Cropped ears or natural ears

[Pixie]

Which would you rather groom? A Schnauzer with cropped ears or a natural ear?

Most of the Schn's that I groom seem to have the natural ear, so that is an easier ear for me to do. When I get the cropped ear in I find it a bit more difficult.

[misscatahoula]

I prefer to groom a schnauzer with natural ears. Easier to clip and trim IMO. I've had a couple bad experiences with nicking cropped schn. ears, so now I am super cautious whenever I have to do them.

[rapuzzled]

Well, I find that natural ears are a little bit easier to shave. They are larger, and you dont have to carefully shave around all of the corners and lumps and bumps. we probably get a good mix of both. i like the look of a cropped ear better though, i kinda think the natural ear looks a little dorky, lol. no offense to anyone, just personal opinion. I feel the same way about dobies.

[Nancy's k-9 Clips]

I Like the uncropped ears better. Plus I think they have more personality !

[Fluffy Puppy]

I really don't have a preference. Although natural ears are bigger and easier to work with.
I have a few Schn's whose ears are practically non existant. Their ears were cropped so small, I have a really hard time holding them, let alone shave them.

[Helly]

I'd rather clip a natural ear over most of the cropped ears. Of the few cropped ears I see these days, none of them have a very good crop.

We used to see really nicely cropped ears, years ago, before the whole crop or not crop controversy. I don't think there are as many vets who really know how to do a nice crop these days.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[lvdobes]

Doesn't really matter to me but I must say if people are not going to look for a vet thats good at crops or are to cheap to pay for a good job then I'd rather see the ears left natural. My personal perference tho is to crop.

Lisa

[KarlaSnyder]

I actually prefer to do the cropped ears, don't have to scissor the edges at all. Of all the schnauzers I do, only 2 are cropped and very well too. I'm dating myself, but you used to rarely see a natural ear. Now, that's all you see in all shapes and sizes, folded or not. Just my opinion, but the quality of the breed (pets) really dropped when ears were no longer cropped. I think more pet/puppy mill breeders started breeding. The cropping and the expense cut into the bottom line.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

I prefer natural ears, they're easier for me to groom.

One of our vets here wont crop ears, I'm not sure about the other two. I don't know if it's a policy or his personal feeling on the matter, I think I'm going to ask.

He does dock tails though, and boy was I SURPRISED when I saw him do it with large dog nail clippers (sterilized). I was shocked. He thought the look on my face was pretty funny.

Tammy in Utah

[mustluvdogs1]

Cropped with #30 or even #40. With cropped..notflap minside ti cut accidentaly. I hate poorly cropped ears...I've seen some so bad, they almost look uncropped but stand up..Then some uncropped like rabbit ears.Breeders do it if they aren serious AKC showers..against law..but they do it right.

[Ruggins]

Natural for sure, seems the cropped ones get fuzzier, and the scar tissue on the edges is more delicate! That being said, I like the look of natural ears on a schnauzer, but for sure cropped on a doberman, either way for a dane. I agree that there aren't many vets who can do a good crop, used to work for one in Illinois that was incredible!! A master!! But here in WA, no one I would let near my dog's ears with scissors!!

[PoodlePal]

I don't mind grooming cropped ears. Actually, I like the look when they are groomed. Having said that, I prefer bathing a dog with the natural ears because I usually press the dog's ear leather against the ear when I am bathing and rinsing.

[scrubapup]

I honestly don't know of many vets in our area who DO crop ears anymore. The vet I worked for didn't do it. I know of one vet that does, but he shouldn't because he sucks at it.

I don't know that I have a preference. I like the look of a cropped ear, but as somebody already said, sometimes they are cropped so short it's hard to shave them. (the brussels I groom has little bitty ears and it's a major pain)

Since we are on the subject - what about Yorkies? I have a couple yorkies with HUGE ears that don't stand up. One owner doesn't like me to shave the tips of the ears because the poor dogs ears are so big he looks like Dumbo.

[pugnacious]

I vote natural ears easier and I agree with the personality thing. Ruggins, I saw your avatar before your comment and kinda thought you'd vote that way! LOL Your puppy is soooo cute. I do many yorkies with big ears that don't stand up most of which I don't tip the ends -- some have very very long pretty ears. Also have a couple schnauzers that don't get their natural ears shaved. One little girl schnaauzer has hair on her ears are a good 5 inches long and it's quite feminine that way.