OFFICIAL ear cropping/tail docking debate thread

[Celesteandthebullies]

[SnowKoi2010]

Okay I give on the ears thing. But I still don't like it :O IMO.

And I really didn't want to make anyone dislike me. So yeah.. but my views are mine and yours are yours. But i'm still learning Body Language for dogs and to me the ears and tail are important until I really get to where I can tell which stiff body postures are bad and are okay but needs watching.

Anyways yeah, i'm done now.

[Luna_Redmoon]

gah.... i really wish i had my old phone!!! I had a video of Judice and Lou playing... and judice barely even had nubs (from what we could guess, a home job, had broken teeth too... ) but you could see where he would raise the nubs up and down/back as he was prancing around with lou playing. basically mocking Lou as they bounced around and ran around the coffee table. He was as big as Riley but even goofier. maybe I can find a picture of him somewhere... i mean his was REALLY short. But after we got him healthy again and cleaned him up (even got surgery to remove the worst teeth) he was always so happy

[Kingsgurl]

I don't think the issue is if they can raise the nubs enough to communicate so much as it is, why should they be put at this disadvantage merely because we 'like the way it looks'. Yes, they can use whatever we have left them, but there is no doubt that the communication is not as clear, has to be looked closer at. I have more problem with cropped dogs in group, not because of THEIR behavior, but because, to the other dogs, they appear somwhat confrontational (dog body language wise)
Over-seas they have outlawed the dock/crop and, personally I hope we follow suit. It serves no purpose I can see. I used to think it would encourage the 'home crop' people, but I refuse to use this as justification anymore. It would actually make it more obvious who was doing it at home with scissors (of which there are far too many)

[Luna_Redmoon]

just wondering if these dogs really did belong to someone here or not (found on google), cause if so I wanted to let the know their photo was being stolen for puppies being sold.

I recognized the photo

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/pet/2446773609.html

unless of course these are your dogs and your ad...but anyways. just thought i would mention it

[Celesteandthebullies]

It was one of the first pictures that popped up on Google when I searched "cropped ears"

I've seen for years so they likely took it... You can ask them.

[jaypitcrazy]

i really see y it matters... its not dangerous and doesnt have a negative affect.. and saying the dog would feel someway isnt fair because you cant tell wat the dog is thinking... my dog diesel has his ears cropped and has had his ears cropped since ive had him but his breeder did it... and i think he looks good either way... and it hasnt seemed to make him insecure like people have said when in actuality i think its probly made him more cocky. i feel like as long as the dog is still young and hasnt really been used to his ears.. meaning more then a 6mnths old i would say then its fine... but i wouldnt agree with doing it any older then tht.

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

i really see y it matters... its not dangerous and doesnt have a negative affect.. and saying the dog would feel someway isnt fair because you cant tell wat the dog is thinking... my dog diesel has his ears cropped and has had his ears cropped since ive had him but his breeder did it... and i think he looks good either way... and it hasnt seemed to make him insecure like people have said when in actuality i think its probly made him more cocky. i feel like as long as the dog is still young and hasnt really been used to his ears.. meaning more then a 6mnths old i would say then its fine... but i wouldnt agree with doing it any older then tht.

Anytime your dog is put under a general anesthetic, there is a chance they won't wake up. Putting your dog under a GA any more times than necessary is a risk. Doing it for purely cosmetic reasons, is stupid.

[Brianna&Bubba.]

i really see y it matters... its not dangerous and doesnt have a negative affect.. and saying the dog would feel someway isnt fair because you cant tell wat the dog is thinking... my dog diesel has his ears cropped and has had his ears cropped since ive had him but his breeder did it... and i think he looks good either way... and it hasnt seemed to make him insecure like people have said when in actuality i think its probly made him more cocky. i feel like as long as the dog is still young and hasnt really been used to his ears.. meaning more then a 6mnths old i would say then its fine... but i wouldnt agree with doing it any older then tht.

If a dogs ears is going to be cropped, its needs to be WAY before 6 months. More like 10-15 weeks. Im also pretty sure dogs are very use to their ears before six months... I don't see how dogs are not used to their ears at any age?

[Misskiwi67]

i really see y it matters... its not dangerous and doesnt have a negative affect..

I disagree. I have PERSONALLY seen a dog die from this procedure, had to administer CPR to another (his heart did stop, we got him back), I know of other dogs who have died.

It is also EXTREMELY painful...

[mlewis]

Sometimes a controversial subject, what is YOUR opinion on ear cropping? To do or not to do? Battle, Show, or Long?

[ilovemypits]

I love my dogs natural ears.

[jamielvsaustin]

You may not get a lot of responses to this just because it's a topic that is talked about often.

My personal opinion is unless it's necessary (mainly medical issues) then I'm against it. I would never turn down a dog with cropped ears (or a docked tail) but I would also never do that to a dog. I find the reason most common for cropping is cosmetic. It's all because someone likes the look. I just don't see put a dog through an unnecessary procedure (than can result in death) and I don't see a reason for the dog to be in pain just because you think the dog will look better.

I think about what can get into the dogs' ears without having that flap. I think about the dogs that hog hunt and the brush/bush they run through to get to the hog.

I think the cons far outweigh the pros.

[snikles]

I love my dogs natural ears.

This. My dogs ears are my favorite part aesthetically. 95% of dogs with cropped ears look dumb in my opinion. And most of them only serve to make the dog look more alert and aggressive which does nothing to help the reputation.

[mommy2kane]

I prefer natural. I, personally, will never crop. However, I personally like a short(er) crop best. Not a fan of battle crops and don't really like too long/show.