Ear-Crop Styles for Amstaffs

American Staffordshire Terriers, known as Am Staffs, are stocky breeds with ears that are set high. Purebred Am Staffs may have their ears cropped or uncropped, but the American Kennel Club says that the breed standard preference is for the Am Staff's ears to be cropped. If you want your Am Staff's ears cropped, the procedure should be done when your puppy is between 9- and 12-weeks-old.

  1. Cropped

    • The typical length of an Am Staff's cropped ears are short. Pit bulls and boxers are other breeds that have similar ear-crop lengths. The length is determined by the ear joints. A short ear crop style cuts the ear down to the first joint, whereas longer ear-crop styles take the ear down to the second joint. A cropped ear style on the Am Staff makes the ears come to a point at the top, and the ears stand erect at all times.

    Rose-Ear

    • Rose-ears are acceptable ear styles for the Am Staff, according to the AKC. With this ear-crop style, the ear length is cropped and the ears come out towards the side. The folding of the ear makes the ear look like a folded rose petal, hence its name. Am Staffs with rose ears have sharp, manicured appearances.

    Half-Prick Ears

    • Half-prick ears are when the Am Staff's ears fold down in front. They are still cropped and come to a point at the tip, but the tip points downward over the opening of the ear. This style is also recognized by the AKC as an acceptable ear-cropping style for the Am Staff breed.

    Full Drops and Full Pricks

    • A full drop is an ear style where the Am Staff's ears fold down and droop or drop, without holding any shape. No cropping is done to the tip to make the ears come to a point. Full drops are undesirable ear styles for Am Staffs, according to the AKC. The full prick style is another undesirable ear style for the Am Staff, which is where the ears stand straight up without being shaped or cropped.