Cosmetic Surgery for Dogs: Tail Docking, Ear Cropping and Dew Claw Removal

According to many dog lovers, tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal are little more than unnecessary surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes that are of no benefit to the dog. With regard to ear cropping and tail docking, The American Veterinary Medical Association has a policy which states: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries."

Although many veterinarians perform tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal, some of them, including my own, refer to it as "unjustified mutilation." Several countries have made cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking illegal, even going so far as to make it illegal to import dogs docked or cropped in other countries, such as the United States.

With that said, is there any good that comes tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal? Perhaps more information about the purpose and procedures involved will convince some dog owners to reconsider the practice.

Tail docking is usually done today as the standard for certain breeds, such as the Rottweiler, Pointer, and Doberman Pinscher. Currently, there are more than 50 traditionally docked breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Some breeders want tail docking to continue because they believe it reduces tail injuries to hunting dogs as they work in thick brush. I've even known of Dalmation owners who've had their puppies' tails cropped to prevent injures sustained in the home when these extremely whip-like tails strike door frames and furniture. Obviously, these were not Dalmations heading for the show ring, but they were purebreds. Regardless of the reason owners have the procedure done, I know tail docking can leave the end of the tail tender or sensitive to the touch.

Tail docking is normally done within the first few days - sometimes even hours - of a puppy's birth. Typically, tail docking is done by banding with an orthodontic-type band. This cuts off the blood supply; in a few days the tissue dies and the tail falls off. Sometimes tail docking is done surgically, under anesthesia, although this is usually reserved for older puppies or adult dogs with a medical need.

Ear cropping is perhaps the most disturbing (to me) of these cosmetic procedures. Dogs are usually at least 9 weeks old before ear cropping is done. It involves surgically removing as much as half of the floppy part of the ears. Then splints are attached with tape, and the ears are set to the desired position. After several weeks, the ears will remain in that position on their own. Besides this being the standard for several breeds, ear cropping is done by some dog owners who simply like "the look." Frankly, I like "the look" on certain breeds too, but I will never put a dog through the procedure. I know from experience that ear cropping can leave the dog's ears sensitive to the touch for the rest of its life.

Dew claws are not really claws, but actually a rudimentary fifth toe. They're located on the insides of the legs, slightly above the paws. On the back legs, the dew claws are poorly developed and have no muscular control; some don't even have any bony tissue or ligaments. On the front legs, the dew claws are generally move developed and usually contain bone and nerves. Dew claw removal is usually done by a veterinarian, without the benefit of anesthesia or pain medication, when the dog is just a few days old.

Traditionally, the dew claw removal was done to prevent them from becoming snagged or torn on underbrush while dogs were hunting and working. Some dog owners still prefer to have dew claws removed because, they say, the dew claws can become torn or snagged during play or on carpets or furniture. On the surface this sounds like a reasonable argument. However, as an owner of many dogs over the years, I've never had one snag or tear a dew claw, whether the dog was pheasant hunting, roaming our wooded hills covered with brush and fallen trees, roughhousing, or sprawling on the carpet or couch.

Although I understand why some dog owners and breeders continue tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal, most veterinarians I know are discouraging these and any other practices that are considered unnecessary for an animal's health, regardless of breed standards.