered, that's also painful and for males it changes the way the act. Not as lively well it was for my rott my friend owns. Just wasn't his playful self anymore not for sure if that was due to him getting older and more obedience classes or because his balls/testosterone was gone.

HUGE difference between a human making the decision to get their own body pierced or tattooed, and an owner paying to have a procedure done on their dog. The dog doesn't make the decision.

FWIW - My neutered males have all been completely normal with their temperments and activity levels.