Dog Owners Questions

[petjunkie]

I don't have any dogs yet as I live in a apartment but I was wondering what all you dog owners thought about tail docking and ear cropping. I think it's kinda wrong to make the dog look how you want it but I realize some dogs AKC requires it. Anyways what brought me to ask is my brother just got a free rottweiler puppy and they docked her tail funky, like a few inches too long. Looks pretty goofy but they were under the impression they were born that way. Don't rottys have big fluffy tails usually? Most of the dog breeds I am interested in getting have one or the other done so just looking for some info from people that own dogs. Thanks

 

[tall_90]

The dog had a long tail when born, usually when just a few days old it is cropped. to correct it at a later age would not be right. As for cropping ears i have done it with dobermans, there is supposed to be very little feeling in the ears due to all the cartilage. Such as when getting ears pierced.

 

[scsinet]

I personally don't understand why in the world you should modify a dog's body unless there is a quality of life issue, to prevent unwanted breeding, or to comply with local jurisdictions.
At the same time though I don't own a show dog, they aren't my thing, and if those circumstances are different, then that's different I suppose.
But IMO if you aren't going to show the dog there is no reason to do it purely for looks.

 

[praxithea]

I was on my way to being a vet and in this journey, I worked at a vet hospital for quite a few years. The tail cropping is ideally done when the pup is a couple days old and supposedly doesn't have feeling or at least very little. I have seen very prominant vets do this with nothing more than nail cutters and quikstop powder. My dog was an AKC show dog that had to have it to compete. This was unfortunate in my eyes because there was no medical need. His dew claws were also removed but at least this prevented him from ripping them off in the field while doing trials (fairly common). I can justify this better. Ear cropping requires the ears to be taped which is not that comfortable for your pet. Tail docking, Ear cropping, and Declawing of cats are ABSOLUTELY unnecessary. You will find that many kennel clubs in Europe are beginning not accepting these modifications.
In short - Unless it is or will be a serious show dog (which very few are) DO NOT MODIFY YOUR DOG. LET IT BE THE WAY IT SHOULD!
I am just a little opionated...

 

[poniegirl]

The practices started long ago for particular purposes with particular breeds didn't they? Short, close ears and tail for working and field dogs (guard, hunting and fighting), etc..Dew claws are a perfect example of a modification that was seen to benefit the animal.
I'm not neccessarily in favor, but I can understand both the naturalist side, as well as the folks that uphold the age-old standards for what a certain breed of animal is all about.

 

[ladylostinsalt]

I love a Boxer with floppy ears, they are just oo cute! Same for Rotties

 

[sepulatian]

Anyone that has a problem with docking dogs tail or modifying their ears may want to ask or answer the question of why boys are circumcized. It serves a purpose and looks better. Sorry if this sounds rude, I certainly don't mean it to be.

 

[sepulatian]

My Jack, Pure champion bloodline complete with docked tail and formed ears. I bought him in south Virginia from a breeder. I live in NY his line was bread for calm temperment. Anyone who owns a jack knows what I mean!!! He is pure muscle and a sweetheart. All modifications were made at three days old. No trauma whatsoever I assure you!!!

 

[nigerbang]

I dont really care either way..But have you ever seen a Doberman with a long tail...Looks odd..The ears look better on Dobies when they are cut but I dont know of any problems it may present later down the road..Where as I have never clipped ears I have cut tails before like mentioned before seemed to be quick and painless as possible..Razor and quickstop..pop..Gone.

 

[tree]

In many breeds the tails are docked as a way of preventing future injury for the dog or the humans it owns. If you've ever been hit by a full tail on rottie or boxer you will know what I mean. Ouch. Their tail can also become injured and would then require medical care.
Dew claw removal is for the same reason. I chose not to remove the dew claws on my lab mix and then had to have them removed when she was much older after she injured them. This caused her much pain and a lot of anxiety and guilt for me :-(
I'm not sure if there is any reasoning behind the cropping of ears for certain breeds but there likely is.

 

[teresaq]

A dobie with out the ears and tail done looks like a black and tan coon hound. I love the long cut show ears on a dobie. no its not needed for the dog to be happy, but it looks a lot better.
There are only 4 breeds i can think of right now that crop ears. dobie, great dane, pit, and boxer. long ago it was done to keep the ears from being urt while hunting, working or fighting, but now its done more for looks.

 

[agent-x]

our weimaraners have all had their tails docked. wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[petjunkie]

One of the dogs I really like is dobermans and I do think they look pretty silly with natural ears, I also like pits but don't mind their ears although I just saw a picture of one where they had cropped it's entire ear pretty much off. I forgot what kind of crop they called it but it looked really bad IMO.

 

[30-xtra high]

dogs can hardly feel their tails docked... feels like person getting ears pierced., but when their ears are cropped it is extremely paintful for them. all the dogs that were supposed to get cropped ears i have have never gotten their ears cropped due to the pain, i also like a floppy looks anyways, looks sweet and warm to me.

 

[mrdc]

My Jack Russell didn't mind when we formed his ears and cropped his tail but he sure got ticked off after with cropped his nads!

 

[poniegirl]

I have a feeling that the head cone is more painful than the actual cropping of the ears!
The practice is continued not just for looks, but for heritage.