Is there any real purpose to having your dog's ears or tail docked?

Question

As far as I know it is just for looks. That seems pretty damn cruel to me. Does it have anything to do with hygene?

How the hell is this even allowed? What veterenarian, a person who has deticated themselves to HELP animals, would do this?

I can understand the thing about the breakable skin on their tails tho.

daddyzgrl...

I just got my dobes ears done friday and she is perfectly fine. i personally prefer the docked and cropped look on certain breeds. so if u want to call me cruel, go ahead, but many ppl say gettin this done is the same as gettin ur pet spayed or neutered.

Source(s):

dobe owner

58 minutes ago - Report Abuse
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How is that even close to having an animal fixed so it does not create more pets then are are homes willing to take. Check out the damn shelter or papers you jerk. They are full of animals that people dont want. litters and litters of puppies.

So you have docked its ears because you like the way it looks? Thats disgusting. CUTTING PART OF YOUR DOGS EARS OFF just so you can look badass? What a loser. .

Answer 1

In most breeds its for looks or done with fighting dogs to give less for the opponent to grab. However, there are some breeds whose tails are docked, whose natural tails are very thin and "whippy" and who have thin skin and when not docked, will bang their tails against things when wagging them and the tail skin will easily split open and bleed.

Answer 2

Yes, some aussies are born with a naturally docked tail. Further, many dogs (esp. hunting a working breeds) can easily injure their tails. When this happens, it's very hard to heal, since there is little blood supply to the tail. It's hard to immobilize and bandage, and is very painful for adult dogs. Further, a breeder can't generally tell 100% which pups will be show quality when they're 2-5 days, so they dock them all. For most breeds (labs and greyhounds excluded, for example), they have little or no practical need for a tail, and it's best to dock it young to avoid injury later on. Ear cropping is a matter of preference. Done well, it's not going to make a difference to the dog one way or another. Also, floppy ears are MUCH more prone to mites and infections, so it's more hygienic to have them cropped and taped. Not one of the more important battles, IMO. I'd rather people direct their disapproval toward pet stores, BYBs and puppy mills rather than a harmless procedure like docking or cropping.

Answer 3

It usually has nothing to do with hygiene.
A normal pet owner does not need to have it done.

However, certain breeds do need these things done in order to show in the dog shows, it is a requirement by the akc or other kennel clubs.

Contrary to belief, it is not that cruel. The puppies do not have much pain if any during the process which can be done in a few different ways without being painful.

It may be of interest to some that some Europeon countries' kennel clubs do not require the dockings anymore, but did in the past. In that regard, the US is behind in the times.

Answer 4

Not unless you want to show the dog. Docking is usually done so the dog will conform to show standards but it is also done in order to sell pups. People have come to expect a certain look in some breeds and they don't recognize it as belonging to the breed unless it looks like that. For instance, doberman pinschers have docked ears and tail. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Doberman who doesn't have docked ears and tails but people don't recognize it as a doberman with long, floppy ears and a long tail.
If you want to buy an undocked animal then tell the breeder that you want an undocked pup. He'll probably agree to saving a pup out for you (if he has the docking done himself). If you have to do the docking after you take the pup home then just don't do it. You will have the same dog docked or undocked.

Answer 5

It is purely for cosmetic purposes. The owner wants a dog that looks a certain way and does not care if it is cruel to the dog. And those who say it does not hurt, how could they possibly know? I have seen puppies having their tails cut off and they scream and yelp for a long time. Its horrible. And owners of pit bulls and other fighting dogs, cut the dogs ears off flat with their body and this does cause health problems for the dogs, but if you intend to put your dog in a cage and let him fight to the death, I guess you do not care if his ears hurt. If everyone refused to buy dogs with docked ears and tails, maybe the barbaric custom would stop.

Answer 6

I just got my dobes ears done friday and she is perfectly fine. i personally prefer the docked and cropped look on certain breeds. so if u want to call me cruel, go ahead, but many ppl say gettin this done is the same as gettin ur pet spayed or neutered.

Answer 7

OK, there IS a reason dogs tails are docked. might just be for looks now but it use to be that herding dogs had their tails docked to keep livestock from stepping on them and injuring the dog. there was a reason for the ears too, cant remember at the moment though.

Answer 8

No, it is purely for looks. Dog fighters also have their dogs ears Cut Off pretty much, so the dog doesn't lose his ear in a fight. I think it is cruel to do to a puppy just for looks.

Answer 9

i feel it is not right if God or who ever you beleive in wanted the dogs ears cropped or tails docked he would have made the dog that way people might find my comment insulting or wrong but who ever or what ever you beleive in if you think for a second you will realize it is true

sorry if i offended someone

Answer 10

No it is cruel. They wouldn't be born with ears, and tails if they didn't need them. People have to use these poor animals to look "cool". Especially guys. It makes them look so bad as-. So they think anyway.