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History on Ear Cropping

Discussion in 'Dog Discussion' started by mfern004, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. mfern004

    mfern004 Big Dog

    I want to know the truth about ear cropping. Depending on who you talk to, you'll hear all kinds of shit, some makes sense, some doesn't. I wasn't around pre-1976 to have any first hand experience, and I'd bet neither were the people circulating some of this info. Any old-timers care to set the record straight? Here are some of the "rumors":

    1. Ear cropping serves no purpose and is only done for aesthetics.

    2. Ear cropping was done on a fighting dog to prevent opponents from getting holds on his ears, and to avoid having them damaged.

    3. Ear cropping is detrimental to fighting dogs because it exposes the inner part of the ear which is very vascular and bleeds heavily.

    4. Natural ears are preferred over cropped ears in a contest as they give the opponent something non-vital to hold.

    I've seen photos of winners and CH dogs with ears ranging from VERY short crops to hound-dog ears. You can find very old pictures of Colby dogs with cropped ears. So what's the deal?
     
  2. wardogkennels

    wardogkennels Top Dog

    1,3, and 4:)
     
  3. Jelet

    Jelet Banned

    Never heard of 3. before... Got any sources to back #3 up?

    "3. Ear cropping is detrimental to fighting dogs because it exposes the inner part of the ear which is very vascular and bleeds heavily."
     
  4. wardogkennels

    wardogkennels Top Dog

    Let one get that big canine fang in the ear and see what that will do to your dog. Bleeds and hurts them like a motha!

     
  5. Blau

    Blau Big Dog

    This is actually pretty interesting... I didn't know which ones were true, thanks Wardog.
     
  6. bdub

    bdub Top Dog

    this is great ive always wondered why all of the old dogs still had normal ears(as opposed to cropped)
     
  7. I've always believed that a cropped ear effects the dogs equilibrium, so I've never had it done.
     
  8. tony413

    tony413 Big Dog

    hygine wise cropped ears are easier to clean an dont smell as bad as natural ears because of the air circulation, atleast thats what the vet said. i told her i will keep my dogs ears natural (APBT) the dogo however has cropped ears which wasnt my choice to have done :(.
     
  9. Jrouble

    Jrouble Big Dog

    Theres some really interesting studies that have been done on cropping and docking that came up with some scary fucking conclusions when it came to this.

    In a nutshell - docking = shortening the length of a dogs spine (the tail is an extension of the spine) and whilst it can be more pronounced in some dogs than others, at the very least, it effect gait 99.9% of the time. Cropping does effect balance as well, because the ears are filled with capilaries that circulate blood through the ear canal and then back through, making sure its always kept cool... the ears being very thin cool blood quickly, so blood passes through the ear canal and heats up, goes through the ear, cools down and goes back through, keeping everything at a nice temperature. Dogs with cropped ears, have a higher tendency to wobble around, fall over, stumble, trip, land awkwardly etc when hot.

    I'll see if I can find the original articles, was really interesting - none of my dogs have ever been cropped or docked, apart from one stud dog I bought as an adult that already had it done.
     
  10. BRONXXX

    BRONXXX Big Dog

    Great post!

    ...Ive also heard its beneficial because it gives the dog a better sense of hearing, anyone else hear anything like that? :confused:
     
  11. Jelet

    Jelet Banned

    yes. please do find the articles if you get a chance. Would love to read the sources behind that. interesting stuff.
     
  12. Jrouble

    Jrouble Big Dog

    I found part of it:

    I remembered another part of it, the reason it causes problems, is because the dog resorts to a "spread" stance because of the lack of a tail to counter balance, which then causes a chain reaction of shit to happen to its joints etc.

    I'm still digging around trying to find the rest, I know I have it somewhere... grrrrr i hate that when you know you have a copy of something but cant find it hahaha
     
  13. mfern004

    mfern004 Big Dog

    Thank you, this is all good information.

    So, since no one seems to find any benefit from ear cropping, why was it done way back then when the dogs weren't just bred to be pretty? Its not a new endeavor taken on by show breeders as you can find hundred-year-old pictures of gamedogs with cropped ears.
     
  14. mw9661

    mw9661 Pup

    Good post J. I never liked cropping or docking although all the boxers we've had were allready docked by the breeder :( .
     
  15. Jrouble

    Jrouble Big Dog

    There is 2 sides to every story.

    In some breeds, where fibrous ears are prevalent, it reduces the risk of cancer and cystic growths, it also helps handlers keep them clean and free of infection.

    Some also prefer it from a function point of view, thinking its one less place an opponent can put a hold on. Others look at it like better off an ear hold than a more vital one so leave em be.

    Personal preference.

    Plus another interesting note, its only been since the 90's really, that anyone looked into the effects these practises had on the animals from a scientific/vetiranary point of view.

    Way back when, the pro's of, less cancer/cists and easier cleaning... were the only things people knew, they might not have known about the blood circulation and cooling, equilibrium changes etc.

    We're just lucky enough to have learnt about it by now.

    I'm not fully against ear cropping or docking don't get me wrong... I don't choose to do it to my dogs, for various reasons, but if another person does, its not like I think they are a monster. There are pro's and cons - most people just don't even know what they are.

    Thats what pisses me off, making decisions when you're uninformed. If you know what you're talking about and choose 1 way or the other, power to ya man.
     
  16. PurePit19

    PurePit19 CH Dog

    Take Wardogs word for it, trust me, keep them damn ears were there at. lol JMO
     
  17. PurePit19

    PurePit19 CH Dog

    I have a book that said something similar, but its something that doesnt happen often. These are things that can happen, but very rarely ever do. I cropped one dogs ears and i regret it till this day, never do it again. Although, i would crop instead of keeping rabbit ears. i cant stand rabbit ears on a APBT, i'd have to cut them off for that. JMO
     
    Rollsroyce likes this.
  18. Laced Wit Game

    Laced Wit Game Yard Boy

    yea my gramps always told me to leave theyre ears alone.
     
  19. nonstopfl

    nonstopfl Pup

    Ear cropping in pitbulls was only done when the ears got shreaded up during matchs way back in the day. But over time people thought that it made them look tougher or look better and started doing it for the look instead of the need.
     
  20. scooter

    scooter Big Dog

    woohoo!!!!somebody finally got it right!!
     

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