can you crop a Labrador dog’s ears?

I think you can but cropping is illegal in lots of places. I understand why you want a friendly dog that looks mean, I’m guessing its so you feel safe? Trust me, if you have a lab although they have a friendly reputation, people won’t come near you, and even if they did, your labrador would protect you, they aren’t naturally protective dogs, but all dogs of that sort would stand up for their master if they knew it was in danger.

Labradors are strong, I don’t think they are pit bull strong but they are still strong.

Hope this helps

I have a pitbull, he is the sweetest thing ever. His ears aren’t cropped and people still fear him because one he is a pitbull and two, he is big. Most people automatically fear bigger dogs no matter what the breed. The bigger the dog, the worse the potential bite. Lab or not. I have seen some huge labs who bark just right and even I am careful. They will never be as quick to fight as a pitbull would be, nor are they anywhere near as strong. But any good dog who is fed and loved by his owner would most likely protect when needed. They usually wouldn’t need serious training to do this. Some however, are just not that way at all. I wouldn’t get a lab myself because they are usually known to be sweet. However, it doesn’t mean that your dog wouldn’t be mean if needed. You really never know. Does it growl if someone it doesn’t know comes close? You can teach a dog certain things to make it look more of a guard dog. When people come over, I have them know and look in the window and then I get the dog to pay attention and make him bark. I just say ” who’s that?” A few times with a real tense voice, then when he growls or barks, I tell him good boy. Make sure he waits at the door until you get there, and then let the guests in after he sits. Let him know he did well, and that they are ok to be there. IF the dog isn’t really serious, the trick is to make him act and look serious enough. NO on has to know that the dog barking at the door will let them in. Most won’t try. DO NOT CROP A LABS EARS. It isn’t a breed for that, have you ever seen one? I haven’t.

You could technically crop any breeds ears… but it has to be done before 12 weeks of age. No decent vet will do it tho, because the breed standard doesnt call for ear cropping, there is no method of cropping for lab ears… so all you will find is hack-job vets that will do it. And the dog’s ears may not even look right after cropping.. labs ussually have thick ear leather, the ears probably wont even stand.

I honestly dont think that ear cropping will make a lab look mean tho.. it will just look like a lab with a hack job.. cropped ears dont automatically make a dog look mean. There are plenty of big dogs with floppy ears that look mean, for example rotties.

Dog breeds of similar size can potentially be of the same strength.

Many breeds that “look mean” are actually friendly dogs if properly trained and socialized. I’ve met some labs with horrible temperments.

Of course it is possible, but your reason for doing so should be justified.

It is not in the Labrador breed standard to have cropped ears, so why cause the dog the discomfort?

Cropping does have a purpose when it comes to certain breeds of dog.

I do not think any legitimate vet will crop a labs ears. Cropping ears and docking tails goes beyond looks, the breeds that typically have them done have a history of being proned to problems with their ears or tails, granted many owners do get it done for looks but it is not what it is for.

a. looks do not matter, a lab can look mean if he or she is being agressive, even a maltese can. Generally the larger breed dogs look “scary” and do not need to go through the hassel of cropping ears.

b. for strength, depends what kind of shape the dog is in and the general behavior of the dog. You should not get a dog just cause it looks scary.

Could a vet crop a Labradors ear? Yes of course, it’s an ear like any other canine ear *but* no reasonable person would want it done…..

It’s the minority of fools in a breed that want “a mean beast of a dog by their side”, to support their fragile egos, that considerably contribute to its bad reputation.

A breed is not customarily cropped to make it look mean, it’s a procedure with a functional purpose for dogs bred to work &/or the breed standard requires it.

Theoretically yes. In practice, no. The pup would have to be cropped before 12 weeks, and I don’t think most vets would do this to a lab. It does limit their expression, and it’s quite painful.

You’d want to check the laws in your country, it’s legal in the U.S. but illegal in most of Europe and Australia.

I’d understand wanting to do it if the parents of your lab puppy had a tendency to ear problems- I know a few labs who constantly get ear infections etc and would benefit from having cropped ears- but for cosmetic reasons on a lab would just look kind of stupid.

No, you can not crop a Lab’s ears. It is not in the breed standard and no vet will do it.

Why do you need a “strong” dog? Being a toy dog owner are you even prepared to own a powerful breed? There are many of breeds “stronger” than APBT’s. Do research on breeds you are interested in. Many breeds call for ear cropping in their standards (a practice I personally don’t believe in).

If you are looking for a dog for protection purposes or just because it “looks” mean, I suggest you do not get another dog at all.

first off, im against cropping any dogs ears. its highly painful for the dogs and the only thing we get out of it is that our dog looks a little bit meaner. labs are too nice and fun loving to ever be called mean. And pitbulls are the same. As long as the dogs are in a good home then they will turn out great. if you want a dog that looks mean but is actually a real sweetie, you should get a pitbull. Just dont be a jackass and treat him badly.

Of course you cant crop thier ears. Get a black lab, people are intimidated by black dogs before other colours. Labs a happy friendly dogs and make good family pets. They are solid dogs that like to be exercised and be active as they are retrievers, and like to work.