Cropped Ears February 26, 2008

   Shabah’s natural ears     comparison 

Several breeds of dogs will often have their ears “cropped” as puppies, 7-9 wks old. This means the ears have been surgically trimmed into a triangle shape and taped to stays or devices to help them stand up. Today cropping is falling into disfavor amongst dog owners and veterinarians.

There are some with very strong opinions about cropping and not cropping. Like most things were deep emotion is involved, the arguments can get disrespectful. I’ve been told I “mutilate” my dogs, that I am an abuser…that’s a very extreme sort of attitude and not productive. I’ve also heard cropping advocates be equally hateful back. There is no reason for that sort of nastiness from either camp.

I’m not ideological about anything much, preferring to let people decided for themselves what is best for them and their dogs. There are legitimate reasons on both sides, and the decision to crop or not is a personal one. The only surgery I’m ideological about is spay/neutering, and not because I feel a certain way: because casual breeders and puppy mills have done enough damage to the overall health and temperment of Great Danes.

Originally, cropping in Danes was done to prevent painful and infection prone wounds to the hunting dog, from the tusks of wild boars and claws of bears. I don’t think anyone uses Danes to hunt wild boar these days, but the cropping is still done. From some of the comments and emails I’ve gotten, I think I will explain why.

My service dog Kenai is cropped for several reasons. Those long soft natural ears get caught in things, living in the country. Barbed wire fences, wild roses and blackberries…and with all the packs, harnesses, and equipment he’ll wear as a service dog, there will be ample opportunity for getting cut or torn ears. 

Natural ears are a nice large target for the teeth and claws he is likely to encounter at some point in his life: snakes, groundhogs, wild turkeys, ferrile cats, bobcats, and even the occational black bear or mountain lion from the national forest nearby. Feet can be moved quickly, but ears don’t move away so fast. I’ve had dogs hurt by groundhogs, snakes, and barbed wire. It was the uncropped ears that got the worst of it. 

I don’t want Kenai to be injured, and injury is a real possibility, considering he is quite the bull elephant. His brother would run away from danger, but Kenai would charge in ready to protect his brother or any of the human family. At all of 4 months old he chased off a neighbor’s dog that was growling at my 2 year old neice while I was pulling weeds on the other side of the yard. So yeah, my bold puppies get cropped.

Natural ears also have problems with crease sores and blood blisters, mites, and ear infections. Some ears are heavier and longer than others, and they can have lots of problems. I had one Dane with heavy ears who ripped off scabs from his blood blisters, and sprayed the floors, walls, and ceilings with blood for over six months before we got them healed. They returned throughout his life. His crease sores never did heal, despite all the care. Another Dane had his ears cleaned every single day trying to prevent his frequent infections. So my puppies with thick ear leather get cropped too.

One argument against cropping is that it is painful. I have heard puppies yelp when tape is removed from a fresh crop, and I’m sure that there is discomfort for a couple weeks. But done properly, the taping and suture removal does not cause crying. And the pain does not persist. It is no worse than the spay/neuter surgery, or dew claw removal. And certainly not as painful as healing a shredded ear.

I am very fussy about who does the surgery, and equally as fussy about how gentle and quick the vet is that retapes. I don’t like to hear a puppy cry! Is it a necessary surgery, no. Is it severely painful? No, not in comparison with orthopedic or abdominal surgeries that Kenai’s littermate BB will have to endure. 

BB  will not be cropped. BB had 2 massive hernias repaired at 3 weeks old, he’s looking at several surgeries to return use of a hind leg, and I don’t feel that a cosmetic surgery would be appropriate for him. Especially considering how close he came to dying, and the fact that cropping is not a “necessary” surgery. Luckily he isn’t as adventurous as his brother, so he doesn’t go ripping through wild rose bushes and would run away from a snake. All the same, we will have to watch him more closely.

Another argument against it are that it is “purely vanity”. I disagree somewhat with that for the reasons above. Yes, there is the issue of appearance and personal preference. But there can and are medical problems with natural ears. Myself, I really prefer a fawn Dane to be cropped, and that is for appearance. At the same time, I prefer the blacks and other colors uncropped because they are less intimidating to approach for most people. That is also for appearance’s sake.

There can be problems with cropped ears as well, if it is not done well. One of my Danes had an ear that “flopped” where the ear naturally creased to bend. As with any surgery, infection can also occur. Ear cropping is an artful surgery. Once cut to narrow or too long, there is no fixing it. And I do not retape: I leave that to the practice and expertise of a vet.

So if you are going to crop your Dane’s ears, research the vets that crop. Ask show breeders who they use, and if they’ve had any “unsuccessful” crops with that vet.  And insist that they follow the surgery guidelines for Great Danes from the Great Dane Club of America. ( www.greatdanelady.com )

I always ask for a medium crop, because that length stands easier. I don’t show my dogs, so I don’t want the extended taping time of a long show crop, which can be months or up to two years. Puppies that are cropped after 10 weeks can also take longer to stand nicely. Kenai was cropped when I got him, and it is a show crop. 11 wks later, he still can’t hold them up for more than 3 days, which is normal for a show crop. Such is life.