To crop or not to crop that is the question
 

Like the title states. I am having a tough time deciding. I like the look of cropped when matured. But I also am having a hard time with putting my pup through pain for my own satisfaction.
I have been refered to a guy locally that does a great job, does it all by laser minimalizing pain and recovery time. My sisters pits (ma and pa) of my pup have cropped ears by this guy and they look great.
Anything to help me tilt one way or the other?
heres a couple picks (click the enlarge)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/6716/tazer45sx3.th.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6...er50na7.th.jpg

It is all up to you, if you want to crop you dogs ears or not.

Right now there are several different theards about cropping ears, so you might want to do a search on them. I also know that there is a debate about cropping ears in debate section.

Check out the cropping threads!

I think your pup is a doll the way he is...

I added a poll to the thread for you. I voted for Natural ears http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I went with natural, too. That pup looks like it's going to have an awesome ear set.

I voted natural. I have seen some great crop jobs, but I personally prefer natural ears. Plus your pup has cute ears.

Crop IF you know someone good to do the job.. If the cropping is done correctly then your dog would look even sharper imo.. But if you dont really know anyone with experience then i go with natural look because bad crop jobs=ruin the dog imo. + ur dogs ears are pretty cute.. so ya

My thoughts are they are born looking great natural...as they grow older, they add thier ears to thier arsenal of expressions...and for the general public perception, they look more gentle in nature with natural ears and I want to give Diesel every edge when it comes to public perception.

My "Content" look:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...odyLovesMe.jpg

My friends "admiring" my natural ears:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...heGroupHug.jpg

My "Will I ever Grow into these" look:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...G_2208a1-2.jpg

Ears at Speed:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...lFullSpeed.jpg

the poll thing is really cool! I think I am getting swayed towards not cropping. I am however going to speak with my vet about it just for more info on that side of things. about two more weeks before next shots.

I voted natural....http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/wink.png
Diesel, your dog is gorgeous ! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/biggrin.png

Debbie...It is weird...but I think he knows it and looks for the camera lens...

I voted natural... but I'm an ear lover!!!! I love the pic of your pup, looks like he's got a smirk on his smile going on! His ears look great natural!! They really do have a million expressions with natural ears.... adds to their goofy personality! I love natural ears!

I much prefer the look of natural ears. It makes the dogs LOOK a lot more loveable in my opinion. And with the public view on our breed as it already is I just don't like the thought of them looking dangerous.

Exactly what I was going to say. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

only reason to crop the ears is if the ears are too big or wrong. either way
ear crop = selfish owner

Selfish owner?
http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/lol.gif People like you crack me up.

I am very bias on this. I admit I like the look of a good crop BUT I would never be able to give up the ears, especially bat ears or nice rose ones. I love to kiss the ears and play with them. Plus they make for goofy photos and wonderful personality quirks.

Unless there was a medical reason for the crop, I would not have it done. I would not put my dog under anesthesia for personal enjoyment (I am a worry wart and would freak if anything happened) and I feel like cropping for the show ring is kind of like cheating in a way, no offense to those that do it.

But it's your dog and your decision. Good luck either way!

I would go for the natrual look any day,my pup hasnt grown into his ears yet but thats who he is.Theres no way that im going to be cutting on my dogs ears for personal prefrence.Natrual looks alot better to me!

guess I'm selfish... I could go either way. It's the owner's decision. I have 2 naturals, and 1 cropped. I love them either way. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png The pain thing isn't something I'd take into consideration, because my pup didn't seem to care the day after.

I voted to leave 'em natural. I've had people tell me I should've cropped my dog's ears (although she was too old when I got her). She just wouldn't be the same with cropped ears. Not to mention they stand on their own naturally, so why would I cosmetically do it?

how could you not be a selfish owner for cutting your dogs ears. that's not the way it came in. it's all cosmetic cause some selfish owner didn't like the ears. what if you were the one that was forced to get your ears cut. the ears cut are for u the SELFISH OWNER.

p.s.
we all know that dogs ears are cut because they were too big and not up to standard