What is your opinion of cropping ears and tails and fancy haircuts?

[wolf_Q]

Both of my dogs tails were cropped when we got them (schnauzer and poodle). Reggie's (schnauzer) ears are not cropped however, and I adore his big ears! I have a stupid question, has anyone ever seen a schnauzer without a cropped tail? Serious, that would be quite weird (and cute too I'm sure!)...I've seen poodles w/o cropped tails, and they look cute. My opinions on fancy haircuts: I don't think it should be a big deal, but some dogs, like the ones I have...if you DON'T clip their hair at least some, they get to looking like a big ball of scruff, their hair grows too fast. Reggie just gets the puppy cut, and with Smokey we usually just trim his hair down, and around his face and paws.

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[Iditarodfan]

Glad to see this topic has been raised. I am against cropping, docking & extreme hair cutting on dogs. Just as I am against "puppy mills" and breeders who are not responsible. I love my mutt, Molly G. and think most dogs were originally working dogs & thus they are intelligent & need activities to keep them from getting into trouble with intolerant people.
Happy Trails from an Iditarodfan

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Wolf_Q I have never personally seen a Schnauzer with a natural tail, however I have seen them on the Schnauzer rescue where they have natural ears and tails. Daisy, like your schnauzer, has natural big ears and we love them, but her tail was docked when we got her. Perry came to us with ears cropped and tail already docked.

[wolf_Q]

Do anyone happen to have a pic of a schnauzer with a natural tail? Just curious, I'd like to see one.

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[aly]

Tail docking and ear cropping I'd never do. Even if it was a pain-free procedure, I probably still wouldn't do it. I must admit I like the look of those cute stubby tails but I wouldn't have it done. I have nothing against fancy hair cuts. I personally don't really like them on my dogs though. I get Reece the puppy cut and even that is too froo froo for me. As long as it is not harmful to the dog though, I think any haircut is fine.

[This message has been edited by aly (edited May 06, 2001).]

[4 feline house]

Not having dogs, I usually post on the cat side. Curious as to why the dog side has thousands more posts than the cat side, I thought I'd visit. Maybe it was good that I did.

Having once worked for a vet, I have been there when tails were docked and ears were cropped. I always had to run in the bathroom, turn on the water, and cover my ears to keep from hearing the little days old puppies scream. I wouldn't come out until the people were gone, making my boss check them out, because I could not look them in the eye.

[Pam]

Being a poodle owner for the last 30 years I thought I'd weigh in here. Unless you know the breeder way ahead of time, before your puppy is born, by the time you get to see the litter the tails will have been cut and the dew claws removed. I really don't feel strongly here one way or the other. The breed is to have a certain look so it is done to conform. I have never shown my dogs so it really would not matter to me, but like I said the deed had already been done by the time I saw them.

As far as the fancy clipping goes, I have never had any of my dogs in anything but the puppy cut. It is an easy cut to maintain and I think it just looks nicer. I understand the possible need for the fancy cuts when a dog is being shown. I am sure it enables the judges to better discern the quality of the coats and also the skin under the coats since these cuts definitely reveal both. Even though these cuts are not my cup of tea, I do very much appreciate the time and patience and art work that it takes to create this look and I still root for them heartily at Westminster!! I even think that my dogs actually have felt better about themselves after their baths and grooming. My main complaint is the misplaced ideas about poodles that come from the "sissy" cuts. They are anything but sissy dogs. They are extremely intelligent dogs who are capable of doing most anything one would desire of them. The fancy cuts do give them a bad rap.

[Corinna]

Ok I'm going to make some mad but as a springer and former cocker owner. I'm with the going a head and crop and dock.
Ear cropping saves lots of ear problems (having a cronic sore ear kid I know) I had a cocker that didn't have a docked tail and one who did, long tail always full of feces. Sorry but for health reasons I'm for it.

[wolf_Q]

I agree with you, poodles get such a bad rep! I've been made fun of before because I own a poodle. My dog is NOT prissy. He *prefers* to lay in the dirt, dig in the mud and he can fetch sticks in the lake like any retriever! (and he is 15 years old mind you) I will say one thing though, poodles are demanding, at least mine is...if he wants something, he TELLS you.

My main complaint is the misplaced ideas about poodles that come from the "sissy" cuts. They are anything but sissy dogs. They are extremely intelligent dogs who are capable of doing most anything one would desire of them. The fancy cuts do give them a bad rap.[/B]

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