Of all the dogs with cropped ears that I've ever met (which includes many bandogges and a few CO's) the only time that I've seen any sensitivity in their crops was shortly after they were done. I don't mind cropping as long as it's done at an early age. I think it's somewhat similar to circumcisions done while a boy is still an infant - you don't remember it. I think for certian LGDs it's almost a necessity (as well as docking their tails). If they need to defend the flock against a wolf or bear or whatever else, the ears and especially tail are just one more thing that can be grabbed ahold of and used to bring the dog down.