docking and cropping

[Mordy]

change mind? mine or yours? lol

i don't think that tail docking is all that painful for a dog (definitely less so than ear cropping), but absence of pain doesn't mean it's allright to perform a surgery that's strictly done for cosmetic reasons, with very, very few exceptions in true working dogs, and even in those it's just on a case by case basis.

i believe that people who insist in cropping and docking even in pet dogs are either just uncomfortable to break with old habits or too set in their ways about how a certain breed "should" look.

i know that there is no arguing about taste, but personally i find that uncropped/undocked dogs are more beautiful, especially the breeds where the ears are generally cropped to look like someone chopped them off with a pair of kitchen shears.

 

[rottiegirl]

Dogs who have cropped ears are more of a deterrent to criminals, so they are better as guard dogs. Lets face it, dobes look more serious or vicious with cropped ears. that is the main reason why they have cropped ears in the first place.

 

[taratippy]

Now that would be a reason for me not to crop I dont want my dogs considered vicious looking and so more dangerous hence more likely to be injured or worse! My dogs are my pets not guard dogs or anything else. Croping and docking totally unnecessary procedures that are done for people who 'want my dog to look hard'! It seems such a shame that dogs cant be dogs but have to be chopped and changed for people to want them.

 

[rottiegirl]

Guard dogs

The doberman was bred to protect man, in fact its the only breed that was created for that reason. Just because you only want a family dog does not mean that there are other people that need guard dogs. There are single women out there that live by them selves who need a dog that can protect them and act as a deterrent to criminals. Criminals think twice before entering a home when they see a scarry dog. This has nothing to do with the low lifes who want a dog that looks hard. Guard dogs surve a purpose and cropping their ears really helps them out!

 

[Dizzy]

I would not pierce my babies ears (if I had one) never mind slice body parts off my dog. It is unfair to do something like that to an innocent unknowing creature (be it baby or animal!).

If a dog is WORKING in the field, I think that is different circumstances. But even then, a cut tail isn't an everyday occurance and can be fixed. I agree with the poster who mentioned she broke her toes, but didn't think she'd cut her leg off (just in case it happened again in the future)! A funny yet totally true point!

Slicing off ears is for aesthetic purposes only - purely for HUMANS pleasure. It is mutilation for OUR benefit.

People are so used to seeing a dog looking a certain way, that is the only reason these practices still happen. Tradition is not always best keeping.

If everyone stopped today, I guarentee in a few years noone would even remember how the dog used to look and would find no tail, sliced off ears totally peculiar!


Please, if someone has one VALID reason with evidence for cropping/docking, please enlighten me.

 

[taratippy]

Any dog will act as a deterrent to criminals so long as they bark, my dogs are scary enough without hacking any bits of them. So Dobies were bred to protect so why does that mean they have to have cropped ears they will do their job just as well with full ears.

 

[rottiegirl]

Dizzy and tara...

Tara, louis dobermann (the man who created the dobe) cropped his dogs ears so they would look more fierce. He cropped them for a reason and it must have worked, because he never stopped. A doberman that has natural ears looks more friendly than one who has cropped ears, and that would make the dog less usefull as a deterant. Dizzy, the comment about breaking toes is ridiculous! A dog does not use their tail to walk like a human uses their legs. Working dogs do benefit from docking. Why make them suffer through the pain of breaking their tail while at work when you can prevent any pain by docking? Docking is done with anesthetic so they dont feel a thing. By not docking a working dogs tail is cruel in its self!

 

[Gallien Jacks]

I dont think cropping is cruel, but pups do go through a little more pain with it.

So why put them through it when its just for what some people prefer?

 

[taratippy]

Just because it was done originally doesnt make it right, some breeds were bred for fighting originally does that mean we should keep fighting them? The Chow was bred for eating, wanna carry on with that, because its tradition? We as a civilised society have moved on from these things hopefully. I have my dogs because I love them regardless of how they look. The only reason for cropping is cosmetic, you dont like the look of a dog with natural ears, thats your choice, me I'll take my dogs just the way they come, temperament come first with me not looks, thats my choice. My dogs are not docked or cropped but believe me they're deterrant enough for any criminal, however I do not expect my dogs to protect me, even though they do, I see it as my job to protect and care for my dogs.

As for docking, how many of those boxers, dobies, rotties etc do you see actually working? Certainly not many round here, again its 'tradition'. And please do not tell me its cruel not to dock a dog, dogs do use their tails no not as legs, they already have 4 of those, but for balance. Thin whippy tails are the most likely to get damaged, fact, so how many greyhounds do you see docked? They do get damaged tails but no way would they be docked as the tail is paramount in helping them balance and race round tight corners.

 

[Dizzy]

Working dogs do benefit from docking. Why make them suffer through the pain of breaking their tail while at work when you can prevent any pain by docking? Docking is done with anesthetic so they dont feel a thing. By not docking a working dogs tail is cruel in its self!

Where is the evidence that dogs mostly injure their tails when working? Has this been looked into? Or is it all rumour and myth? I am scientifically minded, if the evidence is there I will go with it. I would like to see evidence, not opinions.. And this is a case where evidence can be gathered.

Also, how many dogs are bred for working vs. becoming a pet/show dog? Explain the rational for getting your pet done other than aesthetics?

 

[rottiegirl]

It is cruel to leave a WORKING dogs tail natural, because their tails could get injured and inflict severe pain. No, not alot of dogs work any more, but docking does not cause any pain. A dogs tail is used more for body language than for balance. Dogs do just fine with a docked tail, it does not keep them from being unbalanced and living a normal life. I have a rottie/dobe mix and she doesnt even notice that her tail has been docked. Making a fuss over docking is nonsence, because it does not hurt them in any way! Why change something that is apart of a breeds history?

 

[Dizzy]

That is still not a reason, or even an excuse, for doing it.

That is just aesthetics...

 

[Gallien Jacks]

Ok I will add something else if I may what do you all think of dew claw removel?

 

[rottiegirl]

Wonderfull site

Ok, take a look at this site. It will explain everything. look at the pictures and stories of working dogs and family dogs. It has very good information! http://www.cdb.org/letters.htm Some pups that have their tails docked while sleeping dont even wake up! I think dew claw removal is a good thing, because they get ripped off if they are not removed.

 

[Gallien Jacks]

I also think dww claw removel is a good thing, what I fint strange over here in England, is that vets wont dock tails so that means that its left to the breeder to do it, I think this is silly surely its better for a vet to dock than a breeder?

 

[rottiegirl]

I think it should be against the law for any breeder to dock.

 

[Gallien Jacks]

I think it should be against the law for any breeder to dock.

Me too I just dont understand the rule? Its so stupid if a vet says yes and does it they will be sacked, vets are allowed to do the dew claw removel though

 

[taratippy]

The rules were bought in to try and stop the docking of tails as it was considered unnecessary and many vets disagreed with doing it as most dogs do not go into a working situation.

Must say all my dogs have their dew claws and Ive never had a problem with them

 

[joce]

Dizzy, did you not read any of this?! I'm guessing you are young so I'll let it go but when people write the reasons down don't ignore them and then say there are none and its purely cosmetic Because i know pain and blood flying all over isn't a good reason!

It may be unnecesarry for some but not for dogs that I see. we don't live in tiny little apartments were the dogs are kept in a bubble. As far as breeders vs vets doing it I would rather see a vet do it. Its not that expensive so it shouldn't be an excuse for a breeder.

 

[taratippy]

Well Ive read it all and not seen where anyone has cropping isnt for cosmetic reasons, may I ask why you had your dogs ears cropped? I take it wasnt because you like the look then? Please humour me and tell me your reason again if necessary

Oh and I dont think there was any reason to be quite so patronising to Dizzy you have no idea whether she is young. Im not and no I dont live in an apartment and Ive yet to see anyone wrap a lurcher in bubble wrap!