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Considering ear cropping: Is my puppy too young for the procedure?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 2 months and 7 days old | 50 lbs

I want to get his ears cropped is it to early

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 7th, 2016

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 10th, 2017
Ear cropping is entirely cosmetic and unnecessary. You are amputating part of the dogs ear pinna solely for how it looks. Unlike spay or neuter which have positive health benefits, ear cropping has no known benefit to the dog. But it is a surgical procedure with the accompanying anesthetic risk, risks of bleeding, or post op infection. Many nations have made this procedure illegal.
If you decide to do it, research carefully to pick a vet that is knowledgeable and has many people happy with results. Ask about anesthesia and if bloodwork is required or fluids given during surgery. Ask about paincontrol during and after the procedure. This should not be an inexpensive surgery- if it is then ask yourself why.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Is ear cropping recommended for my 4-week-old pitbull mix puppies?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What's the ideal age for a dog to have its ears cropped or clipped?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is my 5-month-old English Bulldog puppy too old for ear cropping?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is it safe for a vet to dock my puppy's tail at 8 weeks old?

Docking the tail is a surgical procedure, it is mainly done as a cosmetic surgery which i as many vets are against it if it has no medical reason for it. i really do not recommend having it done for cosmetic purposes, it is an unnecessary surgery that will put your dog at risk and will cause him pain just because some people decided that it has a better look. having it done at 8 weeks is even worse as it is a procedure that needs to be done under full anesthesia and a good-responsible vet will never accept having it done at this age.

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Health & Wellness

My pitbull puppy's ear is itchy. Should I crop his ears or see a vet?

Lycan appears to have a severe ear infection. I recommend making an appointment to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. He/she will likely show you how to clean his ears and send home an ear cleaner that is less irritating than the product you have to clean the ears daily for 7-10 days as well as a steroid/antibiotic/antifungal ointment to be applied daily or twice daily for 7-10 days. There are also other ear infection treatment options where you do not have to treat the ears yourself daily at home that is you can ask your vet about (Osurnia, Otipacks). I do not recommend ear cropping as it is unnecessarily painful for cosmetic reasons. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Will ear cropping hurt my pregnant dog or cause her to lose puppies?

Please please do not have someone who isn't a vet clip Shell's ears! This will be EXTREMELY painful for her, and the stress and pain of this could potentially lead to a miscarriage. In addition, this person will not have access to safe pain medication or anesthesia. This type of procedure should only be done under anesthesia with a vet. I cannot stress enough how painful this procedure is to a dog, and to have it done to Shell by a lay person would be cruel. I very strongly urge you not to have this done at all by a lay person, and only have it done after she has had her puppies and weaned them.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy's ears are standing up. Do I still need ear taping?

Lulu is so adorable! Ear taping is when you actually tape the ears up into position to help them stand up straight. Ear cropping is a surgical procedure (for cosmetic purposes) to get the ears to stay straight up. Typically as dogs age their ears stand up the older they get. Sometimes you will have a dog whose ear may not stand up the way someone will want. If Lulu is just a family dog and just for you and your family to enjoy I wouldn't recommend either procedure since there is no medical reason for doing either of them. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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