Weimaraner With Cropped Ears: All You Need to Know

On many occasions, Weimaraner dog owners decide to have their pets’ ears cropped. There are some breeds of dogs that are generally recognized by their unique appearance, especially in the head area. The canine ear cropping has become a trademark for some dog breeds such as the Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, and even the Weimaraner. 

What is Ear Cropping in Dogs? 

The cut involves surgically removing about two-thirds of the pinna or the delicate part of both your pet’s ears. The remaining tissue is bandaged very tightly in the upright position. Pain medication may or may not be given to your canine after the procedure. 

The most advisable thing would be to anesthetize it and give it a solution for the pain. 

Over the next several weeks or months, the cropped ears will be re-bandaged in an effort to make them stand upright. This process may or may not achieve the goal. Many puppies still have floppy ears after weeks or months of bandaging. 

Is It a Good Idea or a Bad Idea to Cut My Weimaraner Dog’s Ears? 

Many people argue that it is a terrible idea to cut a Weimaraner dog’s ears since they consider it as animal abuse and damage by default to the physique of the breed as such. 

There are even some people who think that inappropriate medical and cosmetic products on dogs are considered a type of mistreatment of animals. 

On the other hand, there are also people who argue that cutting Weimaraner dog ears will help ear canal infections. They believe that cutting the canine’s ears will create less chance of an animal’s ear infection or pinna trauma. 

These people also think that dog-ear cropping is ethically similar to any optional surgery like spaying, spraying, or dewclaw removal. 

On the contrary, it is a definite fact that dog ear infections are common regardless of breed, whether the dog’s ears are cropped or not. 

There is no obligation to cut the Weimaraner’s ears since it is only the owner of the dog who has to make the decision whether or not to carry out the process on their pet. This surgery can also deform the ears, leaving them scarred or bent. 

When Should I Cut My Weimaraner Dog’s Ears? 

Usually, the ears are cropped when the puppy is 8 to 12 weeks old. At this stage of development, the procedure’s trauma can have a great psychological impact on the maturing puppy. The process of bandaging a puppy’s ears to force them to remain erect after they have been cut can be extremely painful for the canine. 

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Dogs’ ears have many nerve endings, and the pain that surgery without anesthesia would cause is extreme. 

However, as we have mentioned before, this process is considered by some people as great animal abuse. Also, many others think of this as a cruel tradition. 

In the United States, the practice is regulated in some states, such as Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. 

The practice of ear cropping, and even tail docking, is so cruel that some countries have already banned it. Among them, we have: 

• Germany. 
• Australia. 
• Norway. 
• England. 
• Cyprus. 
• Greece. 
• Sweden. 
• Switzerland. 
• Luxembourg. 
• Finland. 

In addition to British Columbia, many Canadian provinces prohibit ear cropping, including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan. 

The UK Kennel Club not only supports a ban on ear cropping, but it also prohibits dogs with mutilated ears from competing in shows. 

Ear cropping is also prohibited in New Zealand and some parts of Europe. 

What is the Reason for My Weimaraner Dog’s Ear Cropping? 

There is absolutely no justifiable reason to mutilate a dog’s ears for cosmetic reasons. Maddeningly, in some breeds, such as the Doberman Pinscher, the procedure is performed to make the animal look more threatening. 

Another excuse is that ear cropping reduces the incidence of ear infections by providing sufficient airflow to the ear canal. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, and, from the point of view of many individuals, it is utter nonsense. 

Advocates for ear cropping in dogs also argue that most breed standards do not accept animals that have not undergone that surgery. 

Is it Harmful to Cut the Ears of My Weimaraner Dog? 

Just as each organ and each limb that we are born with has a use and a purpose, the same happens in the case of your Weimaraner dog. Ear cropping methods cause suffering in the animal. Many canines also experience phantom pain from a missing limb similar to humans with amputations. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists three risks or animal welfare concerns as a result of ear cropping: 

General Anesthesia 

The cut should always be done under full anesthesia, which already has some risks in itself. If the Weimaraner is not given anesthesia before the operation, your pet will suffer much more. 

Post-Operation Care 

Dogs will experience discomfort during the stage of healing, stretching, and wearing elastic bandages. Some of them will need to have their ears bandaged upright for days or months and may be isolated from other dogs during this period. 

Even the procedure of bandaging the ears to keep them upright hurts. 

Potential Complications 

As with any incision, cropped ears can become infected. It is also possible that they are not upright or deformed or have a position that could require subsequent operations. 

What Happens if I Cut My Weimaraner Dog’s Ears? 

In the procedure of cutting a canine’s ears, the pinna is affected. The direct consequence is a decrease in hearing and movements. In addition to the pain of the cut, which is performed without anesthesia, it makes your pet more prone to otitis.