American Bully Ear Cropping [Quick Facts]

We’re going to explain American Bully ear cropping to you today.

Surgically clipping a puppy’s ears to give them a more upright appearance.

Examining the causes behind ear cropping, as well as how it’s done and the complications it can cause.

Helping you decide whether it’s a suitable fit for your dog or something you should avoid.

American Bully dogs ear cropping is a completely cosmetic operation that can make these dogs appear more vicious, according to the evidence.

Unfortunately, many people already believe that American Bulldogs are deadly dogs, and making them appear more threatening would do little to change that perception.

So, why do the owners want it to keep going?

What Is Ear Cropping and How Does It Work?

It is critical to comprehend just what ear cropping entails.

Vets can use a variety of techniques for certain breeds, depending on the desired appearance.

The floppy section of a puppy’s ears or the ear flap is usually cut off while the dog is anesthetized in an American bully puppy ear cropping.

The ears are then tied to a hard surface for a period of time so that they can grow standing up or so called upright ear.

While there is some discomfort associated with the procedure’s initial recuperation, it is not as long-lasting or harsh as routine surgeries such as spaying/neutering.

Ear cropping is a compassionate augmentation that has no harmful effects on the dog when done carefully under the supervision of a skilled veterinarian.

Cropping Techniques/Ear Cropping Procedure

Ear cropping your pups ears should always be done under general anesthesia and by a professional veterinarian who has conducted this treatment before.

It takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes.

The pinnas are trimmed to a specific length and sutured at the margins.

Bandages will be put around the ears after surgery to ensure that they heal in an upright position.

This bandaging might last anywhere from a few days to several months.

For at least several weeks after the treatment, the dog’s ears will be sensitive and unpleasant.

Medicines are given to help with pain and infection prevention.

What Is the Truth About Bully Ear Cropping Myths in the United States?

When most people think of American bulldogs with ear clipping, they think of fighting dogs or dangerous canines kept on tight chain leads.

The media has helped to foster this notion.

Most American bully owners want the best for their pets, and they’ve discovered that ear cropping has a number of advantages.

The majority of dog owners do not seek augmentations for simply cosmetic reasons, and finding a willing veterinarian for such treatments is practically hard.

Ear cropping is supported by Dog Kennel Clubs around the world for the aim of standardization.

Augmentations are done primarily to improve the life of the dog and are done by skilled professionals.

The purpose of American bulldog ear trimming is not to make the dog appear scary or to create the image of a vicious canine.

This is a fabrication.

Ear cropping is usually done to improve performance or to reduce the risk of future medical problems, such as ear infections.

Why Should You Crop the Ears of Your American Bully?

There are various compelling reasons to adhere to the historical norm, including the fact that it was established for practical purposes rather than aesthetics, as most people believe.

The American bully, for example, has served as a farm guard dog in the past, and trimmed ears might aid in improving hearing.

Another advantage is that they will not be able to get themselves into any difficult circumstances if your American bully has a habit of doing so.

Cropping the ears of certain breeds, such as the American bully, is also thought to improve circulation and make it harder for ear infections to develop by reducing retained moisture in the ear canal.

What Is the Difference Between Home Pets and Show Dogs When It Comes to Ear Cropping?

Many breed standards include features that aren’t always natural for the dog.

The American bully is an example of a breed with various elective surgical choices that can be performed as early as a few weeks of age and have a substantial impact on the dog’s appearance as it grows.

The American Kennel Club “now recognizes 20 breeds with cropped ears,” which means that in a showroom, any dog of those breeds without cropped ears would be judged unfit.

Cropped ears, especially in the Show Crop style, give the dog an alert aspect that many dog breeders find appealing, however this is not the only reason for the surgery.

If an American bulldog is kept as a house pet rather than a show dog, the cropping operation may cause issues with fellow canines and human strangers in the future.

A research from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, for example, “provide[s] evidence that ear clipped and tail docked canines are perceived differently than an identical dog in its’natural’ state.”

Modified dogs were thought to be more aggressive, domineering, less playful, and less appealing than natural canines.”

If you plan to retain the dog or sell it as a family pet, you should be aware that feature changes like ear cropping “have major impacts on how modified canines and their owners are seen by others,” according to the study.

What Effects Does It Have on a Dog’s Ability to Communicate With Other Dogs?

You should be aware of how this augmentation will effect your American bully’s capacity to converse with other dogs because it will affect it for the rest of its life.

Cropped ears and docked tails have been demonstrated to obstruct communication in studies.

Some of the most prominent body language indicators shared by dogs are ear and tail signals.

“Dogs with permanently erected ears or a very short tail lost part of their behavioral repertoire reflected by these physical characteristics,” according to a 2018 study.

With reduced ears, your dog can still enjoy a full, healthy, and happy life.

It also helps to prevent painful chronic ear infections, among other things.

Because this is a permanent procedure, it is critical to consult with your veterinarian and understand the implications of opting for it.

When Should Your American Bully’s Ears Be Cropped?

Cropping an American bully puppy’s ears is best done between the ages of six and twelve weeks, when they are still too young to be completely alert.

When done at a young age, the dog will have no recollection of the event.

When you do the ear cropping, your American bully will be less affected.

Puppies are also considerably easier to control, making adequate post-surgery care much simpler.

Unless it’s a medical necessity, no competent veterinarian will crop an adult dog’s ears.

In most states and countries, attempting to ear crop or cropping ears of an adult dog is considered animal cruelty.

When Cropping the Ears, How Long Does It Take for the Ears to Heal?

Following the removal of the floppy ears, the remaining of the ear will be taped to a hard surface for many weeks in order to heal erect.

The puppy will not be harmed during this time.

It normally takes four to eight weeks for a dog to recover completely and have an erect ears.

There are various stages to the healing process.

After the bandages and sutures are removed from the ears, which can take anywhere from seven to fourteen days, the puppy’s ears are propped in some way and taped in place for another two to four weeks so that their ears heal completely upright, giving them the alert look that most dog breeds standards demand.

Do Veterinarians Crop Ears?

Vets will crop ears for breed standards or medical reasons, but they will usually decline if it is for cosmetic reasons.

The cost of cropped dog varies per veterinarian, but the average is between $150 to $600, while more costly veterinarians do not guarantee better crops.

Before making a decision, do some research about your veterinarian.

What Kinds of Ear Crops Do American Bullies Have?

There are various different bully ear crop styles in the United States.

Shorter ear harvests are preferable for an American bulldog.

The following are some of the styles of cropped dogs ear:

Battle Crop:

the shortest crop, which covers the majority of the ear and exposes the dog to material entering the ear canal.

Its name comes from a time when dog fighting was a popular sport.

The opponent would have little to grip on to throughout the battle because the crop is so near to the skull.

Short Crop:

This crop is a little longer than the preceding one and is the most popular.

This crop is popular among growers since it combines the fight and exhibition crops.

Show Crop:

It’s a crop for show dogs, as the name implies.

Although this crop is not required for your dog to compete in a show, it is what the majority of owners prefer for their show dogs.

The Long Crop:

Also known as the Tall Crop, is the longest variant of the ear crop, leaving around three-quarters of the original ear length behind.

This crop isn’t really popular, and you’ll rarely see an American Bully with it.

What Should You Do After Cropping Your Ears?

After the initial surgery, the cropped ears are bandaged, and your veterinarian will need to renew the bandages on a weekly basis until the ear is totally healed.

The veterinarian will give you specific advice, but here are some general guidelines.

Stop your puppy from causing annoyance to the ears.

Your veterinarian can provide you with a cone.

Clean and administer antibiotics to the puppys ear incisions as directed by your veterinarian without getting the bandages wet.

When scabs appear, bathe the ear in warm water for a few minutes and gently remove them so they don’t obstruct recovery.

If you notice any signs of infection, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

The sutures are usually removed in seven to ten days, but the healing phase might take up to eight weeks.

During this time, make an effort to keep the puppy’s ears clean and free of scratches.

Following the surgery, your veterinarian will administer pain medicine.

Is it Legal in My Area to Crop American Bully Ears?

It’s critical to be aware of the laws and regulations governing breed ear cropping in your area.

Ear cropping is illegal in some nations, and it is regulated in nine American states.

Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are the states in question.

The majority of these American restrictions ensure that the treatments are performed by a qualified veterinarian and that they are not done for merely cosmetic purposes.

Several states have discussed prohibiting augmentations like ear cropping and tail docking, but no such legislation has been passed as of this writing.

Look up regulations in your state and city to stay current.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)