Ears: in a dog's life they play main vital functions, from powerful hearing devices to effective means of communication. In certain breeds, they also are floppy shaped to protect the vulnerable ear drums from invading insects or rain, in others they are raised high on the top of the head to ensure state of the art hearing aids. So when the question: "Should a dog's ears be mutilated?" arises, the answer should be a bold and loud "NO" even if only the ear tips should be affected.

After all, would you, as a sound of mind human, want your ears chopped off? Unless there would be a good medical reason, the answer should ba a loud and bold "NO" as well. Well, let's consider that to make things even worse is the fact that ear cropping in dogs are performed mainly for aesthetic reasons.

Having worked at a veterinarian hospital, I remember my first encounter with an ear cropping case. A couple had scheduled an appointment with me to have their Pitbull terrier's ears "clipped". Unknowingly, I thought the dog's ears needed the hair clipped so I scheduled it as a normal appointment. When the owner asked me how long it would take and I told them fifteen minutes they looked very surprised. Only after taking them in the room have I realized they were really referring to an ear crop! Embarassed, that day I learned about this uneccessary procedure.

After that famous day, I have witnessed various ear croppings. Aside from the sadness of seeing those precious ear tips fall off to the ground, I noticed that recovery was often hastened by complications and that sometimes the ears would not "stand up" as requested necessitating further surgeries to correct the unwanted floppiness.

While ear coppings are not strictly dictated by many AKC breed standards, dogs of certain breeds with uncropped ears are often severely penalized, making it sound as if a Doberman does not comply with this standard, it is denied the right to be called a Doberman.

Many breeds are affected by the ear cropping trend, such breeds are as follows:

Boxers

Schnauzers

Great Danes

Doberman pinschers

Miniature pinschers

American Pit bull Terriers

A CLOSER LOOK INTO THE PROCEDURE

In order for ear croppings to be effective, puppies must undergo this procedure at a very tender age, usually between 7-12 weeks old. General anesthesia is performed and along comes the potential risks involved in operating on such young pups. About 2/3 of the ear is removed during the procedure along with important nerve endings. Stitches are then applied throughout the cut and the pup's ears will have to be bandaged for several weeks.

Ear cropping is not an easy procedure. Not many vets are trained on how to perform them appropriately and abiding to the breed's standards. Bandaging to maintain the erect position may be necessary for extended periods of time post surgery. Many times these bandages will need checked and replaced by the veterinarian every week. Worse, the procedure comes with it's usual risks such as the risks of general anesthesia and post surgery complications.

Ears may develop infections, bleeding and even if rare, they may need to be amputated should major complications arise.

A dog with cropped ears will have painful and sensitive ears for weeks following surgery. Some may develop phantom pains just as any amputated body part. Regardless of the expensive and unneccessary surgery, there still are no guarantees on the success rate of the procedure.

A common alarmed call I used to get was from owners concerned that post ear cropping, their pup's ears were still not "standing up". I have witnessed owners putting so much emphasis on keeping those ears straight up that they have actually caused more problems in their pups than necessary. I have heard of owners giving extra calcium supplements along with vitamin D to increase the ear's "portability", only to have created major growth problems due to over supplementation.

BANNING EAR CROPPING

It comes as no surprise that the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals has focused in banning ear cropping and tail docking. According to Wikipedia, England and Wales have effectively set an example by considering these illegal practices to such an extent that dogs with cropped ears are actually prohibited from entering in any Kennel club event!

Of course, with the practice of ear cropping comes a multitude of people defending this practice. Excuses include medical benefits of lowering chances of ear infections and general injuries. Such excuses are unacceptable and unethical. Of course, the less the ear the less the chances of ear problems, and so forth. If we would adhere to such excuses the we can cut off toes to lessen the chances of pododermtitis, we we cut off tails to lessen the chances of tail infections and so forth in a mutilation spree of body parts.

Others may state the procedure is not painful to the pup. Of course, while under surgery there will be no pain, but there is strong evidence of pain upon awakening from the anaesthesia and during recovery as the pup yelps as it bumps his ears against surfaces. It is no wonder why vets offer the option of taking home pain meds when the dog is discharged from the hospital after an ear cropping.

Ear cropping for cosmetic reasons is really unacceptable.

Dogs are not fashion accessories. Dogs are living creatures. They deserve to have their ears in the way nature intended to. As humans we have no right whatsoever on deciding on their behalf, especially when for futile cosmetic reasons. My verdict is therefore that ear croppings not only should not be permitted but should actually be illegal. Dogs have ears for a reason and by cropping them we are not listening to their nature's will.