Why Are American Bulldog Ears Cropped? Breeds such as the American bulldog have a greater tendency towards ear cropping than other breeds. Many owners simply want a more appealing and hence clipped dog. In some cultures, it is even believed that croping reduces the onset of some ear diseases among other health concerns.
This attitude towards dogs enhances their physical attributes professionally and seems to cut across most generations. In many instances, though, still may be seen as a practice for its aesthetic appeal and cultural satisfaction.
Though stemming from controversy, it is with such an understanding of cropping that helps one appreciate the reasons as to why some of the owners of American bulldogs opt for this practice. Further than this one can better understand stereotypes about dog breeds and what makes dog owners get such breeds.
Ear Cropping: An American Bulldog Practice or a cultural phenomenon – Why Are American Bulldog Ears Cropped?
Why Are American Bulldog Ears Cropped? The Procedure of caucasians and dog-birits defies their blossom. Ear cropping in bulldogides has transformed drastically with the passage of time widely due to the diverse socio-cultural practices attached to the peoples mores. This section scrutinizes the history of ear cropping in bullets and the causes associated with the practice.
Origins of Ear Cropping
Ear trimming is a process that has been in existence for centuries. In the earlier years of Europe, it was a premise that shortening a dog’s ear would reduce the risk of injuries in most combats or even in labor. This was the case for the bulldogs that were used in bull baiting. The custom of cutting an ear was thought to minimize hearing loss and improve sight in dogs.
The trait was also passed down to the American bulldog. Back then, dog breed enthusiasts and the performance of the dog were key objectives of the early cultures. Styles that tempered feature enhancement into bulldogs were endorsed as cropping. This practice was embraced by certain groups which utilized the breed for work and protection.
Evolution of the Practice
With advancement in time, various factors that necessitated ear cropping started changing. Towards the end of the 20th century, a lot of dog owners thought of it as an optional aesthetic procedure rather than a must. The postures of Bulldogs for show and competition purposes changed significantly. Breeders and owners would often crop ears so as to conform to the breeding standards of the stock.
Animal welfare issues have led to some countries prohibiting the practice. This comparatively slowed down the cropping practices among conscientious breeders. In America, such positions are not uniform. Some still favour aesthetic cropping; others prefer to leave the ears in their natural state. Within the world of dogs, the issue of ear cropping has continued to evolve. Why Are American Bulldog Ears Cropped?
Reasons for Ear Cropping
Ear cropping in American Bulldogs is a cultural practice shaped by numerous reasons. It could be for health purposes, breeding requirements or just cravings from owners. Each one of them is an important factor in the choice of ear cropping in dogs.
Health and Veterinary Perspectives
When it comes to ear cropping, a handful of veterinarians assert that it is beneficial for an animal’s health doing the cropping reduces the chances of ear infections. When dogs have floppy ears, they tend to trap moisture and debris which increases the risk of bacteria or yeast growing. Cropping the ears is said to improve airflow, so the ears do not get as dirty.
It must be emphasized that this is not true for every vet. Many deem this type of surgery as unwarranted. Regular cleaning and check-ups of the ears, as part of responsible pet ownership, health concerns can be avoided without the need for surgery.
Issue of Breeding Standards as it Relates to Cropping of Ears
Breeding standards tend to dictate whether bulldogs are given cropped ears or not. Especially in dog competitions, some breeds are expected to appear with cropped ears as one of the traits of the species. This can impede their ability to participate in contests.
Breeders might do ear cropping for these cases. They work towards creating a certain appearance as outlined in the breed. This practice is not adhered to by all breeders hence Bulldogs tend to have different looks.
Owner Preferences and Aesthetics
With regard to ear cropping, preferences, and personal tastes are very important factors. Many owners find reasons to cut off the hairs on their bulldog’s ears for reasons of beauty. They may think that if the ears of the dog are cut, it will look more sporty or aggressive.
There are also owners who prefer to retain a certain image of their dog which is the image of the breed that they see in popular drawings. Such images are often found in the media and sometimes also in society. Most of the time, such a choice is justified not by reasons of practicality, but purely by one’s tastes.
Read also: Are Slow Feeder Bowls Good for Bulldogs?
Why Do Bulldogs Have Breathing Problems
Bulldogs are adorable creatures. Their distinct appearance coupled with good temperament has made them widely sought after as pets. With their short noses and flat faces, many of them have breathing problems which are also known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome when they cause health problems. Such a condition can be as simple as impaired breathing with or without snoring or, in other cases, even the dog is unable to cope with heat.
Almost all bulldog owners can attest to the fact that their pets ambulate and breathe differently than other dogs. Such variations are as a result of the features oriented to a certain design as opposed to promoting good health. These are crucial to the owners as it enables them to find appropriate treatment and management strategies for their pets.
The reasons behind the bulldogs’ breathing problems are crucial to understand from the owners’ perspective. Annual veterinary visits and understanding the signs of a dog in respiratory distress are also essential for the welfare of these cherished canines. When it comes to relieving discomfort, however, owners can make better use of bulldogs so that both parties are happy while improving their baldies’ quality of life.
Anatomical Predispositions
Bulldogs possess certain anatomical features, which factor into their clinical signs of breathing difficulty. Such features can be attributed to their distinctive head shape and the airway structures.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Epitomising brachycephalism which is characterised by the shortness of muzzles and the basified faces, bulldogs amongst other breeds fall into this category. Such structure predisposes an individual to Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAOS) where it is a condition that entails other conditions in the breath such as whistling nostrils, and elongated soft palate, and tracheal conditions.
These features inhibit the flow of air making it difficult for the bulldogs to breathe. Due to these structural issues, it is very common to find bulldogs subjected to bouts of snoring or even noisy breathings. Such anatomical defects cause strain in the pet’s breathing, particularly when the pets get agitated or exercised.
Characteristics of the Nostril and Trachea
Bulldogs usually have small, narrowed nostrils which lessens the airflow to their nasal cavities. This compromised airflow may lead to a greater work of breathing due to the exertion or heat. More extensive view is of their trachea.
The trachea in bulldogs tends to be of a more collapsible nature in that it is more pliable. Their breathing difficulties in addition to the narrow screens are intensified by this problem. These anatomical features predispose them to insufficient amounts of air leading to symptoms such as coughs or wheezes.
Soft Palate And Laryngeal Splay
The soft palate seen in bulldogs is on the larger side when compared to other breeds of dogs. This elongation may cause obstruction airways restricting the airflow. Furthermore, the soft palate can also be retractable, adding to the difficulty of normal respiration.
Laryngeal splay represents yet another issue. In this instance, the larynx fails to completely seal during periods of inhalation, resulting in aspiration and greater difficulty breathing. When both of these problems are present, they can cause a bulldog to have a particularly hard time breathing under normal circumstances, as well as more so in situations that involve stress.
Health Implications and Management
Certain healthcare issues faced by bulldogs can be traced to their difficulty in breathing. It is equally important to appreciate such issues and the ways in which they can be dealt with. With appropriate treatment, the bulldogs’ lives can be enhanced.
Difficulties in Breathing and Their Effects
Most bulldogs are known to have or develop Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). This is a condition that makes such dogs have difficulties in breathing especially when they get physical or when the temperatures become inhospitable. There are also symptoms that owners should detect, such as excessive panting, straining to breathe or coughing that suggests some breathing difficulties.
The bulldogs are also at a very high risk of overheating. They lack the ability to cool themselves effectively because of the short noses. This can progress to a condition called heat stroke which is very serious and can endanger one’s life. It is therefore important to ensure there is shade, clean water, and a cool place when the weather is hot.
Exercising and Dieting
Taking proper care of bulldogs requires that exercise is incorporated in their routine but it has to be done with caution. Short gentle walks are recommended rather than going on long strenuous walks. Long or vigorous activities cause strain in their breathing and may even cause problems. The owners have to watch out their dogs for any indications of tiredness and take sufficient rests.
When one gets a bulldog, the feeding should be one aspect that he considers. It is very important to keep them in shape. Overweight people are likely to aggravate breathing issues faced so it is advisable to see a veterinarian for an appropriate weight management strategy. They must be provided with a well-balanced diet full of ample nutrients to keep them healthy.
Surgical Interventions
Sometimes, when it comes to bulldogs who endure great difficulty in breathing, a surgical option may be sought. Nasal surgery or throat surgery, for instance, can be performed in order to clear the airways for better breathing. This is one determination that a pet owner should make with the assistance of a veterinarian.
Surgery is bound to improve the living standards of a bulldog. A bulldog owner, on the other hand, has to evaluate the merits and demerits of the procedure. After the surgery, the pet will need to be monitored for recovery and healing at regular intervals.