christySYK
05-21-2009, 11:51 AM
There is a lot of controversy over Cropping Pit Bulls. Some believe it promotes the breed in a bad light by making them look mean. There is a myth in the general public that we crop our dogs for fighting purposes. I have included an excerpt from Joseph Colby's book explaining why this is untrue. Cropping it left to personal choice of the owner. For NO OTHER reason than cosmetic. This is meant to be an informative thread for those who may be considering it and for those who would like to learn more about it. Please keep your negative comments, to yourself.
EAR CROPPING
Ear cropping, Ear Trimming ,or cosmetic otoplasty, is performed on the ears of certain breeds of dogs to meet breed specifications. This procedure is done on Schnauzers, Miniature Pinschers, Dobermans, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Boston Terriers and Great Danes. However, if you own one of these breeds, you do not have to have this surgery preformed.
There is some controversy about this procedure because it is viewed as an unnecessary surgery for cosmetic purposes only. Veterinarians in Britain do not perform this surgery at all and the procedure is not taught in many veterinary teaching institutions. We offer this surgery because it is our belief that it strengthens the human-animal bond for our pets to look a certain way. Many of these breeds will look just as handsome without having their ears cut. However, I’m sure that many of you will agree that Dobermans and Great Danes are two breeds that have a completely different appearance based upon whether their ears are trimmed.
Regardless of the trimming standard, all ears cannot be trimmed alike. Variations are justified in any breed, and shape and length of the ear vary with the sex and conformation of the individual dog. The type of ear trim performed here is a ‘straight’ cut following the natural curve of the ear. This hospital does not perform ‘show cuts’. We encourage you to discuss with the Doctor or Technician your preferences on ear width and length prior to surgery.
Pit Bulls;3/5 of ear left (this is not a ‘fighting’ cut)
Boxer; 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
Doberman; ¾ of ear left
Great Dane; ¾ to 7/8 of ear left
Min Pin; 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
Schnauzer; 2/3 of ear left
Boston Terrier;¾ to full trim
General Considerations
The surgery is performed at 12 weeks of age. Sometimes the surgery can be done at a later age, however, the chance of the ear successfully standing after surgery decreases with age. Even when performed at 12 weeks of age there is no guarantee that both ears will stand erect after surgery. Surgery only shapes the ear. Whether or not the ear stands up well has to do with the strength of the ear cartilage. At this age, the cartilage can usually be trained to stand erect
All puppies having this procedure performed need to be in general good health and current on vaccinations. If a puppy is malnourished, heavily parasitized, and in poor condition, the surgery will be delayed until the health of the puppy is improved. The stress of anesthesia and surgery may suppress the puppy’s immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection
Post Operative Care
Many ears fail to stand because of improper after-care. Scarring of the cut edge can produce undesirable effects such as contraction of the ear margin or unsightly blemishes. Immediately after surgery your pet will have its ears taped to an aluminum can or a foam block. Sutures will be removed in two weeks. Ideally, the ears will stay in position on the apparatus until then. If, however, they do not remain taped in position—please do not tape your pet’s ears at home; instead, bring your pet to us. If the tape is applied too tightly, it can interfere with blood supply and potentially cause part of the ear to die.
The number of ear wraps needed for the ears to stand varies based upon breed and individual cartilage strength. Three additional ear racks (wraps) are included with the price of your pet’s surgery. There will be an extra charge for additional ear wraps. Most puppies will need to be sedated for the ear wrap procedure. These ear wraps are usually needed from three to six weeks but may be necessary for as long as three to four months in some pets.
Your pet will be given an injection for pain control at the time of surgery. Your pet will also be sent home with the following medication—anti-inflammatory for pain control, sedative to keep the ear wraps in place, and antibiotics to help prevent infection
Potential Complications
The biggest potential complication is one or both ears failing to stand. Other potential complications include moist dermatitis, irritation of the skin secondary to the tape adhesive, ear infection, scarring and immune suppression
Do not attempt it yourself because it may be dangerous and cruel. It is illegal to crop a dog's ears in the U. S. unless you are a licensed vet. In some states, ear cropping is completely illegal
By Joseph L. Colby from “The American Pit Bull Terrier
The cropping of dog’s ears is prohibited by the laws in some states. A heavy fine is imposed on anyone convicted of doing so. Some states even prohibit anyone owning a dog with cropped ears. For example, a fancier in one of the eastern states was hailed into court for having in his possession a dog with cropped ears. It was not until he had gone into the expense of getting a lawyer and proving that he had purchased the dog from a breeder in a state that had no law enforcing the cropping of ears, that the charges were dropped.
It is not advisable for breeders to crop the ears of the American Pit Bull Terrier because many prospective buyers prefer the natural ear and will not buy a dog or pup with cropped ears. It is not practical to crop the ears of the fighting dog because it leaves too much of the inside exposed standard for the breed does not compel the ear to be cropped, we do not encourage it.
Ear Crop Chart
(all crops are shown with Bell here )
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/Roxy_Nie/CropChart-1.jpg
The COST of your crop will greatly depend on your area the range I have seen is from $75 all the way up to $500-$600. Cropping is a lot of work it will take at least a month for your dogs ears to heal and it can take up to 6 months to get them to stand correctly. Be upfront and honest with your vet, don't be afraid to drill them with questions and always ask to see photos of their work. Good luck!
Also of those of us with crops would like to post up before and after or just after pics you are more than welcome too. Most vets ask that you bring a photo of what you want your crop to look like.
EAR CROPPING
Ear cropping, Ear Trimming ,or cosmetic otoplasty, is performed on the ears of certain breeds of dogs to meet breed specifications. This procedure is done on Schnauzers, Miniature Pinschers, Dobermans, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Boston Terriers and Great Danes. However, if you own one of these breeds, you do not have to have this surgery preformed.
There is some controversy about this procedure because it is viewed as an unnecessary surgery for cosmetic purposes only. Veterinarians in Britain do not perform this surgery at all and the procedure is not taught in many veterinary teaching institutions. We offer this surgery because it is our belief that it strengthens the human-animal bond for our pets to look a certain way. Many of these breeds will look just as handsome without having their ears cut. However, I’m sure that many of you will agree that Dobermans and Great Danes are two breeds that have a completely different appearance based upon whether their ears are trimmed.
Regardless of the trimming standard, all ears cannot be trimmed alike. Variations are justified in any breed, and shape and length of the ear vary with the sex and conformation of the individual dog. The type of ear trim performed here is a ‘straight’ cut following the natural curve of the ear. This hospital does not perform ‘show cuts’. We encourage you to discuss with the Doctor or Technician your preferences on ear width and length prior to surgery.
Pit Bulls;3/5 of ear left (this is not a ‘fighting’ cut)
Boxer; 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
Doberman; ¾ of ear left
Great Dane; ¾ to 7/8 of ear left
Min Pin; 2/3 to ¾ of ear left
Schnauzer; 2/3 of ear left
Boston Terrier;¾ to full trim
General Considerations
The surgery is performed at 12 weeks of age. Sometimes the surgery can be done at a later age, however, the chance of the ear successfully standing after surgery decreases with age. Even when performed at 12 weeks of age there is no guarantee that both ears will stand erect after surgery. Surgery only shapes the ear. Whether or not the ear stands up well has to do with the strength of the ear cartilage. At this age, the cartilage can usually be trained to stand erect
All puppies having this procedure performed need to be in general good health and current on vaccinations. If a puppy is malnourished, heavily parasitized, and in poor condition, the surgery will be delayed until the health of the puppy is improved. The stress of anesthesia and surgery may suppress the puppy’s immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection
Post Operative Care
Many ears fail to stand because of improper after-care. Scarring of the cut edge can produce undesirable effects such as contraction of the ear margin or unsightly blemishes. Immediately after surgery your pet will have its ears taped to an aluminum can or a foam block. Sutures will be removed in two weeks. Ideally, the ears will stay in position on the apparatus until then. If, however, they do not remain taped in position—please do not tape your pet’s ears at home; instead, bring your pet to us. If the tape is applied too tightly, it can interfere with blood supply and potentially cause part of the ear to die.
The number of ear wraps needed for the ears to stand varies based upon breed and individual cartilage strength. Three additional ear racks (wraps) are included with the price of your pet’s surgery. There will be an extra charge for additional ear wraps. Most puppies will need to be sedated for the ear wrap procedure. These ear wraps are usually needed from three to six weeks but may be necessary for as long as three to four months in some pets.
Your pet will be given an injection for pain control at the time of surgery. Your pet will also be sent home with the following medication—anti-inflammatory for pain control, sedative to keep the ear wraps in place, and antibiotics to help prevent infection
Potential Complications
The biggest potential complication is one or both ears failing to stand. Other potential complications include moist dermatitis, irritation of the skin secondary to the tape adhesive, ear infection, scarring and immune suppression
Do not attempt it yourself because it may be dangerous and cruel. It is illegal to crop a dog's ears in the U. S. unless you are a licensed vet. In some states, ear cropping is completely illegal
By Joseph L. Colby from “The American Pit Bull Terrier
The cropping of dog’s ears is prohibited by the laws in some states. A heavy fine is imposed on anyone convicted of doing so. Some states even prohibit anyone owning a dog with cropped ears. For example, a fancier in one of the eastern states was hailed into court for having in his possession a dog with cropped ears. It was not until he had gone into the expense of getting a lawyer and proving that he had purchased the dog from a breeder in a state that had no law enforcing the cropping of ears, that the charges were dropped.
It is not advisable for breeders to crop the ears of the American Pit Bull Terrier because many prospective buyers prefer the natural ear and will not buy a dog or pup with cropped ears. It is not practical to crop the ears of the fighting dog because it leaves too much of the inside exposed standard for the breed does not compel the ear to be cropped, we do not encourage it.
Ear Crop Chart
(all crops are shown with Bell here )
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e42/Roxy_Nie/CropChart-1.jpg
The COST of your crop will greatly depend on your area the range I have seen is from $75 all the way up to $500-$600. Cropping is a lot of work it will take at least a month for your dogs ears to heal and it can take up to 6 months to get them to stand correctly. Be upfront and honest with your vet, don't be afraid to drill them with questions and always ask to see photos of their work. Good luck!
Also of those of us with crops would like to post up before and after or just after pics you are more than welcome too. Most vets ask that you bring a photo of what you want your crop to look like.