Pitbull Ear Clipping Styles

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.

  1. 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.