Necessary for Pets?
Originally, ear cropping was done on “working” dogs such as terriers or hunting dogs, to save their ears from being injured while they were working. The practice of cropping ears has continued because many dog fanciers feel that the cropped ears complete the look of the dog. Many people are questioning the need for ear cropping: The aspect of animal cruelty comes into play, and many argue that there is no medical, physical, environmental or cosmetic advantage for the dog to have the pinnas (ear flaps) surgically altered. They claim to subject any dog to “disfiguring” and an unnecessary surgical procedure, subsequent taping, and bandaging after the surgery, amounts to animal cruelty and is indefensible.
Others will argue that for some breeds, the cropped ear will help prevent ear canal infections, and make the opportunity for ear infections much less likely. They will state the ear cropping is