I am against cropping, docking and fancy
haircuts, unless for health and/or safety reasons. I believe that some dogs are sterotyped because of this procedure. In certain breeds of dogs, their look is intimidating. A gentleman who has the same vet as I has one of the most beautiful dobermans I have ever seen. He is un-cropped, un-docked (are those words?) and is so sweet natured and devoted to his owner. All dobermans may be this way but some people can't get past the intimidating look to discover this. I thought this way until I had the pleasure of living across the street from a gentle doberman. I also had the pleasure of meeting a Standard Poodle without the "foo-foo puff ball" cut (as my 11 yr old calls it) He was trimmed neatly and absolutly beautiful. Poodles are great family pets, but with the cut the perception is sometimes that they are spoiled, costly, pamperd animals with no real use. I admit have stereotyped only to find out later the wonderful qualities these animals possess. I'm not saying you should care what others think. I just think that if they were born with a certain look, why not accept them they way they are? If anyone can give me a good reason as to why these procedures are done, I would love to learn.