Pitbull Cropped Ears vs Natural: Reasons, Why And Should You Crop Your Pitbull Ear?

Last Updated on: 28th November 2023, 07:12 am

Should you crop your pitbull ear?

Well, it depends.

There are some schools of thots that it gives the dog a more rugged appearance, while others claim it is pointless and unnecessary suffering for the animal. 

Some owners believe it will help avoid ear infections, although research has not confirmed this theory. Some owners took this action to shield the dog’s ears during hunting or in combat. 

But what’s the history behind pitbull-cropped ears? 

Is it a legal act? 

Should you crop your pitbull ear or not? 

Whether you’re a pitbull owner or just someone interested in ethical animal standards, this article will address all of your questions and provide you with additional details about pitbull ear crops.

What Type of Dog is a Pit Bull?

The word “pitbull” is used to describe a variety of canine breeds that descend from the Old English Bulldog which was bred into a fighting dog known as the “Bull and Terrier,” which later evolved into the Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and other breeds. All of these breeds are known as “Pitbulls” or “Pitbulls and their Mixes.”

How Does Pitbulls’ Ears Look?

Pitbulls have naturally occurring rosebud ears, which, depending on where the ear cartilage is positioned, might resemble a rose when folded backward. Their innate ears are somewhat similar to those of a Labrador or a Whippet. 

Pitbulls have an amusing appearance when their ears curl forward. For young Pitbull puppies that haven’t yet grown into their enormous, floppy ears, this is especially true. There exist several varieties of Pitbulls, each with distinct ear sizes, hence the size of the outer ear differs from dog to dog.

The History Behind Pitbull Ear Cropping

Prior to the development of modern-day technology, the Romans believed that cropping ears would protect against rabies.

Dogs’ long tails and floppy ears left them vulnerable to damage when they were domesticated for hunting and cattle guarding.

Removing skin flaps reduces the likelihood that the dog may be tightly gripped by a predator or wild animal.

Dog owners would crop their dogs’ ears to offer them the same advantage when dog fighting became a popular pastime.

However, even in the present era, people still follow this tradition, and it is not unusual to see a pet dog with cropped ears even if they are not necessary.

Why Do People Crop Pitbull Ears?

Dog owners who appreciate the way their pit bulls look frequently argue in favor of trimming their ears. Despite their lovable traits, a lot of owners choose to adopt this breed due to their strong, muscular bodies.

It is a myth that this breed is a “manly” dog that can scare away intruders and fend off danger. They are not security dogs, though.

Although a pit bull’s ear shape cannot truly alter its behavior, it can alter people’s impressions of the dog. Pointy-eared dogs are frequently classified as “aggressive” or “dangerous.”

The negative preconceptions that Pitbulls have been wrongly associated with are further highlighted by this line of thinking. The perception that these canines are “dangerous” will be upheld if they are made to appear more aggressive.

Pitbull ear cropping is also frequently done for aesthetic reasons. In the show ring, full-drop floppy ears are not acceptable. The majority of dog owners who want to enter their breed in a conformation show will probably have cropped ears on their canines.

The American Pitbull Terrier is surprisingly expected to have cropped, pointed ears that stand straight.

Should You Crop Your Pitbull Ears or Not?

Since it causes needless suffering to animals for no legitimate medical purpose, ear cropping has been outlawed in several states and nations.

It’s also important to remember that anesthesia carries some medical risks of its own, as some animals may not survive it. 

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the United Kingdom, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) are all against ear cropping.

Dogs have ears that can move independently of one another and in the direction of sound, positioning them in the best possible position for hearing.

To collect sound waves and direct them into the ear canal and toward the eardrum, the outer ear is shaped as follows. Although it’s not confirmed, surgical modifications like ear cropping probably have an impact on hearing.

Dogs utilize their ears to communicate their emotions to us and other animals. Dogs have fewer means of communication with humans when they are devoid of ears.

The ear carriage, or position of a dog’s ears, can indicate to us if the dog is anxious or happy and at ease. It can be more challenging to read a dog’s emotions if its ears are removed.

Puppies run the danger of developing a bad anesthetic reaction or developing infections that could need removal of the entire outer ear and leave them permanently scarred.

Following surgery, the puppy will need follow-up care, including pain medication and bandaging, as they will be in significant pain. There’s also a chance that your dog will have chronic pain or sensitivity.

Are There Any Health Benefits to Cropping Pitbull’s Ears?

The act of trimming a pittie’s ears is debatable since there isn’t any hard data to support its potential benefits. Conversely, ear cropping is uncomfortable and not risk-free.

In the end, the surgery is solely cosmetic, intended to give the owner a desired appearance. The majority of the time, a veterinarian performs the surgery while the dog is unconscious. However, the animal will continue to feel discomfort thereafter. 

Prior to being embraced by the blood sport of dogfighting, ear crop styles were first seen in herding and hunting dogs in history.

Certain people think that since soundwaves reach the dog’s eardrums directly, dogs hear better when the outer flap protecting their ear canal is absent. Nevertheless, this notion is unsupported by any research evidence.

Pitbull owners who advocate for ear cropping frequently cite improved hearing, ear infection prevention, and damage avoidance as benefits of doing so.

Because cut ears give this breed a more threatening appearance, owners seem to appreciate this. Sadly, this serves to reinforce unfavorable perceptions about these kind, loving canines.

While the English Cocker Spaniel breed does not engage in ear cropping, it is well recognized for its propensity to suffer ear canal infections.

Ear cropping is not practiced by all dog breeds with drop or rosebud ears that are prone to ear infections.

In addition, dogs who have their ears cropped may still get ear infections. Ear infections can occur in dogs with naturally elevated ears, such as German Shepherds.

This indicates that the purpose of ear cropping isn’t just to avoid ear infections in dogs, but also to give the animal a particular appearance, making the technique more cosmetic than useful.

Is Pitbull Ear Cropping Legal?

Pitbull ear cropping is prohibited in most nations worldwide due to its perceived brutal nature.

Ear cropping is gradually becoming less common in nearly all of Europe, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada; regions such as Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador are against cosmetic surgery.

In certain nations, like America, it is permissible, and in India, there are no restrictions.

Myths Behind Pitbull Ear Cropping

Many owners claim that there are several health advantages to trimming a Pitbull’s ears.

They think that if you remove the floppy part of your dog’s ear—the pinna—they won’t get ear infections anymore because dogs with floppy ears frequently get them! Although it seems like a good point, this is untrue. It has been demonstrated that trimming a dog’s ears does not make them less susceptible to infections.

Some owners even assert that your dog’s hearing will improve if you remove the part with the floppy ears! Again, though, this is untrue.

The main takeaway is that there is no scientific proof or support for any of these claimed benefits.

Conclusion

Think about your reasons for wanting to crop your Pitbull’s ears before deciding to do so.

The act of Pittbull ear cropping has no proven health benefits. It is an extremely cruel practice that is prohibited in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe. It is surprisingly still legal in the United States.

Are you prepared to face the expenses linked with ear cropping, and the possibility of an unsuccessful surgical procedure?