A veterinarian take on controversial ear-cropping

Every pet deserves a loving and respectful home: please only consider acquiring a pet if you will be able to take care of its long-term needs. Also, consider choosing your animal companion from a shelter, where there are so many wonderful furry friends who need a forever home.

In this video, veterinarian Dr. Alex Avery and veterinarian surgeon Dr. Catherine Henstridge discuss – and denounce – the controversial practice of ear-cropping in dogs, i.e. chopping off a part of a dog’s ears for cosmetic appearance.

The practice is common in the US and a growing problem in the UK, particularly for the following breeds:

1. Pedigree-bred Dobermans who undergo surgery to acquire very ‘vertical’, sharp-pointed ears. Their tails are often also chopped off as well.
2. Bulldogs, particularly American Bulldogs, whose ears are cropped to stubs.

View the original video here.

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