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Definition
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Ear cropping is a surgical procedure where parts of a dog's ears are removed in order to stay erect. This procedure is done by a veterinarian under general anesthesia when the puppy is about 9 to 12 weeks old.
Considerations
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An ear crop surgery requires a skilled veterinarian and owners willing to follow up on care. If you're unsure on which style of ear crop to choose, showing the vet a picture of a pit bull featuring the desired crop is a good idea.
Battle Crop
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Battle crop is the shortest ear crop available. However, because this type of crop cuts the dog's ears really low, it does not allow much protection from insects or debris.
Short Crop
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A short crop leaves two-thirds of the ear. Short crop is the second type of ear crop. It is a little bit longer than the battle crop. This crop leaves about two-thirds of the original ear.
Show Crop
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The show crop is one of the most requested ear crops for pit bulls. It is a medium crop and gives the dog an overall alert look.
Long Crop
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A long crop leaves three-fourths of the ear. This is the longest ear crop available for pit bulls. This type of ear cropping leaves about three-fourths of the original length of the ear.
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Pit Bull Ear Cropping Styles
While there is controversy on the practice of ear cropping, owners of pit bulls often opt to crop their dogs' ears to give them their signature look. There are different styles of ear crops in pit bulls, so owners should know exactly what they are looking for.