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. com/6an4ze
Issues in animal welfare
Backgrounder: Welfare implications of Dogs: Ear Cropping
October 13, 2008
THE ISSUE
Some breeds of dogs in the United States customarily have their ears
reduced with a blade or scissors to modify their shape and, in some
cases, allow a naturally drooping ear to stand upright. Cropping is
performed when dogs are between 6 and 12 weeks old depending on breed
and body condition. In larger breeds, after surgery the ears are
positioned with tape, bandages or other devices to encourage an upright
position.1,2, 3 Well-controlled studies addressing the animal welfare
implications of cropping dogs' ears do not exist. However case studies
support certain risks associated with the procedure.
WELFARE CONCERNS—RISKS
General anesthetic—Cropping should always be carried out under full
anesthesia, which itself has associated risks.
Postoperative Care—Dogs will experience some discomfort during healing,
stretching, re-taping and bandaging, and other manipulations after
surgery. Some will need their ears bandaged or taped upright for days to
months and they may be isolated from other dogs during this period.
Potential Complications— As for any incision, cropped ears may become
infected. Cropped ears may also fail to stand or have a distorted shape
or position potentially leading to subsequent operations.4, 5,6
REASONS GIVEN FOR THE PRACTICE
Animal Benefits—It has been suggested that dogs with cropped ears are
less likely to suffer from infections of the ear canal. Although the
development of some serious infections has been linked to the presence
of a heavy hanging ear5, there is no evidence that cropping prevents or
successfully treats these conditions. It has also been suggested that
cropping avoids later ear injury8 or improves hearing, but no evidence
is available to substantiate these claims either.
Human Benefits—Ear cropping produces an alert expression in dogs used
for security or guard work and may contribute to the distinctive
appearance of a pedigree breed.9
LEGISLATION AND ACCEPTABILITY
The American Kennel Club supports owners who choose to crop: "...ear
cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain
breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and
preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health."17 However,
dogs with cropped ears may not compete in United Kingdom Kennel Club
events.18
Many veterinary organizations oppose cosmetic cropping including the
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)11 and Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association (CVMA). Individual veterinarians differ in their
perspectives (e.g., letters8,14, 15,16).
Cropping has been deemed unacceptable in the United Kingdom for more
than a century10 and is currently prohibited in Australasia and most
European and Scandinavian countries, as well as in the state of Maine.
SUMMARY
Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure with potential negative outcomes
for the animal.
REFERENCES
1. Jensen HE. Ear Trimming. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1950;116:428- 31.
2. Leonard HC. Ear Cropping by Triangulation. J Am Vet Med Assoc
1958;133:108- 10.
3. Hancock WB. Ear-cropping Technic. Vet Med Small Anim Clin
1968;63:860- 865.
4. Vine LL. Corrective ear surgery. Vet Med Small Anim Clin
1974;69:1014- 1020.
5. Sauer BW. Correction of faulty ear carriage in the dog with porous
polyethylene implants. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1976;71:1071- 1075.
6. Burns CC. Surgical technique for correcting ear trims. J Am Vet Med
Assoc 1951;118:93- 5.
7. Harvey C. Ear canal disease in the dog: medical and surgical
management. J Am Vet Med Ass 1980;177:136- 139.
8. Jacobs FS. Ear trimming in dogs [letter] J Am Vet Med Assoc
1990;196:679- 680.
9. Stone RW. More on ear cropping and neutering [letter] J Am Vet Med
Assoc 2000;216:174.
10. Hobday FTG. Surgical Diseases of the Dog and Cat 1906 Baillière,
Tindall and Cox: London
11. AHAA Reference detail. Ear Cropping/Tail Docking Position Statement.
Available at:
. aahanet.org/ eweb/DynamicPage .aspx?site= resources& webcode=referenc eDetail&postKey= 409665b4- 0d4e-4b71- b8e8-019fcffa1b4 d
Accessed December 4, 2007.
12. California State Senate Website. AB 418 Assembly Bill - Bill
Analysis Available at:
. sen.ca.gov/ pub/05-06/ bill/asm/ ab_0401-0450/ ab_418_cfa_ 20050404_ 112819_asm_ comm.html
Accessed July 18, 2007.
13. Gumbrell RC. Canine ear cropping. New Zealand Vet J 1984;32:119- 119.
14. Longair JA. A plea against ear cropping [letter] Can Vet J 1980;21:280.
15. Humble JA. More comments on letters about JAVMA cover art [letter] J
Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:1382.
16. Connell DL. More comments on letters about JAVMA cover art [letter]
J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:1382.
17. American Kennel Club. Canine Legislation Position Statements
www.akc. org/canine_ legislation/ position_ statements. cfm#earcropping
Accessed December 5, 2007.
18. The Kennel Club. Competing with docked or cropped dogs in the UK.
Available at: www.thekenne lclub.org. uk/item/979. Accessed
December 5, 2007.
This information has been prepared as a service by the American
Veterinary Medical Association' s Animal Welfare Division. Redistribution
is acceptable, but the document's original content and format must be
maintained, and its source must be prominently identified.
. com/6an4ze
Issues in animal welfare
Backgrounder: Welfare implications of Dogs: Ear Cropping
October 13, 2008
THE ISSUE
Some breeds of dogs in the United States customarily have their ears
reduced with a blade or scissors to modify their shape and, in some
cases, allow a naturally drooping ear to stand upright. Cropping is
performed when dogs are between 6 and 12 weeks old depending on breed
and body condition. In larger breeds, after surgery the ears are
positioned with tape, bandages or other devices to encourage an upright
position.1,2, 3 Well-controlled studies addressing the animal welfare
implications of cropping dogs' ears do not exist. However case studies
support certain risks associated with the procedure.
WELFARE CONCERNS—RISKS
General anesthetic—Cropping should always be carried out under full
anesthesia, which itself has associated risks.
Postoperative Care—Dogs will experience some discomfort during healing,
stretching, re-taping and bandaging, and other manipulations after
surgery. Some will need their ears bandaged or taped upright for days to
months and they may be isolated from other dogs during this period.
Potential Complications— As for any incision, cropped ears may become
infected. Cropped ears may also fail to stand or have a distorted shape
or position potentially leading to subsequent operations.4, 5,6
REASONS GIVEN FOR THE PRACTICE
Animal Benefits—It has been suggested that dogs with cropped ears are
less likely to suffer from infections of the ear canal. Although the
development of some serious infections has been linked to the presence
of a heavy hanging ear5, there is no evidence that cropping prevents or
successfully treats these conditions. It has also been suggested that
cropping avoids later ear injury8 or improves hearing, but no evidence
is available to substantiate these claims either.
Human Benefits—Ear cropping produces an alert expression in dogs used
for security or guard work and may contribute to the distinctive
appearance of a pedigree breed.9
LEGISLATION AND ACCEPTABILITY
The American Kennel Club supports owners who choose to crop: "...ear
cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain
breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and
preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health."17 However,
dogs with cropped ears may not compete in United Kingdom Kennel Club
events.18
Many veterinary organizations oppose cosmetic cropping including the
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)11 and Canadian Veterinary
Medical Association (CVMA). Individual veterinarians differ in their
perspectives (e.g., letters8,14, 15,16).
Cropping has been deemed unacceptable in the United Kingdom for more
than a century10 and is currently prohibited in Australasia and most
European and Scandinavian countries, as well as in the state of Maine.
SUMMARY
Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure with potential negative outcomes
for the animal.
REFERENCES
1. Jensen HE. Ear Trimming. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1950;116:428- 31.
2. Leonard HC. Ear Cropping by Triangulation. J Am Vet Med Assoc
1958;133:108- 10.
3. Hancock WB. Ear-cropping Technic. Vet Med Small Anim Clin
1968;63:860- 865.
4. Vine LL. Corrective ear surgery. Vet Med Small Anim Clin
1974;69:1014- 1020.
5. Sauer BW. Correction of faulty ear carriage in the dog with porous
polyethylene implants. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1976;71:1071- 1075.
6. Burns CC. Surgical technique for correcting ear trims. J Am Vet Med
Assoc 1951;118:93- 5.
7. Harvey C. Ear canal disease in the dog: medical and surgical
management. J Am Vet Med Ass 1980;177:136- 139.
8. Jacobs FS. Ear trimming in dogs [letter] J Am Vet Med Assoc
1990;196:679- 680.
9. Stone RW. More on ear cropping and neutering [letter] J Am Vet Med
Assoc 2000;216:174.
10. Hobday FTG. Surgical Diseases of the Dog and Cat 1906 Baillière,
Tindall and Cox: London
11. AHAA Reference detail. Ear Cropping/Tail Docking Position Statement.
Available at:
. aahanet.org/ eweb/DynamicPage .aspx?site= resources& webcode=referenc eDetail&postKey= 409665b4- 0d4e-4b71- b8e8-019fcffa1b4 d
Accessed December 4, 2007.
12. California State Senate Website. AB 418 Assembly Bill - Bill
Analysis Available at:
. sen.ca.gov/ pub/05-06/ bill/asm/ ab_0401-0450/ ab_418_cfa_ 20050404_ 112819_asm_ comm.html
Accessed July 18, 2007.
13. Gumbrell RC. Canine ear cropping. New Zealand Vet J 1984;32:119- 119.
14. Longair JA. A plea against ear cropping [letter] Can Vet J 1980;21:280.
15. Humble JA. More comments on letters about JAVMA cover art [letter] J
Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:1382.
16. Connell DL. More comments on letters about JAVMA cover art [letter]
J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:1382.
17. American Kennel Club. Canine Legislation Position Statements
www.akc. org/canine_ legislation/ position_ statements. cfm#earcropping
Accessed December 5, 2007.
18. The Kennel Club. Competing with docked or cropped dogs in the UK.
Available at: www.thekenne lclub.org. uk/item/979. Accessed
December 5, 2007.
This information has been prepared as a service by the American
Veterinary Medical Association' s Animal Welfare Division. Redistribution
is acceptable, but the document's original content and format must be
maintained, and its source must be prominently identified.