A veterinary medical association in Western Canada announced Friday a ban on the cosmetic cropping of dogs’ ears, but some breeders warn it could lead to torn floppy ears.
The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association passed the bylaw at its annual general meeting on February 3 after all four of Canada’s eastern maritime provinces enacted similar bans, but only now publicized it.
Generally performed on Great Dane, Doberman, Schnauzer, Boxer and Miniature Pinscher puppies at around three months old, the surgical procedure reshapes the ears by removing skin and cartilage.
Nearly half of the entire ear is removed, and a splint or bracket is then used to hold the ears in an upright position while they heal.
The association said in a statement the cosmetic procedure is “unnecessary in the canine species, causing pain and distress to the patient without any medical benefit.”
But breeder Cindy Kowalchuk said it also has a practical application: removing the floppy part of the ear prevents injury when dogs fight.
“They’re going to see a lot of torn ears, (and) how do you fix that, from a veterinarian’s perspective? You cannot re-sew that ear,” she told public broadcaster CBC.
Veterinary associations in British Columbia and Alberta are also looking at creating similar bylaws.
But breeder Cindy Kowalchuk said it also has a practical application: removing the floppy part of the ear prevents injury when dogs fight. WHAT?????
The floppy ear torn comment is ridiculous. The only reason the dogs would get their ears torn in a fight is if their owners let them or encourage them to fight. Personally I think the natural ears are much more attractive.
You can’t ALWAYS control a dog around other dog, especially around other unknown dogs. Especially with those breeds that tend to have strong jaws and sometimes an agressive tendency towards other dogs. It’s a very ignorant statement when someone assumes the brreder ‘encourages’ the dogs to fight. Showing dogs for 10+ years I know that sometimes the unexpected happens. And ignorant statements like that are what cause extremist terrorist groups like PETA to do stupid things more often.
if dogs have floppy ears its because they are meant to have them its like all dogs have tails but some idiots think they should not so dock them i find both practices barbaric and pointless leave these dogs as nature intended.
You really should know what your talking about before you make comments.
What is she fighting dogs? If you are taking care of your dogs they shouldn’t be in a fight! I think Cindy is off her rocker.
“They’re going to see a lot of torn ears…” Bullshit! And no argument at all! In my Country (Germany) that (cropping ears & tales) is forbidden since years and I’ve never heard and seen any dogs with this kind of problem. And, for instance, a nice Dobermann looks even nicer the natural way. 😉
A Doberman looks like an Ugly hound with a baboon tail and dumbo ears…… leave the breed as they were ment to be a beautiful working dog.
If you don’t like how a doberman looks then don’t get one. I love dobermans with real ears and tails.
I think that the breeds which have previously been cropped, should be up to the buyers discretion to crop or not. The doberman looks like a hound dog with the ears and tail long. I feel if you want the ears and tail done you should be able to do so.
I think that the breeds which have previously been cropped, should be up to the buyers discretion to crop or not. The doberman looks like a hound dog with the ears and tail long. I feel if you want the ears and tail done you should be able to do so.
way to go Manitoba now lets hope Alberta and bc follow suite. as for the breeder she is fully NUTS let animals be as they were made not how we wish them to be.
Yay for Manitoba and others!!! If floppy ears were a problem, then why are ANY allowed?? Sure don’t see many Cockers, Beagles, Pugs, Bassets, or any of those big hounds running around with torn up ears. Sorry to you breeders……..that’s an excuse to keep up a barbaric, outdated idea of what the breed should look like.
cropped ears are illegal in uk – no issues with torn ears from dog fights lol what a strange lot humans are.We have been getting the same ridiculous arguments from breeders fighting to hang on to the right to mutilate their dogs with tail docking which is partially banned – I am sure within a few years we will have a total ban,especially as show dogs are not allowed to be docked so the perceived norm will be an unmutilated animal.Every time there is a small step taken toward more humane treatment of animals there are always those talking of their right to continue the practice and trying to justify it….same happened with dog fighting, badger baiting, is happening with fox hunting and bull fighting and breeding of dogs in the pursuit of breed standards which deform and cause serious health issues.(for instance bull dog breeders,pug breeders etc always justify why their dogs continue to be bred to the extreme despite being unable to whelp naturally etc.)
The breeder that commented on the torn ears is either supporting dog fighting or off her rocker. What about all the breeds that naturally have floppy ears; where are the deformed torn ears on those breeds? I can honestly say I have never seen a cocker spaniel, basset hound, blood hound, beagle, etc. with a torn ear that was beyond repair due to a dog fight.
I totally agree that the floppy ear comment is just an excuse for dog fighting. It’s like saying we should cut of kids noses because they get broken if kids get into a fight….dah…prevent fighting and you’ll prevent injury.
Very good written
article
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Cindy Kowalchuk breeds aggressive dogs…