Last Updated on February 7, 2022 by
There are many things that make a dog look better, and some owners often ponder should they have Rottweiler ears clipped – good or bad? Ear clipping is a practice with many other breeds too, Dobermans for example, but is it actually necessary for a Rottweiler? In today’s article, we’ll be learning about ear clipping, how beneficial is it, and whether you should clip your dog’s ears.
Table of Contents
Ear Clipping
Ear clipping, also known as ear cropping, is a surgical procedure of the ears. It’s usually done on dogs when the owner wants the dog ears to stand up. Some breeds don’t have their ears stand up naturally – Rottweilers are one of these breeds. German Shepherds are a good example of a breed that has ears standing up on their own.
Ear cropping is very popular with Dobermans, even though they’re a breed with naturally floppy ears! However, more and more vets are concerned about this. Health-wise – it’s a completely unnecessary procedure and it only brings pain to the poor animal. Because of this, ear clipping is illegal in some countries – England for example. In the USA, however, it’s still completely legal.
Learn more about: Are Rottweilers Related to Dobermans?
According to the general consensus of experts – it brings much more harm than good.
Dangers Of Ear Clipping
According to experts, ear clipping can harm a dog’s hearing. This is more dangerous to dogs than it would be to humans, as dogs rely on their hearing much more than we do (not to mention that their hearing is much more advanced). Veterinarians are concerned that the process of ear clipping is actually harmful to dogs’ hearing. Since dogs can usually move their ears independently, clipping the ears disallows them from doing so!
It’s also a problem because dogs use their ears to communicate. When a dog’s ears stand up – we know that they’re on alert (similar to the tail). You won’t be able to read your dog’s body language as easily if you clip your dog’s ears.
The Popularity Of Ear Clipping
There’s no particular reason why a dog’s ears should stand up. According to experts – if they aren’t standing up on their own, then we shouldn’t be clipping them. This practice was brought to popularity through dog shows. Organizations that oversee and judge dog shows are the governing authority of dog standards and they sometimes ask for dogs to have their ears clipped.
It’s also become very popular because of celebrities showing off their dogs. However, its exclusive purpose is an aesthetic one – not one of function. If anything, it’s completely detrimental to the dog’s hearing and general health, which is why vets don’t recommend it.
Ethics Of Ear Clipping
Something that all vets can agree on is that ear clipping is painful for the dog. Even though the dog is asleep when it happens, it’s going to be very painful once they wake up. The wounds will heal after some time and they likely won’t even remember it, but it’s unethical and inhumane to put a dog through all that pain just because of a cosmetic standard.
This problem stems much deeper than just ear clipping. The American Kennel Club – the organization judging and organizing dog shows – is the one defining dog standards. They have the power to write off ear clipping and tail docking completely – something that veterinarians have been advocating for years now. However, both of these practices are very common within the dog community (at least in the States).
Rottweilers and Ear Clipping
Luckily, it’s not the standard of a Rottweiler to have their ears clipped. This means that you don’t have to put your dog through a painful and health-deteriorative procedure just to compete in dog shows. Some owners like to clip their dog’s ears just as a cosmetic bonus, but most vets will advise against doing this.
It’s good that there’s a very little history of Rottweilers and ear clipping – this practice is common with Dobermans and the Great Dane, not the Rottweiler. Besides, Rottweiler cropped ears are such a rare sight that you would probably have trouble recognizing the dog.
It’s interesting that this used to be done many, many years ago. Rottweilers were traditionally used as guard dogs, and owners would sometimes cut their ears off as much as they could when they were still puppies. This was done to make sure that a predator can’t bite the dog by the ear in a fight. This cruel practice, however, is extremely rare nowadays and is considered animal cruelty – completely punishable by law.
Rottweiler tail docking stems from the same practice.
This is a completely cosmetic procedure that can’t benefit your Rottweiler at all, while it will certainly hurt them for some time.
FAQ
Why Do They Clip Rottweilers Ears?
The only reason some owners clip Rottweiler ears is a cosmetic one - they want to achieve a certain look. Note that Rottweilers with clipped ears can't compete in dog shows!
Is Ear Cropping Beneficial?
Absolutely not, if anything - ear clipping is detrimental to the dog's health and their hearing. Vets are most often advising against this aged practice.
Is Cropping Ears Cruel?
Yes, it is. Even though the procedure is done with general anesthesia applied, the dog will feel pain afterwards until the wounds heal up properly.
Is Ear Clipping Legal?
Laws differ from country to country. It's still legal in the United States, but it's illegal in many European countries - it's considered animal cruelty.
Summation
To end, remember that dog clipping is cruel. It’s a painful procedure that has no benefits for the dog and it’s illegal in many countries, with more and more countries joining that list. This procedure is necessary for some dogs to compete in dog shows because the governing authority says so, but these standards are changing quickly.
According to vets, ear clipping is detrimental to your dog’s health and it’s best to avoid it. Some vets will outright refuse to go through with the surgery because of the pain inflicted upon the dog. This is an entirely cosmetic procedure with no functional applications.