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Some dog owners are selecting specific breeds, such as bull breeds, to convey their authority and power and to gain control over people and places, which in turn boosts their image and status [ 22 ]. However, when Maher and Pierpont [ 21 ] investigated the role and value of dogs in youth groups and gangs in the UK through interviews, they found that the primary motivation for ownership was companionship and support in socialisation, with protection identified as a closely associated reason.
Figure 5. A standard schnauzer with show-cropped ears.
If dogs with cropped ears are used for fighting, their ears are cropped in the battle style, with the reasoning being that this encourages each dog to go straight for their opponent ' s neck instead of the ear [ 22 ], increasing their chance of winning the fight.
Welfare implications
Ear cropping is a painful surgical procedure and, like all surgical procedures, has associated risks such as the use of general anaesthetic agents, potential blood loss and infection [ 1, 23 ]. Postoperative care can result in further discomfort and pain due to the healing, stretching, re-taping and bandaging of the ears after surgery, which can span a couple of days to months, depending on the desired shape. This can result in the dog being in isolation for a period of time [ 23 ].
Figure 6. Doberman pinschers: three on the left with long-cropped ears and one on the right with uncropped ears.
In some cases, owners and breeders can choose whether they wish to crop or leave their dog ' s ears, as the guidelines for certain breeds state that ears can be either uncropped or cropped. However, for the doberman pinscher, the breed standard states that the ears are normally cropped [ 19 ]( Figure 6).
Some owners perceive ear cropping as a means of enhancing their social status. Research by Mills et al. [ 20 ] examined public awareness and perceptions of canine ear cropping and tail docking in the USA. Their findings indicated that owners of dogs with cropped ears were frequently perceived as more aggressive, dominant and narcissistic, with these attributes also projected onto the dogs themselves. Although these traits are generally viewed negatively, some individuals may perceive them as contributing to a ' formidable ' or ' powerful ' image.
These dogs are no longer seen just as pets and have instead taken on an additional role, known as‘ status’,‘ bling’ or‘ weapon’ dogs [ 21 ]. These terms are now becoming increasingly commonly used within society.
Gutiérrez-Velez et al. [ 2 ] state that ear cropping is performed on large-breed puppies at 6 weeks of age, while in smaller breeds it is done at 9 weeks of age; at these ages the cartilage of the ear is still developing, meaning it is more malleable, making the desired shape easier to achieve. At this young age, puppies are going through the socialisation period, which can be divided into two stages, primary and secondary. The primary stage is where the puppy begins to appropriately read and understand canine body language and interact with other dogs, while the secondary stage is where the puppy learns how to interact appropriately and successfully with other species [ 24 ]. If this period is missed due to isolation or impaired due to ear cropping, it can result in long-term behavioural consequences affecting emotional and cognitive health, as well as negatively affecting the pain tolerance of the puppy [ 25 ].
One of the behaviours that can be affected is communication through ear posture. Dogs use their ears to express their emotional and social status as well as their willingness to fight or retreat from a situation [ 1 ]. A study carried out by Clay et al. [ 26 ] looked at the early detection of behaviour problems in shelter dogs by monitoring them in their kennels after admission. Researchers selected eight components to observe, including ear posture. Ear posture helped identify when dogs were fearful, aggressive or friendly, along with additional non-verbal communication methods. Therefore, ear cropping could be impairing vital canine communication both within and across species.
Volume 41( 1) • February 2026
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