Giant schnauzers have ears that are floppy and hairy. They are born with it because it is a natural way to protect the ear from insects, water, and dirt that could lead to infection. But many dogs are seen to have cropped ears lately, which now becomes a growing trend on particular breeds like the giant schnauzers. Should you crop your pet’s ears or not? Before you make a decision, let’s understand more about ear cropping and find out for yourself if ear cropping is right for your canine companion.

What is ear cropping?

The process of removing a portion of your dog’s ears is what you call ear cropping. Ideally, only a licensed veterinarian can do this procedure because before cutting your dog’s ears, they should be under anesthesia and done in sterile and surgical environments to avoid complications such as infection. 

Make sure that your dog is between 7-12 weeks old as this age is ideal for ear cropping. Before performing the procedure, don’t let your dogs eat 12 hours before surgery because aspiration is most likely to occur in a sedated dog. 

The veterinarian will initially measure and mark your pet’s ears as a guide before making an incision during surgery. After cutting the ears, the disinfection of the incision site follows and finally stitched up. The vet will then tape the ears into an “alert” position. The wound’s aftercare is more detailed, meticulous and time-consuming to achieve the look that you want for your giant schnauzer. 

Does cropping your giant schnauzer’s ears have benefits? 

Though ear cropping is common practice for breeds like giant schnauzers, some say that the risk of your dog’s getting an infection doesn’t change whether you crop your dog’s ear or not. So cropped ears don’t guarantee that your giant schnauzers will be protected against ear infections.

 Keep in mind that dogs who are prone to ear infections may depend on their genes and not because they have floppy ears. Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure to have a polished look that changes your pet’s natural appearance and does not improve their health. 

Additionally, cropped ears can make your furry friend experience physical pain, discomfort and even psychological trauma that may last for long periods of time. 

Should you crop your dog’s ears or not?

A pet owner like you can only answer this question. If you are not sure if you want to crop your furry friend’s ear or not, make sure you research more about it and talk to your veterinarian for added information and advice. Do you have enough time to tend to your canine companion’s needs after ear cropping like bandaging, posting, and frequent visits to the vet? Do you have ample space in your home where your pet can heal in a timely manner after recovering from a surgery like this? Also, consider your purpose for ear cropping. Are you a breeder? Do you want a show dog? Do you want your dog to achieve a classic look of the breed? These are just some of the factors that you need to include when deciding to crop your pet’s ears. That said, it will help you make a decision on what’s best for your dog that you won’t regret it in the future. 

Credit: the spruce pets