appology wrote:-snip-
Edit--
But isn't neuter/spaying done to prevent overpopulation in animals such as cats? Or maybe it is done in a household full of bitches and dogs that are working (or not) and the person does not want, cannot afford or cannot look after a bunch of puppies? I feel as though ear cropping is more of a cosmetics-reason (I hear that you got your cartillage removed-- whether for cosmetic or health factors I am unsure of) rather than a 'health' (if you put it like that) reason.
Spay/neuter may be to prevent unwanted litters, but it is still an invasive and mostly unnecessary surgery. It isn't impossible to keep an intact dog from reproducing. It's not even something I would consider difficult given that my intact male is almost 4 now and has yet to sire any litters intentionally or accidentally.
In a multiple dog home it's still not impossible or overly difficult thing to prevent. I know plenty of dog owners who have both genders intact who crate/rotate and just pay attention to their dogs.
Spay/neuter isn't majorly for "health" concerns, it's a quick end all preventative pushed by shelters and some vets because it's easier to trust just anyone with a dog knowing it won't contribute to overpopulation.
Meanwhile cropping can be for more than just cosmetic reasons, granted it is mostly done cosmetically. For working dogs in breeds where crop/dock are common it's to prevent injuries while working. Which is why working crops are typically less visually appealing than show crops. Personally I like the looks of both depending on the dogs head shape.
It can also be entirely for health reasons.
Though my dobermans ears are cropped and flopped, he still has far fewer ear infections than he did as a puppy with his natural ears. Prior to his ears being cropped it was ear infection after ear infection even with me cleaning his ears dang near every day and using medicated ear drops every however many days the vet said. Post ear crop he has gotten 2, maybe 3, ear infections total.