This is the only personal experiece I have with the subject. I have a boxer/pit mix, but really he's mostly boxer. We have a constant problem with his "happy tail". He's always knocking it on things and it bleeds and bleeds. To amputate his tail now would be a major, painful and expensive orthopedic procedure that can have serious complications. Whereas, if it had been done when he was a puppy it's a simple thing that requires one stitch. I personally think it's no worse than people that circumsize their baby boys. JMHO

Now....having said THAT, I persoanlly like a dog with a tail and I would never choose to dock a tail simply for cosmetic reasons. And as I stated before, in my opinion cropping ears is just wrong.