I have just scanned thru some of your responses and it seems most agree with how I feel. Docking and ear cropping shouldn't be done. Dogs are beautiful just the way they are. Don't mess with the good thing nature has provided for us. Domesticated animals are dependant on humans for a healthy and fulfilling life. Why would we want to cut and crop there body parts just for our certain desires? They can't speak for themselves and if they could I'm sure they would throw a fit and say leave me alone!! We have to be their voice - as corny as that sounds. If cropping a tail is done because for a real purpose like to Australian Shepards then it's understandable (but only the tail!) But, if it absolutely doesn't HAVE to be done then I would leave it alone. I couldn't imagine putting a dog through that. One question though, isn't cropping a tail less harsh than the ears? It just doesn't seem like cropping a tail is all that painful or cruel. Not that humans would truly know what it feels like. I still don't advocate it though.
I live in Arizona and I worked at a vet's clinic for awhile and I think there was only one doctor in the entire Phoenix/Scottsdale/Mesa/Tempe area that cropped ears. No other doctor would do it! Thank God!!

Angel