Ear clipping/cropping, tail docking, and dew claws...?

Question

I HAVE NO DESIRE TO DO ANY OF THESE THINGS....

But, having made that clear, I'd like to know the origins of these procedures and how they're done today. Any history on them?
I've heard that tails are done without any anesthesia, in other words, the puppie's tail is simply cut off. Is that really how it goes?

And so that no one brings up the common myth, docking and clipping did not have ANYTHING to do with FIGHTING dogs. Dog fighting is a newer *though barbaric* practice than the altering of a dog's appearance, and I don't think that either procedure was originally done as "breed standard" because they go back to a time when dogs were useful *before dogs were pets, when they were mostly used for hunting and hearding and such* vs. standards don't quite stretch that far back.

I'M NOT TAKING ANY SIDE, DO IT IF YOU WANT, DON'T DO IT IF YOU WANT. I WON'T SAY THAT I DON'T CARE, BUT I WON'T SAY MY POV FOR FEAR OF BEING KNOCKED FOR MY OPINION.

Thank you.

Wow... didn't even share my opinion and got knocked for it... that's pathetic, Tyke. Now you don't even wait for someone to say the wrong thing, all they have to do is think it.

As for anesthesia, I think the term I meant was local anesthetic, not the one that puts the animal to sleep just the one that numbs the area. Like when you step on a tooth pick, they pump your foot full of numbing stuff and then pull it out. If it's poison to kill pain, then doctor hook me up cuz I dun like to hurt.

If you beleive in plastic surgery for dogs, so be it. If you don't, that's fine. I never said weather I thought it was right or wrong, I think all I said was about dog fighting, which has to be illegal for a reason, right? Apparently I'm not the only one that thinks it's wrong to sick one dog on another, and haven't I read storries of Tyke herself breaking up a dog fight? Oh I do beleive I have.

Answer 1

Not really sure on the tails but I do know that the due claws are removed on some breeds to stop them from ripping off latter in life. Rotts have a problem with this is they are not removed when young. We had a rott with due claws and he ripped one while playing and he almost bleed to death before we got home! He is fine today! I would ask you vet for a better answer

Answer 2

Kelly is right about the dew-claws. The reason for docking the tails came from English taxes. They taxed luxuries, like dogs kept only as pets. To distinguish between pets and working dogs, they started docking the tails on the working dogs. Called it a "Tail tax". Strange, but true. Don't know how come they started cropping the ears. We don't do either with our dogs, although we will cut the dew-claws when the puppies are a couple of days old.
Years ago, I worked as a veterinary assistant until the day I had to hold the puppies while the vet sawed off their little tails, without anesthesia. Will never forget their howling and screaming. Anyone that has the tails docked should be required to hold the pups while it is being done. That would put a stop to a lot of it. Of course, there are some sadistic bastards that would get a thrill out of it.

Answer 3

I used to raise min pins. We had the pups tails docked when they were about 3 days old. The dew claws were done at the same time No anesthesia is needed. It would be risky to put a newborn puppy to sleep. There is little pain for them. They cry for a few seconds. That's it. The nerve endings in the tails have not developed yet. We raise chihuahuas so the tails aren't done and we do not have the dewclaws removed on them. Never had a problem with dewclaws.We had the ears on 2 of our dogs done. Would never have any more done. It is too painfull, stressful and it really does change their personality in some cases..

Answer 4

The vet I used to work for used Lidocain on puppies for the tails and dew claws. He didn't do ears. It is too painful & the owners wouldn't do their part in the aftercare. I have never held a puppy for a docking that screamed in pain. they were all numbed up from the Lidocain. Also, dog fighting is nothing new. It has been going on for centuries. That's where the Bulldog originated from. they were bred to "bait" bulls. And the Romans used dogs to fight lions, and gladiators. Just because they weren't fighting other dogs doesn't mean they weren't used and bred for the sport.

Answer 5

Personally, I remove dewclaws on all my puppies when they are 3 days old. My vet uses a local and then surgical glue to close the pin prick cut left. I have seen too many herding dogs(which is what I have) get their dewclaws torn off and it's ugly, painful and can actually cripple an older dog when it happens.

Many breed standards require that they be left one and that's fine with me. Same with cropping and docking. Prefer not to see any of that as it serves no purpose in this stage of the game.

Answer 6

each of these are done in breeds who are considered 'working breeds'. it was primarily done to prevent harm and trauma to long tail and droopy ears while running through trees and bushes etc...... but as time goes on it was done as a breed standard i.e for showing and was considered the norm.
but is now banned but as usual there are loop holes so breeders can still have the procedure done.
tail docking is done either at home in desperation by cutting the tail off - but is very risky due to heamorrhage etc and most puppies die.
others have been done using very tight orange rings placed onto the base of the tail. this loop cuts the blood supply off and eventually the tail falls off when dead.
some can be amputated by the vet and this is the loop hole. by saying its to prevent trauma etc the vet can legally remove the tail so docking it.
dew claw removal seems to be a new age thing to prevent cats scratching furniture and dogs to prevent them getting them caught when running.

qualified veterinary nurse UK

Answer 7

i wouldnt do any of these things either, my pups tail is naturally bobbed and people think we had it done. i heard that they use almost like a turniquit on it, and then its clipped and thats that. its usually done before they are 3 days old, so they nerves arent fully funtioning and its not that bad. as for the ears, i think its just done for looks so meet the breed's known image. dew claws are sometimes a problem, and they can catch on things and get ripped off, some dogs have more dangly ones and those are the ones that can cause problems.

Answer 8

This practice has been banned in europe. The us may follow some day?