Ear Cropping in Québec and Canada: Legal Overview and Why Wonder Doberman Supports the Movement Towards Natural Ears

In the world of dogs, few breeds are as iconic and instantly recognizable as the Doberman Pinscher. Whether standing tall as a loyal protector or gracefully working alongside their human companions, Dobermans are famous for their intelligence, athleticism, and striking silhouette.

Historically, part of that silhouette included cropped ears and a docked tail—features many people believed defined the breed’s elegance and strength (see our post on origins of the breed here). But times are changing. Across Canada, there has been a clear and determined shift away from cosmetic surgeries in dogs, including ear cropping, driven by a growing understanding of animal welfare and veterinary ethics.

Here at Wonder Doberman, we believe these changes are overdue—and we proudly support the movement towards natural, unaltered Dobermans.

This article explores the current laws banning ear cropping in Quebec and Canada, the new legislation soon to take effect in Ontario, the reasons behind these legal changes, and why we are committed to breeding and loving Dobermans exactly as nature designed them.

Understanding Ear Cropping: What Is It and Why Was It Done?

Ear cropping is a surgical procedure in which a veterinarian cuts away part of the dog’s outer ear (the pinna) and then tapes or splints the remaining portion so that it heals in an upright position. For Dobermans, cropping is typically performed on puppies between 7 and 12 weeks old, while the cartilage is still pliable enough to train into a vertical shape.

Originally, ear cropping was considered a functional procedure. In the breed’s early days in Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Dobermans were bred to be guard dogs and protectors. Cropped ears supposedly:

• Prevented injury during work or combat (since floppy ears could be torn)
• Reduced the risk of ear infections (although modern evidence does not support this claim)
• Enhanced hearing by allowing more sound into the ear canal

Over time, however, ear cropping became largely cosmetic. Breed standards established by kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) included cropped ears as the preferred look for show Dobermans, contributing to a cultural expectation that a “correct” Doberman had tall, alert ears.

But the question arises: Do those traditional reasons justify an elective surgery that causes pain and requires weeks or months of recovery?

For most veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and many breeders—including Wonder Doberman—the answer is clear: No.

The Legal Status of Ear Cropping in Québec and Canada

Across Canada, provincial laws and veterinary regulations have evolved in recent decades to prohibit or strongly discourage ear cropping. Here’s how the landscape looks today:

Quebec

In Quebec, ear cropping for cosmetic purposes has been prohibited under provincial animal welfare laws for years. The administrative process turns out to be rather convoluted and involved several different agencies, however:

On February 10, 2024, the Regulation Respecting the Welfare and Safety of Domestic Companion Animals and Equines come into force in Quebec.

The full text of the legislation is available here or here

The province has adopted regulations that ban any surgical procedure that does not have a clear therapeutic or medical benefit to the animal. Veterinarians in Quebec can only perform such surgeries if there is a legitimate health indication (such as treating an injury or disease affecting the ear).

This makes Quebec one of the provinces with the strictest protections against unnecessary cosmetic procedures in dogs.

Ontario

Currently, Ontario does not have explicit provincial legislation banning ear cropping, but the practice is under severe scrutiny. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO), which licenses veterinarians, already prohibits its members from performing ear cropping for cosmetic reasons (see here) . This effectively means you cannot legally get a licensed Ontario veterinarian to crop your dog’s ears.

However, loopholes have existed, such as breeders or unlicensed individuals offering cropping surgeries or arranging procedures in other jurisdictions. To address this, in December 2023 the Ontario government has announced new legislation (see here) that will outright ban the practice, closing these gaps in enforcement.

The upcoming law is expected to:

• Make it illegal for anyone to crop a dog’s ears in Ontario
• Prohibit arranging or advertising cropping services
• Align Ontario’s policies with the strictest animal welfare standards in the country

Once this law takes effect, ear cropping will be effectively prohibited in every province and territory in Canada.

Note: Bill 159 – Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act has received Royal Assent in Ontario on June 6, 2024.

In Ontario, when an act receives Royal Assent, it means the Lieutenant Governor has formally approved a bill passed by the Legislative Assembly, making it a law. This is the final step in the legislative process for a bill to become an act of the province.

Elsewhere in Canada

Most provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, have already moved to ban or severely restrict cosmetic ear cropping. Like Ontario, many provinces rely on their veterinary regulatory bodies to enforce these bans, with professional standards prohibiting vets from performing such surgeries.

Put simply: Canada has joined the leader (Europe) in banning cosmetic alterations of dogs, recognizing that animals deserve protection from unnecessary pain and invasive procedures.

The Veterinary Perspective

The movement against ear cropping in Canada has been largely driven by veterinary medicine. Major organizations have taken clear positions:

• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA): Opposes cosmetic surgeries in animals, including ear cropping and tail docking.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Recommends elimination of ear cropping from breed standards and considers it medically unnecessary.
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA): Opposes all non-therapeutic surgical alterations.

Reasons veterinarians oppose ear cropping include:

1. Pain and Distress: Even when performed under anesthesia, the procedure causes pain during and after surgery. Recovery involves discomfort, risk of infection, and prolonged bandaging.
2. No Proven Health Benefits: Despite claims that cropping reduces infections, studies have found no evidence that Dobermans with natural ears have higher infection rates than cropped dogs. In fact, a lot of veterinarians claims that natural ears have lower risk of infection.
3. Ethical Concerns: Veterinarians are increasingly committed to practices that prioritize animal welfare and quality of life. Altering an animal’s body solely for human aesthetic preference conflicts with these principles.

Common Myths About Ear Cropping

Myth #1: Cropped ears are healthier.

Fact: There is no credible scientific evidence that cropping prevents infections or improves hearing.

Myth #2: Dobermans must have cropped ears to compete in shows.

Fact: In Canada, dogs with natural ears can be shown. Many judges welcome and even prefer natural presentations. More breeders are proudly showing unaltered dogs. Wonder Doberman is proud to be one of the first breeder in Canada to show natural Doberman. Our first keeper Wonder Scylla is Canadian Grand Champion (see here).

Myth #3: Cropping makes a Doberman look more intimidating and therefore deters intruders.

Fact: A Doberman’s presence, temperament, and training—not their ear shape—are the most powerful deterrents to criminals. Additionally, if your Doberman is a companion rather than a working guard dog, intimidation shouldn’t be the priority.

How Wonder Doberman Supports the Ban

At Wonder Doberman, we embrace the natural, unaltered Doberman. We believe that loving this breed means respecting their health, well-being, and authentic form.

We do not crop ears and never will. Our puppies are raised with the highest ethical standards and socialized to be confident and happy with their natural ears.

We believe this reflects a deeper respect for our dogs—not as decorative objects, but as sentient beings who deserve compassion and dignity.

We are proud to see Ontario joining Quebec and the rest of Canada in outlawing this outdated practice. As breeders and stewards of this incredible breed, it is our responsibility to set an example and show that a Doberman doesn’t need cropped ears to be beautiful, noble, or true to type.

Natural Ears Are the Future of the Breed

If you are considering bringing a Doberman into your life, you may wonder what natural ears look like and whether they change the dog’s expression. The answer is simple: Natural ears are soft, expressive, and beautiful.

Natural ears often enhance the bond between human and dog because you can better see the full range of their emotions. A Doberman with natural ears can pin them back in affection, lift them in curiosity, or swivel them when listening.

More importantly, natural ears mean your puppy will never have to endure unnecessary surgery, pain, or weeks of recovery. They will start life exactly as they were meant to be—healthy and whole.

A Message to Prospective Puppy Families

At Wonder Doberman, we understand that ear cropping is a polarizing topic. Many people grew up seeing Dobermans with cropped ears and feel that it’s the “classic look.” But we invite you to reflect on why we choose to bring these extraordinary dogs into our families.

Is it for how they look—or for who they are?

We believe the Doberman’s spirit—loyal, brave, loving—shines through no matter the shape of their ears. By choosing natural ears, you’re taking a stand for animal welfare and showing the world that you care more about your dog’s happiness and health than about outdated beauty standards.

Conclusion: Embracing Change, Honoring Tradition

As Ontario has finalized its legislation banning ear cropping, Canada will become one of the few nations in the world with a nationwide consensus against cosmetic surgeries in dogs. This is something to be proud of.

At Wonder Doberman, we honor the Doberman’s proud working heritage. But we also embrace the evolution of our understanding of animal welfare. Our goal is to preserve everything that makes Dobermans extraordinary—their intelligence, athleticism, courage, and devotion—while leaving behind practices that no longer serve them.

We hope this article helps you understand why we fully support the new law in Ontario, why we respect Quebec’s pioneering ban, and why we are committed to raising Dobermans with natural ears.

If you have questions about our breeding philosophy or would like to learn more about living with a natural-eared Doberman, we welcome you to reach out. Let’s move forward together into a future where Dobermans are celebrated not only for how they look but for who they are.

Because in our eyes—and in the hearts of all who love them—a Doberman is perfect, just the way they are.