Dog owners crop the ear of their pooch to make them attractive or fierce. The question “whether ear cropping a dog is necessary or cruel” remains a hot topic for debate. Nonetheless, most of the owners decide to do it.
Dog owners decided to crop their dog’s ears at a very young age. The surgical practice of trimming a dog’s ear to the desired shape is called otoplastry. Otoplastry is a process that requires time, patience and skill. The procedure, if not done correctly can induce psychological trauma in addition to pain.
As a dog owner who is keen to crop the respective puppy’s ears, it is ideal to be knowledgeable about some of the frequently asked questions regarding Otoplastry.
Should I crop the ear of my puppy?
This is a personal decision, you should bear in mind that ear cropping may not be the right choice to enhance the appearance of your puppy. The process of trying to surgically alter a dog’s ear might not be successful all the time. It is ideal to consult a veterinarian prior to deciding on the same. A veterinarian can provide you in-depth information regarding the pros and cons of ear cropping with respect to your puppy breed, age, size and health statistics.
What is the best age for cropping my puppy’s ears?
The best age to crop a dog’s ear varies with factors like breed, age, and size of the puppy. Puppies within 12-16 weeks and weighing between 15-20 pounds is the ideal candidates for Otoplastry.
How long does it take to see the results?
Post ear cropping surgery, your puppy needs 4 or 5 taping treatments to see the result. The taping appointments are usually scheduled within a period of 4 to 6 months. Ideally, after a perfect crop, you should start seeing the results in not more than 6 months.
Again, the factors like the breed, the length of the crop and genetics can play a crucial role in determining how soon the ears of your puppy will stand. The aftercare is critical and we strongly advice the owners to not miss any taping appointments.
Is it guaranteed that the cropped ear will stand erect?
The success rate of puppy ear cropping procedure is high. However, there are some rare occasions, where you might not find the desired results.
Some of the scenarios that lead to this condition are:
- The length of the ear crop is too long
- The ear cartilage is too weak to support the weight
- Scar tissue formation on the ear
Is ear cropping banned?
Year cropping and tail docking are not banned, however, the ethics of Otoplastry has been in question for the past couple of years, especially in United States. As a matter of fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association passed a rule in 2008 opposing the cropping of ears and tails of puppies, especially when it is done for the aesthetic factor.
Puppy ear cropping can be a painful procedure, that requires dedicated aftercare and regular veterinary visits. It is ideal to consider your motive regarding ear cropping your puppy at least twice prior to deciding to go ahead with the procedure.