What Is Dog Ear Cropping? Methods and Precautions Explained

For some dogs, ear cropping surgery must be performed to make them look more majestic or better-looking, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Pit Bulls, and other dogs. In fact, for some breeds, ear cropping, like tail docking, is a traditional custom; without ear cropping, inexperienced people will think the dog is not purebred. Ear cropping is the removal of the drooping part of the dog's ear so that the ear stands erect, making it more full of dignity and charm. When cropping a dog's ears, it is best to do it at 2 months of age, and the cropping varies according to the breed. The width of the dog's face, the length of the head and the position where the ears grow must be fully considered to determine the most suitable part for cropping, and the operation can be compared with the traditional appearance of that breed. The ear cropping surgery is best performed at a pet hospital; dog owners with surgical experience can also perform it at home. During the surgery, first restrain the dog properly, clip the hair at the surgical site and disinfect routinely, apply local infiltration anesthesia, use a scalpel to cut open the skin at the predetermined resection site, bluntly separate the gap between the skin and cartilage and separate upward about 2 cm, after removing the cartilage the skin naturally forms a sleeve, stop the bleeding thoroughly, sprinkle on anti-inflammatory powder and then suture it. To prevent the dog from scratching the wound, it must be wrapped with gauze and absorbent cotton, and the outside bandaged with a roll bandage (ear bandage) to fix it; the surgical site can heal in about one week.