Tail docking and ear cropping, for or against and WHY?

I'm fully for it in actual working dogs and for quality show dogs (in the U.S.) when it's part of the breed standard.

Other than that, there is generally absolutely no point to it for your basic pet quality dog.

Edit: Dew claw removal can be quite necessary--ever seen a dog get one snagged on something and ripped right out? OUCH. I wouldn't do it myself because I have no idea what the hell I'm doing in that department...It's not just clipping it down with clippers, it's completely removing it.

Tail docking...useless and completely cosmetic. People like it because it differentiates breeds which look alike...case in point: the Aussie is docked and the Border Collie is not. Find an Aussie with a natural tail and it most likely looks like any other Border Collie.

If working/herding/field dogs run the risk of injury to their tails, then ALL of these prospective breeds would also be docked. Case in point again, Pointers are NOT docked, have a LONG natural tail, yet German Shorthaired Pointers ARE.

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are docked, Cardigans are NOT docked.

If large tails that clear a table were the concern for breeds such as the Boxer and others, then ALL of the other breeds with large heavy tails would also be docked, including Labs, Goldens, and Great Danes.

As for ear cropping, well I could write a whole novel about all the reasons why this is cruel and completely, 100% unnecessary, and purely for the cosmetic appeal of the HUMAN eye. The dogs benefit in NO way, regardless of what any supporter of this asanine practice will tell you.

If the reason for cropping is to keep the ears clean, well then we ought to crop Goldens, Labs, Cockers, all Spaniels, Hounds etcetera.

Cropping just looks so terrible to me, I cannot imagine even rescuing an already cropped breed, and I am open to rescuing near any dog that needs a new safe place.

I think all people who crop their dogs ears have no right having ANY animals, if they are willing to subject their dogs to such pain and suffering, ALL for the visual appeal of their own eyes.

Thank GOD the UK, Australia, and some other areas have banned this inhumane practice. I wish America would do the same, but unfortunately we have the nazi AKC and breed parent clubs who would scream bloody murder should such a proposition be introduced. Ah yes, how dare someone attempt to take away the "Right to physically mutilate and destroy a necessary part of the canine body".

Dew Claws: HELLO?? Dogs are born with that extra "thumb" digit for a reason. Chopping it off is the same as declawing a cat.

All of these procedures are at the same disgusting level as de-barking, and most people do not agree with this. Those who do see their dogs solely as property, or maybe lawn ornaments, and therefore think they can do whatever they like to their dogs, because of course, they are THEIR dogs and they will do to them what they want to do!

If you are against de-barking, why aren't you against chopping off tails and ears??

And why do we give them such nice names, docking and cropping? I call them as it is: Ear chopping and Tail chopping.

I believe that if the dog is working, and it serves a purpose, then I'm for it. ( I don't know the reasoning behind docking/cropping in all breeds, so can't comment on that part of it.)-

I think that there is a push in this country (at least in poodles) to do away with the tail docking. The problem, is that until the breed standards get changed, then the reputable breeders will continue to dock, because it must be done within days of birth, and there is no way to tell at that age which dogs will be show quality.

So, it's up to the breed clubs to make the change. Until they do, docking and cropping will continue I'm afraid.

Depends. I worked at a vet clinic and had to assist in the surgeries and both are pretty gross.

I'm not for ear cropping at all.

Tail docking is sometimes beneficial if you have a breed with a LONG tail and don't want them knocking everyone out with it. I have a dog with a very long skinny tail and she is always knocking everything over.

Dew claws I'm against.

Its a moot point in regard to tails since that decision is made by the breeder at 3 days old. Almost all terriers are cropped to some degree whether you realize it or not. In regard to ears, many people are choosing not to get their pets done, but it does change the familiar look of the dog for the average person and most people pick dogs on looks not on work ability or temperament.

Both are totally sick procedures done for purely cosmetic reasons. However, as for show dogs, if either is done, that limits where the dog can be shown. European dog shows ban both cropped ears and docked tails.

If it's a personal pet and not a working/show dog, then I see NO reason to crop/dock.

If the dog is born with floppy ears and a long tail, who are we, to change that?

Makes no sense to me. Just like declawing a cat (if you don't want the claws, don't get the cat!) or debarking a dog (again, if you don't want the bark, don't get the dog!)

We do way too much for our own reasons, and not for the animal.

I am against it for looks because it just causes the dog needless pain. However, I was thinking about a schnauzer and trying to imagine one without a docked tail. I have an easier time imagining dogs with natural ears because it's more common to leave their ears alone than their tails.

docking and cropping is done to achieve a look at the animals expense. the declaw, i recently discovered is also done for looks. most claw injuries happen to the front claws. i'm against all 3

Against it. No reason whatsoever to dock tails or crop ears. It's cruel in my opinion. Unnecessary pain.