Cropping is another (see
docking) pseudo-veterinary procedure performed on very young
dogs. It is a mostly
cosmetic procedure, in which a portion of a dog's ear is cut off so that the rest of the
ear stands up straight. So, for example, a ferocious looking
doberman doesn't naturally have ears that stand up
demonically, naturally they are floppy.
The
American Kennel Club has this to say:
The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.
(Emphasis on the ludicrous mine.)
Note, dogs use the posture of their ears to
communicate emotion. Cutting the ears off is at least partially akin to cutting part of a human's
tongue.