What Are the Risks of Clipping a Dog's Ears?

The American Kennel Club advocates ear cropping, cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of dog ears, as a breed defining procedure sometimes needed for health reasons. Cropped ears are characteristic of certain recognized breeds, but many individuals and organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), are opposed to the procedure.

  1. Ear Cropping

    • The ear cropping procedure involves removal of an outer rim of the ear flap of a young dog with a knife, scissors or scalpel blade, with the usual intention of causing the remaining ear flap to stand upright. Surgery is followed by extensive repeated bandaging for days to months in some breeds.

    Advantages Claimed

    • Ear cropping advocates claim that cropped ears reduce the likelihood of ear infections and injuries. They also say that cropped ears help define the essential characteristics of a breed, and may serve the functional benefit of creating an alert appearance in guard dogs.

    Problems

    • According to the AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association, disadvantages of ear cropping include risks associated with surgery. Risks include anesthetic complications such as kidney damage or death, bleeding, infection, pain and suffering following surgery, and permanent ear flap damage if surgery does not go well.. Puppies undergoing this surgery are 4 months of age or younger, and separation from their companion dogs, sometimes needed for an extended period of time following surgery, may inhibit their socialization.

    Lack of Studies

    • Studies have not addressed the pros and cons of ear cropping and claims for and against ear cropping are based on anecdotal evidence. Opponents of the procedure base their opinion on the assertion that it is cosmetic in nature and therefore not worth the risks of complications, pain, suffering and potential disfigurement.