Docking Tails and Cropping Ears
Eliminating Ear Cropping and Tail Docking In Dogs.
Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs has been an area of controversy in the pet owner, pet breeder, pet welfare and veterinary communities for many years. After many years and much discussion, the American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”), a large governing body of veterinarians and an organization in which most veterinarians maintain membership, has finally taken a stance on this controversial topic. Below is a copy of the exact statement that can be found on the AVMA website:
“Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008)
The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.”
This is a huge and significant change in policy. For years the AVMA, ever diplomatic, has refused to take a stance on several animal welfare issues, leaving it up to individual veterinarians to choose their own ethical medical practices. There was concern that making statements opposing certain long standing practices such as tail docking and ear cropping could alienate the AVMA from a small, but vocal and active, subset of pet owners, particularly those involved with the American Kennel Club (“AKC”) and the breeding of purebred dogs.
Why are these practices controversial? One reason is that most consider these practices to be purely cosmetic and of no benefit to the pet, while others disagree. Opponents of stopping these procedures may argue that pets are more likely to develop certain medical conditions if pets’ tails and ears aren’t altered. For example, some dogs with thinly haired hard tails may develop a condition commonly referred to as “happy tail,” a situation in which the pet injures its tail from wagging it excessively and hitting it on inanimate hard objects. As a veterinarian I have seen this condition, and I have had to amputate the occasional tail due to chronic insult and infection. However, the vast majority of dogs happily enjoy their tails throughout their life without trauma. Incidentally, only a small majority of breeds have their tails docked, and almost all mixed breed dogs have tails, so it is a bit hard to buy into this theory that tail docking is done for the pet’s benefit, or all pets would be having this procedure.
Another concern is that if ears aren’t cropped, more recurrent ear infections may occur. As of right now, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Ear infections are very commonly seen in all breeds of dogs, those with upright as well as floppy ears. Most ear infections are secondary to allergies in dogs, a very common condition. Some dogs develop recurrent ear infections due to their lifestyles, such as a love of swimming that is typically seen in goldens and labs. Having constantly moist ear canals can predispose to ear infections. If ear infections were truly thought to be due to floppy ears versus upright ears, why aren’t we ear cropping all floppy eared dogs, including Goldens, labs, Beagles, and bloodhounds? If this is a viable solution to a medical condition, why is it only a select group of breeds, such as Great Danes, Schnauzers, and Doberman pinchers that reap the benefit of this surgery?
The bottom line is that ear cropping and tail docking are done almost exclusively for cosmetic purposes. Owners of Rottweilers, Dobermans and Australian shepherds don’t want to see them with tails – they think they look “wrong”. While Irish and English setters have tails, it does not look “right” on a Brittany or Pointer. A Dobie or Dane doesn’t look as regal and majestic with floppy ears as it does with upright ears. So, how do we change perception of beauty? The same way the fashion industry does. If everyone “important” wears it, it becomes the “norm”. If the dog show set starts to show their dogs in their naturally born bodies, and especially if they then win at shows, then this new breed style will trickle down to the general public. It takes time to change the public’s perception of what a specific breed is supposed to look like.
There are few domestic dogs that still in any way resemble what evolution and nature created. Most dog breeds have been heavily influenced by mankind’s selective breeding. Therefore, it is meaningless to recommend keeping dogs “as nature intended”. It is not, however, meaningless to try to allow them to exist as born, without surgical intervention to change their appearance.
This of course raises even more controversial issues. If we begin to discourage cropping ears and docking tails, then what should we do about the practice of removing puppy dewclaws? What about declawing cats?
That will just have to wait until another blog…
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