Do Dobermans need their ears cropped? Is it painful or unethical?

Ear cropping is not something I, or many other veterinarians recommend, because it is a painful procedure with potentially serious complications that provides no medical benefit. Ear cropping is only for aesthetics, which has led to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to have the position that it is an unneeded and cruel procedure. Below is a link to more information about ear cropping. https://www.vetinfo.com/dog-ear-cropping-procedures.html Given the strong opposition to ear cropping, it will be difficult to find a vet to do it. If you do find a vet to do it, then you can expect to pay anywhere from $300-$600 for the procedure. I hope that helps and all is well with the puppies.

Hello, if the surgery is done well, with proper pain management, then there will be no noticeable changes to his behavior, height or health. Make sure the surgeon that does the ears has a good track record & has lots of referrals. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Ear cropping is illegal in the UK. You'll likely not find a veterinarian to perform the procedure unless there is a distinct medical need or reason. Protection training should be done by a certified professional. It can take months to years of consistent training to properly (and safely) train a dog for protection work. Contact local trainers for more information.

The ideal age for ear cropping varies by breed. In general, Dobermans and danes are cropped between 7 and 9 weeks of age. Boxers are cropped between 9 and 12 weeks. Pit Bulls are done between 3 and 4 months of age. Smaller breeds like min pins and Miniature Schnauzers are cropped older -- around 4 months of age. In the USA, ear cropping is a personal choice of the dog owner; in some countries the practice is banned. Cropping is an elective surgery with no medical benefit. Its only purpose is cosmetic.

Ears are usually cropped between 8-12 weeks. Some vets won't do it because it is an unnecessary procedure. Surgically changing the conformation of a dog's ears is expensive, painful, and is not always successful. If you aren't going to show him in confirmation shows, there's no reason to put your puppy through ear cropping. Please consult with your veterinarian before putting your puppy through this elective procedure.

Poor Thor! Cropping a dog's ears can be very painful, and seeing a vet would be the best thing for him. Unfortunately, there are no safe human pain medications you can give him, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I would find a vet to see him who can check to make sure his ears are healing correctly, and can prescribe some pain medication for him.

Ear cropping is generally done when puppies are very young, so this is likely the case. It is not usually done on adult dogs or older puppies (and the process is being moved away from on all dogs of any age) unless there is a medical necessity for it.