Being the mom of a Basset Hound, I simply love big ears and would never want to crop them. Why put them through pain just to have them look nice? I personally think that's sick. Same thing with tails. What's wrong with a long waggy tail? I find dogs are cuter when they have their ears and tails. As for the haircuts, they don't really bother me. I think they look pretty stupid, but at least it doesn't harm the animal. Well, as far as we know at least... it might get made fun of by the other dogs!