Ear cropping and tail docking are common today, but are these procedures necessary or purely cosmetic? Is it legal in your state? Learn the history of these practices and why they are still done today. Find out if it’s essential for your dog to have its ears cropped or its tail docked.
Article Overview
- Dog Ear Cropping (Why, Procedure, Healing, Risks & Breeds)
- Dog Tail Docking (Why, Procedure, Healing, Risks & Breeds)
- State Laws Regarding Ear Cropping & Tail Docking
- Should You Amputate Parts Of Your Dog?
What Is Dog Ear Cropping?
Cropping is removing all or part of the external ear flap on a dog. Many countries ban this practice due to the thought of it being purely cosmetic; thus it’s considered animal cruelty to perform unnecessary surgery on an animal.
Why Are Dog’s Ears Cropped?
Most often for perceived health benefits and cosmetic reasons. However, there is no data supporting the idea that cropping a dog’s ears improves its health. Some claims suggest that it can minimize ear infections and improve hearing.
Many breed standards (set by the AKC and other pedigree organizations) have cosmetic requirements, including cropped ears for certain breeds. But, unless you are competing in a dog show or other event that requires these appearance standards, this is not necessary.
Procedure
Ear cropping is typically performed when a dog is between 7 and 12 weeks old, when cropping is considered most effective. General anesthesia is typically used, and about two-thirds of the ear (the external ear flap) is removed as well as many nerve endings.1
Healing Process
Ears are stitched and bandaged for several weeks. The vet may need to check and replace these bandages periodically to ensure proper healing.
Risks
The surgery has risks including the use of general anesthesia and post-surgery complications. Additionally, the ears may become infected, experience bleeding or even need to be amputated (rare but possible with significant complications). The dog’s ears will be sensitive and painful for weeks after surgery. The dog may experience phantom pain, and there is no guarantee on the success of the operation.
21 Common Breeds With Cropped Ears
Below are some common breeds with cropped ears.
- Affenpinscher
- American Bully
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Beauceron
- Boston Terrier
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Boxer
- Briard
- Brussels Griffon
- Cane Corso
- Caucasian Shepherd Dog
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Pinscher
- Giant Schnauzer
- Great Dane
- Manchester Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Standard Schnauzer
What Is Dog Tail Docking?
Tail docking is the removal of part of a dog’s tail. The amount removed can vary depending on the breed standards.
Why Are Dog’s Tails Docked?
In the past, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the dog’s back, increase its speed and prevent injuries from fighting.2
Today, dog’s tails may be docked to prevent the spread of infection (i.e., happy tail), to help heal from disease or for cosmetic reasons. They are also docked to avoid injuries for working dogs who could get their tails caught in something.
However, most tails are docked primarily for cosmetic purposes today, causing unnecessary pain to the dog.
Procedure
There are two ways to dock a tail. The first consists of constricting the blood flow to the tail with a rubber ligature until the tail falls off. This can take a few days. The second is severing the tail with scissors or a scalpel.
Healing Process
Make sure you keep your dog’s bedding clean and monitor the surgical site until it heals fully. The space your dog is in should be kept clean, dry and free of urine and feces.
Your vet will tell you when to remove the bandages, typically 2 to 3 days after surgery. This is generally done with scissors but check with your vet to learn the process they recommend.
Monitor the area for redness, swelling and discharge. If you see them, these are signs of infection. Your dog will probably need a follow-up visit about a week after surgery to have the stitches (if used) removed.
59 Common Breeds With Docked Tails
- Airedale Terrier
- American Cocker Spaniel
- Australian Silky
- Australian Shepherd
- Australian Terrier
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Boxer
- Bracco Italiano
- Brittany
- Cane Corsa
- Clumber Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
- Dobermann
- English Springer Spaniel
- Fell Terrier
- Field Spaniel
- German Short-Haired Pointer
- German Wire-Haired Pointer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Glen of Imaal Terrier
- Griffon Bruxellois
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Irish Terrier
- Italian Spinone
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- King Charles Spaniel
- Lakeland Terrier
- Large Munsterlander
- Lucas Terrier
- Miniature Pinscher
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Neopolitan Mastiff
- Norfolk Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
- Old English Sheepdog
- Patterdale Terrier
- Parson Jack Russell Terrier
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Pinscher
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Rottweiler
- Russian Black Terrier
- Schipperke
- Schnauzer
- Sealyham Terrier
- Smooth Fox Terrier
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Standard Poodle
- Sussex Spaniel
- Swedish Vallhund
- Toy Poodle
- Weimaraner
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Welsh Terrier
- Wire-Haired Fox Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier3
State Laws For Ear Cropping & Tail Docking
This information was taken from the AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Association).
Ear Cropping Laws
- 9 states regulate ear cropping.
- It is illegal to crop a dog’s ears in Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania, unless done by a licensed vet while the dog is under anesthetic.
- Maryland law states that the ear cropping must be “appropriate on the animal.”
- Massachusetts forbids ear cropping except when performed by a licensed vet.
- It is illegal in Washington to perform ear cropping except when it is considered a customary management practice.
- “Animal torture” is illegal in Illinois (includes both ear cropping & tail docking), but has an exception for alteration of an animal done under the direction of a licensed vet.
- Maine bans mutilating an animal by irreversibly damaging body parts (includes ear cropping & tail docking) but makes an exception if performed by a licensed vet.
Tail Docking Laws
- 19 states regulate tail docking in some form.
- Maryland and Pennsylvania are the only states that have provisions restricting the tail docking of dogs.
- It is illegal in Pennsylvania to dock a dog’s tail if it is older than 5 days, unless it is medically necessary.
- In Maryland, only vets can perform tail docking and only if they use anesthesia and it’s considered appropriate.
- Alaska and Louisiana allow tail docking but only if it is done in a sanitary manner, minimizes the dog’s pain and distress, and is done in a timely fashion.
Think Twice Before You Amputate
This short video may make you think twice about cropping your dog’s ears or docking its tail.
Do you think these procedures are humane?
Sources: [1] PetHelpful, [2] Defra, [3] Council of Docked Breeds