No More Nip and Tuck for Show Dogs

Also: I don't think tail docking is at a higher level of cruelty than breeding "teacup" or especially bug-eyed chihuahuas, or breeding a manxie-poo or other such overpriced mutt to sell to someone who wants a fashion icon instead of a dog. (Nothing against mutts, everything against deliberately breeding more puppies, when there are plenty of dogs in shelters, and breeding them for a demographic more likely to put the dog in the shelter.)

Ear cropping is stupid. I mean, if I'm wrong, please correct me, but I can't think of it being used for anything other than cosmetic reasons. That said, declawing (for DOGS, for dewclaws, not cat claws) and tail docking have their place. Dewclaws on a dog that will actually be running a lot or running in brambles/branches will get worn away or ripped off. Tail docking depends on the breed. My mom and I had corgis, and they have a long tail for their size. they're herding dogs, at the perfect height to herd sheep or cows and not get kicked in the head-- but also at the perfect height for their tails to be stepped on, broken, crushed, ground into the mud... similarly, spaniels have a long swooshy tail, but are born and bred to go leaping into brambles and thorns. Docking for both these breeds was started because you'd probably have to cut it off later if you didn't. I *do* think that doing it by the vet is better than doing it by the breeder-- my mom's dog had his tail docked short, instead of the bunny tail it's supposed to be, it was gone entirely. I feel that it'd be more intelligent for the vet to say, I'll do it, but with local anesthesia. and hey, it might get people to think twice.

Wow... I can't imagine taking one of my dogs in and having something so cruel done to them just so they look a certain way, especially with no anesthesia. At 3-5 days old, the eyes aren't even open and they should not be taken away from their mothers, even for a short while. Although they do need to be careful, like the article said. Some people may try to do it themselves. What they need to do is change the attitudes of the kennel clubs.

It's too bad America hasn't caught up with all this. tail-docking, ear-cropping, debarking, declawing, etc are all cruel.

I agree. People should just love their animals the way they are instead of trying to change what they look like to fit some other social standard.

In my opinion, kennel clubs never encourage the well-being of dogs. So many breeds have been ruined due to inbreeding or obsessing over some ridiculous trait. tail-docking and ear cropping is not accepted in England, it should not be accepted in North America either. I hope more provinces follow suit.

I agree with the ban. I always cringe when I see dogs with docked tails. I know that's the look on some breeds but I hate it. And ear cropping does sound cruel. However, it's not something the dog is going to remember if it's done as a puppy right? So I don't know...it's like getting your baby's ears pierced, they're not going to remember. But I am totally against it.