Why Crop American Bully Ears? Facts Behind This Controversial Practice (Answered 2023)

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You’re considering ear cropping for your American Bully, and that’s understandable – they are your beloved companion. As animal lovers, we want what’s best for our dogs. However, research shows that cropping brings no benefits and risks pain.

Your dog’s natural ears are perfect as they are. Together, let’s find ethical ways to care for your pet while respecting their bodily autonomy. What truly matters is their health and your bond. With open minds and hearts, we can make compassionate choices.

The Truth Behind American Bully Ear Cropping Myths

You’ve been sold lies about what’s best for your pup. The myths around ear cropping do a disservice to your canine companion. This unnecessary procedure doesn’t benefit modern pets – it originated to protect fighting dogs.

Your dog’s natural ears are crucial for communication and emotional expression. Cropping impedes their hearing and hinders their ability to convey fear, aggression, and other key signals.

While some claim cropping prevents infections, no scientific evidence supports this. In truth, cropping creates risks of post-op complications and prolonged pain. Your beloved pet relies on you for care and comfort.

Honor your bond by keeping your canine friend whole.

Reasons for Ear Cropping in American Bullies

You likely know that ear cropping in dogs like the American Bully is primarily done for aesthetic reasons and to meet arbitrary breed standards. While historically, it was thought to protect ears in fighting and hunting dogs, today it offers no medical benefits and puts dogs at risk of pain and infection.

Still, myths persist about reducing ear infections, and outdated dogfighting roots have informed desirable cropped shapes like short crops for American Bullies.

Aesthetic

Leastwise, cosmetically cropping your pup’s ears merely mangles their inherent charm.

1. Cropping causes unnecessary pain and risks infection.
2. Ears communicate emotions; cropping impedes this.
3. Cropping is banned in the UK due to animal welfare concerns.
4. Modern dogs do not need cropped ears for protection.
5. Cropping is done for owner preferences, not your dog’s health.

Stand against painful procedures done for vanity alone. As a responsible owner, consider the ethical implications and health risks. While some prize the bully’s cropped style, your dog’s natural ears have their own charm.

Public perception is changing – take a stand for your beloved pup’s welfare and inherent dignity.

Breed Standards

You’d have your American Bully’s ears cropped to better conform to the breed standards some kennel clubs promote. Adhering to arbitrary aesthetic rules ignores evidence-based veterinary ethics and the dog’s welfare.

Hunting & Fighting

Ya cropped ears originated to protect dogs in fightin’ n’ huntin’, though nowadays it’s just for looks n’ tradition.

1. Protects ears when huntin’ prey through thick brush.
2. Reduces risk of ear injuries durin’ fights with other dogs.
3. Thought to enhance hearin’ without floppy ears blockin’ sound.
4. Gives a more fierce, alert appearance for intimidatin’.

Still, croppin’ today is unnecessary for companion dogs livin’ indoors. Natural ears are best for non-huntin’ breeds to express themselves n’ stay healthy.

Ear Infections

Hey now, those croppers claim it prevents ear infections, but there is no proof of that. You feel me? No scientific studies show that cropping reduces infections. Pups use their ears to bond, communicate, and regulate energy.

Altering natural ears risks canine psychology and emotional health, just for show.

How Ear Cropping Affects Home Pets Vs. Show Dogs

While cropping helps show dogs conform, our pets desire whole ears to emote.

1. Cropping limits expression vital to human-animal bonding.
2. Natural ears aid socialization, enrich training, and boost obedience.
3. Intact ears enable clearer communication of needs, thoughts, and moods.

Ear posture and movement reveal canine emotions – joy, attention, fear, stress. Surgical alteration mutes this rapport between owner and pet. Though cropped ears meet breed standards for dog shows, companions at home rely on mobile ears to build bonds.

As thinking, feeling beings, our dogs’ welfare merits preserving the ears nature gave. Rather than cropping for human aesthetics, let’s nurture our best friends whole.

The Impact of Ear Cropping on a Dog’s Ability to Communicate

Removing a dog’s ears can make it harder for them to express themselves and understand each other. A dog’s ears are a vital form of communication between canines. Floppy ears convey important emotional cues like happiness, sadness, fear, and aggression through subtle positioning and movement.

Cropping takes away this nuanced nonverbal expression, hampering a dog’s ability to properly interact with others. Ear position also signals a dog’s mood and intent, helping prevent conflicts. Missing this body language puts cropped dogs at a social disadvantage.

While some claim cropping benefits certain working breeds, most family pets will never hunt or guard. For typical household dogs, floppy natural ears pose no health risks and allow fuller communication.

Removing healthy ears diminishes a dog’s innate capacities and negatively impacts welfare solely for human preference. Rather than alter dogs to fit our ideals, we should celebrate their innate expressiveness and the uniqueness of all breeds.

When to Crop Your American Bully’s Ears

Let that bully’s ears be, friend, for cropping’s a needless attack on communication’s bridge. As a caring companion, consider what your dog gains and loses in cropping her expressive ears.

• Muted mood signals
• Blunted bonding cues
• Deafness to distress calls
• Disconnection from her true nature
• Damage from anesthesia and healing

Rather than following restrictive breed standards that serve human vanity over canine welfare, allow your bully’s ears their natural place. Honor the dignity in her floppy folds. Cherish the language spoken through perked tips.

By preserving your bully’s ears in their natural state, you amplify an intimate bond beyond words.

Aftercare for Cropped Ears

Once your American Bully puppy has undergone the ear cropping procedure, proper aftercare is crucial for minimizing pain and preventing infection as the ears heal.

Immediately following the surgery, the ears will be bandaged and propped up to train them to stand erect. These bandages will need to be changed regularly to keep the incisions clean. Use antiseptic wash when changing dressings to prevent bacteria from entering the wound.

Swelling and discomfort are common during the healing process. Your vet can prescribe pain medication to keep your pup comfortable. Some options include NSAIDs like carprofen or meloxicam. Never give human medications without consulting your vet first.

Soft cone alternatives may help avoid irritating the healing ears. With diligent aftercare over the 4-8 week recovery period, your Bully’s ears can heal properly in the cropped position.

The Healing Process After Ear Cropping

You’ll need to be patient as your pup’s ears heal after cropping. Keep up with the aftercare to avoid infections and make sure those ears stand tall.

The first week is critical. Replace bandages regularly and check for bleeding or fluid buildup. Discomfort may lower appetite initially. Prevent head shaking to avoid reopening wounds. Monitor for redness, swelling, or discharge as the risk of infection peaks around days 3-5.

Anesthesia side effects should resolve after 48 hours. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. The dosage of pain medication is calculated based on weight, so do not exceed the recommendations.

With diligent aftercare, cropped ears take 4-8 weeks to fully heal. Once the bandages are removed, the ears will stand tall. Patience through the healing process allows your pup to safely achieve the desired look.

Veterinary Involvement in Ear Cropping

You’d consult a vet before undergoing the procedure.

While some vets perform ear cropping, many decline due to ethical concerns over performing medically unnecessary cosmetic surgery on dogs. As professionals dedicated to animal health and welfare, vets aim to avoid harm.

Beyond the surgery itself, vets have limited control over complications from improper aftercare once the dog leaves their office.

Rather than banning cropping, vets may better protect dogs by providing owners education on risks, proper aftercare, and alternative options to meet their goals without cropping. Vets can also advocate for higher regulatory standards on cropping and speak out on animal welfare issues.

Since cropping is primarily done for owners rather than benefiting dogs, vets should ensure owners understand its permanent impact on their puppy’s natural form of communication and expression.

Types of Ear Crop for American Bullies

You’ve got options for crop styles with your bully, from battle crops to show crops. When deciding on a crop, consider your dog’s purpose and your personal preference.

Here’s a comparison of common crop styles:

Crop Type	Length	Look	Care
Battle Crop	Very short	1-2 inches left	Minimal aftercare needed for working dogs
Short Crop	Short	2-3 inches left	Most common for American Bullies
Show Crop	Medium	3-5 inches left	Requires diligent aftercare
Long Crop	Long	5-6 inches left	Not preferred for American Bullies

Discuss crop styles with your vet and breeder. Aesthetics matter, but your bully’s health and welfare come first. Be prepared for aftercare with bandaging, antibiotics, and monitoring. While cute, cropping is controversial and banned in many places.

Consider your motivations carefully. Ultimately, a loving home is more important than cosmetic changes.

Legal Considerations for Ear Cropping in Your Area

Before cropping your canine’s ears, research your local laws, as some states regulate or ban the procedure. While proponents view cropping as a harmless tradition that improves breed recognition, there is no evidence supporting medical benefits for modern dogs.

Without regulatory oversight, cosmetic cropping risks normalizing canine mutilation solely for owner preference or conformity to arbitrary breed standards.

Yet loving owners can pursue humane alternatives that prioritize their companions’ health and natural forms of expression. Changing societal perceptions increasingly question cropping’s ethics, given the painful risks that serve no purpose beyond human vanity.

Communities can progress when we question assumptions and choose empathy over domination, starting with how we treat man’s best friend.

Legality matters, but our shared humanity matters more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)