The UKC standard accepts natural ears.
Ear clipping, better known as ''cropping'' remains a controversial subject and despite the United Kennel Club calling for natural or cropped ears without preference, many pitbull terrier owners still resort to ear cropping to give this breed its signature look. There are different ear cropping styles in pitbulls and knowing exactly what type is desired is essential, to know exactly what to expect and to pass on the information to your veterinarian.
Definition
Ear cropping is a procedure where practitioners remove portions of the dog's ear flap to allow the ear cartilage to stand erect. In pitbull terriers, ear cropping is mostly for cosmetic reasons, to give the breed a fiercer look. The procedure requires general anesthesia and must be performed when the puppy is between 9 and 12 weeks old. A skilled veterinarian, who will require follow up care, must do the cropping to make the ears stand up correctly.
Short Crops
The shortest crop style is the battle crop. As it name implies, it's ears cut short to prevent an opponent from grasping and holding onto the ear flaps. The biggest disadvantage of this style is it does not allow much protection from insects or debris. Next in line is the short crop, which leaves about two-thirds of the original pitbull's ear.
Medium-Long Crops
The show crop is one of the most popular crops seen in pitbull terriers. It is a medium crop which gives the breed a much more alert and fierce look. Its name means it is often appears in dog shows. The long crop on the other hand, is the longest type of crop available, leaving them with about three-fourths of the ear.
Considerations
Several countries have banned ear cropping and many veterinarians have stopped cropping ears when not medically necessary. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, ear cropping causes pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, can bring accompanying risks of anesthetic complications, hemorrhage, and infection.
Related posts
According to United Kennel Club breed standards, pit bulls can be shown with natural or cropped ears.While there is controversy on the practice of ear cropping, owners of pit bulls often opt to cr...
Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure to force dogs' ears to stand erect.Ear cropping is cosmetic surgery customarily performed on purebred dogs to achieve the "standard" look of a partic...
Pitbull ears are cropped for cosmetic reasons.The purpose of cropping a pitbull's ears is to give the dog a "breed standard look," or the ideal look for the dog as set forth by guideline...
Ear cropping provides a distinctive look on pit bulls. The procedure is done on puppies and has created controversy. Here's a look at some of the pros and cons.Pitbull puppyFunctionEar cropping is...
The American Pitbull Terrier has short fur and a stocky build.There are various types of Pitbulls, one of which is the American Pitbull Terrier. Its physical characteristics are very similar to ot...
