Ear cropping is a form of surgery often performed on dogs. Often of pure breeds such as Great Danes, these dogs have the visible 'flap' section of the ear cut off. This part, called the auricle or the pinnae, is often removed by a veterinary surgeon, but is sometimes done by amateurs too. This procedure has been historically performed since ancient times.
Many years ago, when the tradition first began, it was usually dogs which had been kept for fighting purposes which underwent the procedure. These dogs could include sheepdogs and those defending cattle, or those who aided their human masters in hunting. This is due to the fact that a dog's ears can become caught, pulled and ripped during a fight, and so it made sense to make them shorter. Other dogs performed fights for entertainment reasons, and so owners would often have the procedure performed on their dogs too.
Cosmetic cropping has become much more popular in the last hundred years. Some owners believe that having the procedure performed on their dog makes them look better, and will help them perform to a better standard in competitions. Dogs which often receive the procedure for this reason are often pure breeds such as Great Danes and Boxers. Many competitors claim they would not perform cropping on their dogs if they could still win, however competitions are still often biased towards those dogs who have undergone the procedure.
The medical reasons for the cropping of a dog's ears have been questioned, however many supporters claim that it can be beneficial. Some claim that it can improve the hearing of a dog, as the flap may obstruct the sound entering the ear. Some owners have also claimed they had the surgery done to prevent their dogs getting ear infections, and to prevent the dog pain in later life if the ear should become trapped or caught on something.
Many countries have now made the procedure illegal due to the lack of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the surgery on dogs. There are still countries which do not restrict the cropping of dogs' ears, such as Egypt and The United States of America. In America, New York is one of the states which has banned it from being practised.
The actual operation is called 'cosmetic otoplasty', and is performed by some veterinarians when the dog is still a puppy, often at the age of about seven to twelve weeks old. This is because the procedure is much more difficult and painful for the dog as the ears become more developed. About two thirds of the ear are usually removed during the surgery, before the edges are stitched up to make sure they heal in the desired shape.
Animal welfare has become an issue involved with the procedure in recent times. Many veterinary surgeons have claimed it is not ethical to put the dog through unnecessary surgery. However, supporters claim that if the dog is given painkillers and is kept calm, the dog will not suffer any harmful effects.
The controversy over ear cropping, has caused much argument in recent times. While its supporters believe it is a tradition which should be continued, others call for its worldwide banning over fears of cruelty. What do you think?
Many years ago, when the tradition first began, it was usually dogs which had been kept for fighting purposes which underwent the procedure. These dogs could include sheepdogs and those defending cattle, or those who aided their human masters in hunting. This is due to the fact that a dog's ears can become caught, pulled and ripped during a fight, and so it made sense to make them shorter. Other dogs performed fights for entertainment reasons, and so owners would often have the procedure performed on their dogs too.
Cosmetic cropping has become much more popular in the last hundred years. Some owners believe that having the procedure performed on their dog makes them look better, and will help them perform to a better standard in competitions. Dogs which often receive the procedure for this reason are often pure breeds such as Great Danes and Boxers. Many competitors claim they would not perform cropping on their dogs if they could still win, however competitions are still often biased towards those dogs who have undergone the procedure.
The medical reasons for the cropping of a dog's ears have been questioned, however many supporters claim that it can be beneficial. Some claim that it can improve the hearing of a dog, as the flap may obstruct the sound entering the ear. Some owners have also claimed they had the surgery done to prevent their dogs getting ear infections, and to prevent the dog pain in later life if the ear should become trapped or caught on something.
Many countries have now made the procedure illegal due to the lack of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the surgery on dogs. There are still countries which do not restrict the cropping of dogs' ears, such as Egypt and The United States of America. In America, New York is one of the states which has banned it from being practised.
The actual operation is called 'cosmetic otoplasty', and is performed by some veterinarians when the dog is still a puppy, often at the age of about seven to twelve weeks old. This is because the procedure is much more difficult and painful for the dog as the ears become more developed. About two thirds of the ear are usually removed during the surgery, before the edges are stitched up to make sure they heal in the desired shape.
Animal welfare has become an issue involved with the procedure in recent times. Many veterinary surgeons have claimed it is not ethical to put the dog through unnecessary surgery. However, supporters claim that if the dog is given painkillers and is kept calm, the dog will not suffer any harmful effects.
The controversy over ear cropping, has caused much argument in recent times. While its supporters believe it is a tradition which should be continued, others call for its worldwide banning over fears of cruelty. What do you think?
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