Contraversial tail docking and ear cropping

Tail docking and ear cropping is by definition the cosmetic altering to a dog, known as cosmetic otoplasty. It is a very hottly debated subject and as such there is a larg division among all those involved in the dog world. All choosing sides, with their own very strong belief system as to why or why not the current status quo should continue or be banned as many countries have already done.

The AVMA (American Veterinay Medical Association) opposes tail docking and ear cropping classifying them as significant surgery that is purely cosmetic and unneccissary. The AKC (American Kennel Club) in the US says the procedures are “Integral to defining ad preserving breed character” as do many owners and handlers in AKC show rings.

But What is Tail Docking or Ear Cropping?………………………………….

Tail docking is precisey just as it sounds, the removal of a neonates tail shortly after birth, usually within the first few days. There are a couple of ways in which this is done, neither is with anesthesia. If the Veteranarian performs the procedure the puppy is taken to the vet within the first few days when the tail is still soft. The tail is simply cut off with the aid of surgical scissors. Proponents of the procedure believe because the puppy is not fully alert they will have little to no pain and will not remember the incident. Many breeders prefer to perform the amputation at home and do so with the use of elastic bands wound tightly around the tail. This cuts off the blood supply to the tail and the it dies, falling off within 7-10 days. Tail docking is regulary done in Australian Shepherds (although some are born with a natural bobtail), Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, German Short Haired Pointers, Airedale Terriers, Boxers, Irish Terriers, Poodles, and Schnauzers.

Over 130,000 ear croppings are done annually in the US. It is the surgical removal of 1/3 to 2/3rds of the dogs ears to allow them the stand erect or be cut very short to be very close to the head of the dog. This procedure, if done properly, is performed at the vet’s office under the use of anesthesia. A slice of the ear is removed and then taped and bound to a board for weeks to allow the ears to heal and stand erect once healing is complete. Other times the ear leather is to cut very close to the head of the dog to meet breed standards. We will discuss why this procedure was orginally implemented centuries ago. Today the procedure is purely for asthetics and to meet the current breed standards.

History of why these practices began……………………………….

About 2000 years ago in Roman times, the Romans regulary docked their dogs tails because they thought it would decrease the spread of rabies. Of course we know today this is not possible. Dog fights were a form entertainment and ears were cut back to lesson the chance of the opponent dog from being able to grab on to the ear and get the upper hand. They also believed the pointed erect ears made the dog look more fierce in the ring. Many hunters also regularly docked their hunting dogs as a precaution against wild animals ambushing their dogs and getting a hold of the tail or ears in an attack.

About the same time in England dogs used for hunting and gaming were highly taxed, but working dogs on the farm were not. To distinguish between the two, working dogs had docked tails. The side effect of this was owning a dog with a long tail was a sign of affluence.

When dogs were imported to the United States in the 17th and 18th century, Puritans regulary cut the tails of their dogs as they believed the tail was possessed by demons. For centuries, dogs have been surgically altered to aid a particular task in the working or hunting world.

Today dog fighting is banned and we are not, as a general rule, concerned about preditors grabbing our hunting dogs.

Dogs have been domesticated for over 15,000 years. The AKC currenty recognizes 200 seperate breeds - each with their own breed standards. Many breed standards include cropped ears or docked tails. It is estimated today approximately 37%-47% of US households own a dog - which equates to about 70 -80 million dogs in the US alone.

Breed standards were introduced to the UKC and the AKC in the 1800’s, with many written to include surgical intervention. Without following the standard, the dog is not admissible and can not be shown. Many of those same standards exist today and many believe these standrds should not be changed in order to preserve their repective breeds.

The argument to continue the practice today………………..

Today appearance is a key factor when selecting a dog. Years ago dogs served a particuar purpose, they had a job and appearance took second place to the dogs ability. Many dogs are still purchased to do a particular job such as service dogs and working farm dogs, but the majority of puppies bought today are simply household pets, bought to bring a comfort and joy to us. The practices used many years ago, or thought to prevent certain things such as rabies, no longer apply. Is there still a need to perform either procedure, other than a desire to retain a “look” ?

Some breeders retain the desire to crop tails because they believe it keeps energetic dogs such as Boxers, and Mastiffs from hurting their tail by thumping it against a hard surface. Many disagree, saying tail docking for preventative measures just isn’t enough justification. Docking tails can result in neuroma or nerve tremors which can cause pain and make the dog snappy if touched. Many develop lifelong neuropathic pain associated with nerve injury. Studies have shown that dogs communicate with their tails, showing anger, excitement and joy and loss of the appendage “may interfere with your dogs ability to interact with other dogs” Andy Roark - Veterinarian, Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, Greenville SC. Less than .23% of dogs with uncropped tails sustain such injuries, suggesting there is no reason to dock 500 tails to prevent one injury. Dog owners that have dogs with cropped ears argue that it is a necessary practice because it reduces ear infections when in reality 80% of dogs will never get an ear infection. Research has shown that the dogs most prone to ear infections are the Cocker Spaniel and Poodles, neither of which have their ears docked. Still proponents of the practice say that there is very little impact on the pup when cropping ears. The practice continues even though there is very little evidence to support that it is beneficial to the breed.

Dalton, (registrar with the Alberta Veterinarian Medical Association) has argued that there is no scientific justificaton for ear cropping or any cosmetic surguries as both are medically unnessary, cause pain to the animal and are inhumane.

Despite an almost country wide ban in Canada (all except for the province of Ontario), the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) supports freedom of choice saying tail docking and dew claw removal are performed for the safety in the field of working breeds and for hygienic reasons, that it prevents injury and promotes hygienic animal husbandry, that is is consistant with similar practices in the livestock industry. Some breeders are weighig in saying a total ban takes away their own personal choice - their freedom to choose and the desire to maintain breed standards.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) argues that tail docking and ear cropping is integral to defining and preserving breed character, when in particular, the American Medical Association opposes both practices as unneccessary medical risks and notes a sharp decline in the practice over the last 10 years.

Study performed by University of British Columbia Canada……………….

A few year ago the University of British Columbia published a research paper that was approved by the UBC Behavioral Research Ethics Board - Protocol # HIB00324. (National Library of Medicine ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4922641/ ) The study was done to raise public awareness as to how the physical look of a surgically altered dog is affected by the general population. The study was randomly given to practicing Veterinarians and dog breeders, purposely hiding the reason behind the study. The purpose was to learn how physical attraction affected how the dog and dog owner were perceived. Upon completion…………and remember it was veterinarians and dog breeders who completed the survey, it was found that 42% of the participantswere unable to correctly explain the reason for docked tails or cropped ears. The study found that the majority of the participants said that short tails and erect ears were the consequesnces of genetics rather than something the breeder had done. Pictures were shown to the participants of altered and unaltered dogs and were asked to rate how they felt about the temperament of the dog and then the owner. It was found that modified dogs were perceived to be more, aggressive, dominant, less playful and less attractive. when asked the same of the owners standing beside the dog - the owners were perceived to be more agressive, narcissistic, less playful, less talkative and less warm. The study concluded that the perception of both the dog and owner is affected by alteration for their entire life. Through this research it was shown that by eliminating cosmetic procedures you can alter people’s perception of both the dog and the owner. The negative perception of short ears and tails is unconsiously recognized.

Countries banning the practice………………………………..

The practice continues to occur here in the United States, but fewer and fewer Vets are willing to perform the procedures. Only the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania have a complete ban.

Across the world - many countries have outright bans, including our neighbors to the north, Canada. The only province left to implement an outright ban in Canada is the province of Ontario, every other province has a ban in place. Steep fines occur for performing the illegal procedures. Manitoba has a fine of $5000 - $30,000, Quebec fines of $1500 - $40,000

In the UK, including England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, it’s illegal unles medically necessary and performed by a licensed vet. It is refered to as mutilation under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. It is illegal for you to perform the procedures yourself or send the dog out of the country to have it performed.

Complete ban in Australia in 2004 with fines up to $14,375………………….5X that for a corporation

Banned in the European Union since 1998

Banned in New Zealand with $3000 fine for docking a tail and $5000 for ears under the Animal Welfare Regulations Act of 2018

Sweden banned in 1989

Switzwerland banned in 1997

Turkey banned in 2004

Italy banned with fines of 30,000 Euros and 18 months in jail

Also Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Luxemburg, Portugal, South Africa, Isreal, Bolivia, Virgin Islands have complete bans

How tail docking and ear cropping affects the show ring………………………..

With breed standards that include docked tails and cropped ears you might wonder how stopping this practice would affect showing your dog if you were not to follow breed standards. Here in the United States, the AKC does allow dogs that have not been surgicaly altered to be shown along with altered dogs. They are reporting that an unaltered dog is as likey to win in the ring as is the altered dog.

In Canada, dogs may be shown either way, that kennel club was founded in 1888 and has over 20,000 members.

The kennel club in the UK, the UKC, now ban the showing of any dog that haas been surgically altered.