Q: Why do some Pit Bull Terriers have pointy ears and others have floppy?
I really want to get an American Pit Bull Terrier and I want one with floppy ears. I was just wondering why the ear shape difference is there.
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Answers and Views:
Answer by ~♥ARMY BRAT♥~(~Taren~)
Some people get the dogs cropped and or clipped when they are young so as the dog grows up the straight-up erect ears look natural even though they aren't.
BYB's that breed for the huge abnormal size in Pits do this.
Answer by Sascha Squire
Pitbull's ears come in a few different types cropped is one of them those stand up and are small. Prick ears stand up all on their own. Rose ears and drop ears don't, but there are also variations like half-prick rose ears and half-prick drop ears.
Pitbulls with prick ears have NEVER had their ears altered. Google " pitbull full prick ears" that's what Pitbull ears that naturally stand fully on end are called. Here's a link to a dog forum discussion on Pitbulls with prick ears.
I know that some Pitbull enthusiasts who like natural, uncropped ears are "rose ear crazy". Hopefully, this information helps.
Please go read the UKC parameters for Pitbull Ears. While prick ears aren't considered "desirable", they are certainly acknowledged. Oh, here's a link
Answer by Amerz & The Labrador
Get one from a reputable breeder who does not opt to crop the ears, or adopt one from the shelter with floppy ears. There should be plenty to choose from there, ours is loaded with cute pitties of all colors, ages, sizes and cropped/uncropped.
It is a cosmetic alteration made to the dog as a young puppy. It is accepted in the breed standard to be cropped or natural so it's up to you which one you want to go with. Good luck with finding your new buddy!
Answer by RedHairedTempest
I know the practice started with fighting dogs to keep the ears from being torn off in the pit....but I can't see doing it myself for any reason. Aside from not knowing what to use/ or how to administer proper medication.....the pain to the animal on waking and the risk of infection... it's just disgusting that somebody would do that!
Answer by foodguru
There is no good time to clip a pit bull’s ears off unless you want to turn the pit puppy into a scared and aggressive warrior, which is unlawful and unconscionable. Haven’t you watched “Animal Precinct” on cable’s Animal Planet? Seems every time the heroic animal control officers discover a pit bull with cut ears, the animal is a mess and must be put down in the interest of public safety.
Answer by sprklngdimundz
I don't think it should be done. circumcism is okay because there are certain complications that can occur such as infection of the excess skin. but clipping a dog's ears is pointless, just because someone thinks it looks better or whatever. dumba$$es. they may not be human, but they are living. they can feel pain, feel scared, etc.
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Aimee says
I have a9 month old pitbull puppy that I got at 6 weeks old. She is not chopped, snipped, cut up on any way. She had the rose ears when we got her. We did the puppy dna and it described her perfectly but said she had pointy ears that she did not have. We noticed her scratching her ears a lot and found out she had an ear infection. We got medicating, 4 days later we woke up and her ears were up like a dingo. She’s been goofy looking ever since and see love it. Long tail and big pointy ears.
Nick says
“The one with pointy ears have had their ears clipped” this is false information.
I have a Blue Nose. His ears stand naturally.
Sascha Squire says
What? Pretending that prick ears aren’t naturally occurring to the breed? This information is completely incorrect.
Admin: The incorrect information has been removed from the post.
Most part of this comment with the correct explanation has been put instead into the body of the post.
Rad says
Yes my blue girl has very pointed ears never been altered at all. She is all pit
Amanda Job says
My dog is papered and her ears stand fully as well.
Anonymous says
The ones with pointy ears have had their ears cropped.
Susan Blais says
I have a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier. She has papers and is a kennel club member. Her ears stand straight up. Purchased her as a puppy and have not had her ears surgically alterred.
G says
Right, I’ve had several Purebred APBT’s. I’ve noticed in one particular case the Mother and Father both had floppy ears but when the puppies came some have floppy ears, and a few with naturally straight ears, all from the same exact litter. It’s something deep in there genetics that allow some to take the naturally standing ears gene, others the floppy gene..
Gina says
Thanks Sue ans G my Pit has pointy ears also not mixed purebred
Linda Hussong says
Mine was born with pointy ears. I would never alter my dogs
Peter says
Its not true I had a pitbull with pointy ears, they werent cropped.
Cheri says
I just adopted a pitty that her ears stand straight up and they are her full ears not cut, so adorable