Cropping a 12mo. old Pitbulls Ears????

Question

I bought a $3,000 pure-bred show pitbull as a 8 week old puppy, becuase of health issues I had to give the puppy to a family member for raising until my health improved. I now have the dog back with me and he is now 12 months old. I want to still get his ears cropped because I plan on showing him at dog shows. Is it ok to crop a 12month old dog ears assuming it was done under proper proffesional medical treatment, anethesia etc.?? I have heard it is ok and that all the myths about how it is not possible without hurting the dog because it has matured is not true. Can someone with a real proffesional answer please clarify this becuase I have a champion show dog and I really want to get this done.

Answer 1

Here are the AKC Standards on American Staffordshire Terrier for their head.



Head
Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set high. Ears - Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized. Eyes - Dark and round, low down in skull and set far apart. No pink eyelids. Muzzle - Medium length, rounded on upper side to fall away abruptly below eyes. Jaws well defined. Underjaw to be strong and have biting power. Lips close and even, no looseness. Upper teeth to meet tightly outside lower teeth in front. Nose definitely black.

This is UKC standards for AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER.


EARS - Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped without preference. If natural, semi-prick or rose are preferred. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired.

So it is not standard to crop for show. I don't think it's worth putting your dog through that pain. God Bless!

Answer 2

At 4 months old your puppy is at the upper age limit for cropping. The maximum for the APBT's short crop is generally 16 weeks old, but earlier would have been better. After that there is a much higher risk that the crop will not stand properly. As for the cost cropping typically runs $250-450 perhaps a bit higher for a laser crop. Cropping is not the place to bargain hunt. Many vets that crop don't know how to crop properly. It is as much as art form as a medical procedure. The vet has to match the crop the the breed and the dogs head shape, a poor quality crop will ruin a dogs appearance. Also despite what some posters have stated cropping is not cruel or torture etc. It is no more cruel or torturous than any other properly done medical procedure

Answer 3

You probably won't find a vet to do it. Though many have talked about ear cartlidge you also have to consider how much more painful it will be at this stage. Being that the cartlidge is set cutting into it will be worse. Not to mention at that age the amount of blood vessels and the size of the blood vessel now the cropping will be much more invasive shall I say.

No matter how you do it it is going to be painful to a dog. I've seen them done. Let's just say the image that is stuck in my head is of a puppy waking up and banging its head against the cage because it had no idea what was causing the pain. It peed on itself to because it was terrified.

It is a decision you as the owner will have to make. Is the pain to your dog worth an expense you are willing to take for your own wishes?

Personally I would let it just be your wonderful pet. You list the price of the dog as if it were a huge expense that needs to be made up. Cropping and showing costs money too so $3000 isn't much.

Answer 4

first i have to say i hate that the breed standard calls for this and although they say they do not have to be cropped in order to show, well good luck winning without cropping them. it's just awful. but back to your question. sorry. vets that do this are getting harder to find, you're going to have to call your breeder or the breed club to find one they would reccomend. and i am sorry to tell you that there is no way to avoid pain. it will hurt the dog. you are removing a part of the body that has a very heavy blood and nerve supply. a vet that knows how to do this can eleminate some of the pain and the dog will have to be anestitised and pain meds given after the surgery. plus all the care that's going to be required on your part. and i know i'm going to get lots of thumbs down. and this answer goes against anything i've ever said. but your question is one of intelligence and well researched and you are giving a reason for it. and so it requires a different answer. good luck in the show ring. hopefully one day breed clubs will allow these dogs to show and win for their natural appearance and not altered. but until then what are you to do?


the way a pits ears are cropped for showing is completely different than other dogs. it is very close to the head and comes to a point. there is usually not too much of a problem with getting them erect. they are not done like a dobie's, boxer's or dane's.

Answer 5

Your dog's ears are far past the stage at which they can be cropped and still stand. You are better off showing him with his natural ears than taking him in with cropped ears that will not stand. His ears have already set and the only way you could possibly have them stand is with implants which a judge can spot a mile a way and which would get him disqualified.

Answer 6

As a former Doberman breeder, I am sure you will not even find a vet to do it after 13 weeks, as the ears will not stand, and they look very funny with the tips flopping to the side..
APBTs and Staforshire Terriers both commonly show, and do very well in the ring with natural ears. It is against the rules for judges to discriminate because of natural ears, and some judges even prefer them..So, go ahead and show your dog..
As he hasn't been trained to show, from puppyhood, you are likely to have quite a time developing his show etiquette, but it certainly can be done. The very best way is to join your local kennel club and meet with the handler classes with him..This affords hm the socialization and skills he needs to be successful in the ring.
check out these sites to see them winning in the ring with natural ears> http://www.moonstruckstaffords.com/Pica.htm
Number one ***** in 1999> http://community-2.webtv.net/djsstaffbulls/DJSSTAFFORDSHIRE/

Answer 7

the only way to know for sure is to talk to a vet not people here. Some dog associations do not allow cropped ears. So if you want to show him be sure to check with the association that you will be showing him in, to be sure that it is OK to show with cropped ears.

Answer 8

OF COURSE it can be cropped!!!!
DUH???
You may have a more difficult time getting a perfect result but keep up w/the correct after care & it'll be fine.

Don't bother listening to the MORONIC AR/humaniac/peta-NUTZ,OK??
It's NO BIG DEAL!!!
Er..you do NOT have a"champion show dog" until AFTER it's FINISHED!!!! You only have a "show PROSPECT"...if that.

Answer 9

I would think that it would NOT be possible but stop by your vet and ask them. They would be the real experts. I would not call on this question, I would want to see their face when they answer. Good Luck to you and your pet.

Answer 10

Thank god its too late you moron i'd like to see your ears pinned back, I'm glad they banned it in Australia another reason I'm a proud aussie.