Tail Docking and Ear Cropping

[LilyofPhilly]

This was brought up in my cat declawing post. What do you know about ear cropping and tail docking in dogs? Is it cruel? Is it necessary or beneficial to the dog? Does it cause long-term harm? What about declaw removal?

I've only heard a little bit about these things, I don't know much. I just watched a video of a pup having his tail docked. It didn't seem to hurt him much at all. 

[AdrianneHill]

Dogs are cuter without their ears docked. But the moisture that can be trapped by long ears can start infections and drive the dogs insane with itching.

[DivingDiva]

The vets at the practice where I worked would do declawings if the client insisted, but they refused to do any docking or cropping because they felt it was cruel and unncessary.   I think dogs look way better without it.  If you take proper care of a dog's ears they are very unlikely to get infections. 

[justinnaimee]

I have two boxers with floppy ears. Their tails are docked but that happened before we got them.

I refuse to have cosmetic surgery done on my pets without sound reasoning.

[mumbosauce]

I think dogs look better without it, I decided NOT to dock my boxers ears and tail, we have had some issues with his ear but not enough to say we regret it BUT, I do regret not doing his tail now, he is constantly hitting it on the corners of the walls and breaking it open and bleeding. He has also whipped toddlers with his tail  because he loves babies and gets so excited when they come to visit.

[UpSheRises]

We got a dog from the humane society that had her ears and tail almost completely gone. Once in a while when we were walking her someone would say something like, "i think its terrible to do that to a dog" then give us the evil eye.

They were a little shorter than these ears:

[paaepae]

I personally love droopy ears on a dog. But it's whatever someone wants to do to their own pet. I am not telling someone what they should and shouldn't do with their pets, just like I am not telling them what to do with their kids.

[OHgirlinCA]

 I'd rather have a dog that doesn't have his ears cropped or his tail docked.  I think it's silly people do it to begin with.

[ms.sophsmom]

I'm nt sure.. can anyone tell me why corgis tails are often cut? I don't like their long tails but don't know why they're cropped.. keeps em out of the way while herding maybe?

[LillyJDv3.0]

Not something I would do. My cocker spaniel has an undocked tail. And with floppy-eared dogs, just take care of them- ear cleaning solution and cotton balls are not expensive. Both my dogs have floppy ears and neither one has ever had an ear infection or anything.

[LilyofPhilly]

Pic of your fur baby?

Quoting mumbosauce:

I think dogs look better without it, I decided NOT to dock my boxers ears and tail, we have had some issues with his ear but not enough to say we regret it BUT, I do regret not doing his tail now, he is constantly hitting it on the corners of the walls and breaking it open and bleeding. He has also whipped toddlers with his tail  because he loves babies and gets so excited when they come to visit.