Ear Clipping and Tail Docking

[Erika]

I think it is cruel to clip dog's ears now for no other reason than tradition. I can understand it when they were trying to protect the dogs ears from wild boars and fighting and such, but now it is just mean. They do it when they are two weeks old and it is a very painful experience. More people are now opting for natural looks for their dogs, and I am glad. But there are still many more with cropped ears, as it is most popular with the AKC. When we rescued Nikki, her tail and ears were already done. I don't believe tails are as bad as ears because they dock them when the pup is only 2 or 3 days old and the tail is still cartilage. I would have rather had them natural, though. Poor Nikki had to go through that. What are your opinions?

[Kfamr]

I do not agree with either of them.
I could understnad tail docking IF the dogs tail became injured.


Overall I think both precedures are absolutely unnecessary and cruel, there's no reason for either of them.

[K9soul]

I don't like either one, and wish they were illegal in the U.S., especially ear cropping. Ear cropping is the worst because of the prolonged pain, and also chance of infection if not properly cared for and so on. I think it should be done for medically necessary reasons only.

I did some research on all this awhile back, and read that some vets are beginning to refuse to do the cropping procedures because they have personally witnessed the intense pain the dogs go through.

People get used to how dogs looked cropped or docked and so they "like it better." But I think if they were used to uncropped and docked, then suddenly saw a cropped/docked dog, they would not like it better at all. I know when I was younger the first time I saw uncropped/docked dogs in a book, it took me a bit to get used to how it looked.

[dukedogsmom]

I'm not getting into this discussion again.

[chocolatepuppy]

I don't like either. I personally woudn't do it to any dog of mine. I like look of boxers and dobbies without their ears done since I've seen a few.

[binka_nugget]

I prefer dogs completely natural. I've grown to like how APBTs and Dobermans look with natural ears.

A friend of mine watched docking done on pups (they were at least 4 weeks old). The way she described it made me tear up.

[cocker_luva]

im neutral about the subject.

[EssTer]

I like much better natural doggies
I know one great dane owner, she docked her dane's tail..I was asking why - she said mostly all great danes, when they get older they broke their tails..Well, breeder from who we got our past dane had owned many danes, and she said there were no probems..
In many contries (in Iceland too) they've banned to dock tails and crop ears.. I think it is good...

[primabella]

What could be nicer than the natural look?

Not only do I thik it's a pretty cruel procedure but I prefer the natural look so much more. We used to tape Mickey's ears forward so they'd grow to flop over, but they never stayed, so we stopped. And I really love his ears this way; pointy and straight-up. They look like kitty ears, hehe.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by EssTer
I like much better natural doggies
I know one great dane owner, she docked her dane's tail..I was asking why - she said mostly all great danes, when they get older they broke their tails..Well, breeder from who we got our past dane had owned many danes, and she said there were no probems..
In many contries (in Iceland too) they've banned to dock tails and crop ears.. I think it is good...

(I'm not saying this towards you, I'm saying this towards the subject of dogs breaking their tails )


Lots of children break their arms, their legs, their "butt bones" and many, many other bones... does that mean we should start chopping limbs off because we're afraid of them getting broken in the future?

I mean, a tail is like a limb for dogs. They use it for swimming, they use it for balance and so on...

[DogLover9501]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
I'm not getting into this discussion again.

Ditto...

[EssTer]

Originally posted by Kfamr
(I'm not saying this towards you, I'm saying this towards the subject of dogs breaking their tails )


Lots of children break their arms, their legs, their "butt bones" and many, many other bones... does that mean we should start chopping limbs off because we're afraid of them getting broken in the future?

I mean, a tail is like a limb for dogs. They use it for swimming, they use it for balance and so on...

Well said about those children

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by Kfamr
[BI mean, a tail is like a limb for dogs. They use it for swimming, they use it for balance and so on... [/B]

But what about dogs with natural bobtails? Does this mean they are less adept at swimming, finding balance etc?

I also don't agree with using the excuse that a dog might break it's tail so better to dock it now.

That being said I like the look of docked and cropped dogs. I have a problem with people who try to explain it away by saying oh the dog may have broken it's tail, or may get ear infections. That's BS, they're getting it done for looks.

[Denyce]

I have a feeling this is sort of like the cat issue of declawing. It can get real nasty and has been discussed numerous times. But on the other hand for those that are new it is always good to reopen this type of discussion only trying to keep it civil.

I don't agree with docking or cropping at all. I feel that for the AKC to require it as a breed standard is so wrong. I don't know...what more can one say. It is just wrong. *shrug*

I can't think off the top of my head any breeds that have a naturally occuring bobtails.

I also don't agree with it in cattle or horses either. Tail docking that is. I really don't see how anyone can agree with such a procedure just for the reason of vanity or convenience.

Denyce

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by Denyce
I can't think off the top of my head any breeds that have a naturally occuring bobtails.

Catahoula leopard dogs, stumpy tail cattle dogs, and australian shepherds are a few breeds with natural bobtails.