why do people crop dog´s ears??? I have no clue what it means and why it is being done?

Answer 1

Actually, most people who have their dog's ears cropped do it for ascetics. Same reason why some people have their dog's tails snipped.

Answer 2

I am going to use the Doberman Pinscher as an example. The Dobie was originally cropped (part of ears removed) and docked (part of tail removed) because the dog was created strictly to defend its owner, and when the dog was defending another animal or a human could use the Doberman's long, floppy ears and extra long tail as "handles" and severely injure the dog (pulling the ears or tail or biting and ripping them).
There is also medical reasons for cropping a dog. An uncropped Dobe can shake its head too hard, making its ears slap against its head. If the shake is too hard, the tips of the ears can bleed. With cropping or naturally erect-eared dogs this doesn't happen. Also, a dog with erect ears generally has cleaner ears. Dirty ears can result in a foul odor and infections which is not a fun thing for the dog.
Cropping and docking is not painful for the dog at all as long as the procedure is correctly done. No one should crop their own dog's ears, only a vet should.
There is also

Answer 3

The cropping of ears on dogs is a truly cosmetic thing. The veternarian that does it by shortening the dogs ears to a point so that they stand up. As for the reasons that people do it is:
1) The dog's safty (cropping tails)
2) To make guard dogs look more vicious
3) So the hunting dogs fur won't get snagged in the bushes while hunting.
4) So the dogs would make smaller targets when pit bull fighting (which is illegal)
5) Some breeds are more acceptable with cropped ears (ex. Great Danes)

Answer 4

Okay, here it goes. At one time in history cropping a dog's ear had a purpose. Dogs were bred to do work (some still do but many are companion dogs instead). Many terriers have cropped ears because they were bred to hunt vermin. Floppy ears gave the vermin something to bit and tear and hurt the dog and made the dogs less effective at their jobs. So owners decided the way to remove this vunderable trait was to "make" the ears erect and the way to do that was cropping. Dogs that had their ears cropped at the time have become recognized by cropped ears and look "odd" without it. And because of this many breeders continue to have their dogs ears cropped. Many vets will not crop a dog's ear because it is difficult to make each ear look identical and mainly due to it being an "unnecessary surgery." I think it is actually illegal to crop a dog's ears in Europe and over the past few years there has been a movement to make it illegal in the US as well. Those in favor of ear docking state that erect ears also prevent ear infections because air is able to reach the inner parts of the ear and keep germs from breeding and growing. Dogs such as bassett hounds have long ears because when they are on the trail of something their ears help to "ruffle" the ground and help bring scents to the dogs nose and bassetts have a tendency to have ear infections. Basically there are arguements for both sides but it really does seem to be a unpleasant thing. I have 3 miniature schnauzers. One has uncropped ears (that still stand straight up) and two that have cropped ears. Their ears were cropped before I ever got them though. I did inquire about one of my dogs cropped ears and was told that is was done as surgery with the dog under with pain killers and was given medicine for the pain for several days afterward.

Just as an aside: Tail docking served a purpose also for dogs that hunted and fought. Long tails could easily be broken while the dog is (was) working so owners decided to start docking tails to prevent dogs having to have tails removed or surgery being required due to a mishape. Plus a broken tail can be dificult to notice and infection could kick in before it is found. Tail docking is very cruel because to my knowlegde it is typically done within days of birth and without painkillers or anything.

Answer 5

For traditional reasons, because it makes the breed look like what it is supposed to look like, etc. It is the cutting & setting of ears to make them stand erect - such as Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Standard Schnauzers, and many other breeds have done.

It is very controversial & has been banned in some parts of the world. I own Boxers, and have had some done & some left natural. In countries where it is traditionally done, I wouldn't bother unless the dog was going to be shown. It is very easy to do to & make work to some breeds (Minature Schnauzers, Boston Terriers), and very hard on others (Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers). Novice owners have a harder time dealing with the badaging/taping than professional breeders. Most people (that were first-time 'cropped ear' pet owners) would tell us at the vets they would never do it again, if they got a breed that was supposed to have them in the future.

Answer 6

The same reason that they give poodles funny haircuts. It used to serve a purpose back when dogs were more utilitarian. Cropped ears don't get caught in weeds, torn off in fights with other animals, etc.

These days it's done for cosmetic reasons. The dogs are given an anesthetic before their ears are cropped. Some breeders insist on doing it. We had to fight one breeder to get her to leave out Giant Schnauzer's ears long and floppy. We didn't do it for any ethical reasons, it's just that a floppy-eared dog looks more friendly. (Important when the dog weighs 100lbs). For confirmation purposes (dog shows) it's no longer a requirement. I imagine we'll see less and less of it as time goes on.

When done properly, it doesn't cause long term injury to the dog. (after healed, they never even seem to notice). I personally wouldn't do it to any dog I got as a puppy, more for anesthetic reasons than ethical ones admittedly. But it wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me if an otherwise ideal breeder insisted on it. There are far worse sins to inflict on animals than ear-cropping.

Answer 7

It is for a desired look that goes with certain breeds, like schnauzers, boxers, dobermans.... It is completely unnecessary and only done for looks. Pit bulls and other fighting breeds also get their ears, pretty much cut off, for fighting reasons, they don't want the dogs to rip each other's ears off...
Some also do it just to make their dog look tough.. I think it is cruel, and i think that dogs look cute with ears, i would never do it to any dog i ever own. The clinic where i work also refuses to crop any dogs ears.

Answer 8

To make the ears stand up. Many people won't agree with me but I find it barbaric and stupid. It has nothing to do with anything but for looks and is completely cruel. It's painful for the dog and not only do they have to go through surgery to have it done, they then have to tolerate their ears being taped in an erect position for several days to weeks. So sad that people do it!!

"Today, the practice of altering tails and ears is primarily a matter of continuing a tradition rather than fulfilling a need. Considered cosmetic surgery, these operations are elective and should only be performed after careful consideration."

Answer 9

People crop their dogs' ears because they think it makes their dogs look better. I don't think it does: I like when dogs run and their ears flap! Too cute! :)
Plus, if it isn't done correctly, it can be very painful for the dog. :(

Answer 10

people find plastic surgery too painful to tolerate so they just do it for their animals. the most common dog cropping is the doberman breed. they are born with floppy ears and nealy all owners of these beautiful dogs put their dogs through toture just for looks. we were not happy with what God gave us so we invented plastic surgery. now we are doing the same to animals. what's next cropping a giraffe's neck? a chemical peel for crocodiles? a rhinoplasty for pigs?