when to crop a dogs ear?

[bangemd]

[size=6][/size]Does anyone know when I should get my dog ears cropped? She's an American Pitbull and she's 6 weeks old.

[imported_raven]

How about not at all?

It's illegal in a lot of countries and there are good reasons for it.

[SizzleDog]

Ears should be done by a specialist in the breed - a veterinarian experienced in cropping that breed's ears - arount 8 weeks of age.

I don't think you'll be able to find such a specialist on such short notice. These decisions are usually made before the puppies are born, so the cropper has time to perform the surgery.

If I were you, I'd leave your dog's ears natural. Wait until your next dog - when you're better prepared - to have the surgery done. It's a very delicate and precise surgery, and you don't want to rush into it without knowing exactly what you're delaing with.

[Taurus and Jada]

Cropping can be done anytime between 9 and 14 weeks, although each vet is going to have their own preferences for when they do it.

Make sure to print off pictures of dogs whose crop you like and take them into the vet when you go. Also make sure the vet you choose has experience not only cropping , but cropping APBT's. Ask for references if possible.

[True_Pits]

You should call and talk to your local vets, some vets don't crop at all so you need to make sure you find one who does. I'd be more worried about cropping the dogs ears at 8 weeks because they are so young. But most vets will do it that young, some have age limits like 12 or 14 weeks and others will do it older then that but will charge you more. You also want to get references because some vets really screw up ear jobs bad, they are deformed, the wrong length or have had problems with the sugery and the healing afterward.