Are Ear Cropping and Tail Docking Necessary?

If a dog’s ears are cropped or their tail is docked, that eliminates the ability for your dog to communicate via those options.

Ear cropping and tail docking are elective cosmetic procedures performed on dogs at the owners preference.

Ear cropping involves removing part of the ear and bandaging in a way that allows the ears to stand upright instead of flop down. This occurs anywhere from 6 - 12 weeks of age and requires general anesthesia. Tail docking is the amputation of a dog's tail, and is performed within the first 5 days of life via surgery or by the use of a constricting band while the tail is still soft.

Supporters of ear cropping and tail docking cite that it reduces the risk of ear infections (for ear cropping) and tail injuries (for tail docking.) The American Kennel Club allows and supports the practice of both to uphold the visual standards that have been normalized in specific breeds. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association opposes the practice.

Risks of Ear Cropping and Tail Docking

Ear cropping is a surgical procedure that requires your dog be placed under general anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia can be as mild as vomiting and a sore throat from the endotracheal tube, to as serious as cardiac arrest and stroke.

Dogs communicate vocally and visually. Most of their body language is communicated through their face, ears, and tail. If the ears are cropped or their tail is docked, that eliminates the ability for your dog to communicate via those options. You (or another dog) might miss signs of stress, discomfort, or even happiness that are communicated by tail and ear positioning.

Postoperative care can be extremely painful and long for these procedures. It’s not uncommon for infections to occur or for ears to heal misshapen, both which require another trip to the vet (and possibly another surgery.)

Docked tails may also have underdeveloped pelvic muscles, and there is a correlation between dogs whose tails are docked and a higher chance of incontinence.

Are There Benefits?

So, there are risks. But what are the benefits? It is very common to hear that ear cropping helps prevent ear infections. Unfortunately, there isn’t any significant evidence to back up that claim. While it is possible that heavy, droopy eared dogs may present with a higher rate of more severe infection, there is no data that shows cropping the ears prevents this. Ear infections are more prevalent in some breeds than in others. Many of these breeds where ear infections are common aren’t the ones getting their ears cropped anyway.

Some also say that it helps prevent ear and tail injuries, especially in working dogs. Ear and tail injuries from these conditions are rare, and there is also no significant evidence to back up this claim.

Trending Towards Compassion

Over the years, people's perceptions of their pets have changed from something you own, to someone you care for. The compassion people feel towards our furry friends has made it so that practices like these are being looked at more closely, and with more scrutiny. Many countries have already banned ear and tail cropping, and though it isn’t banned yet in the USA, it’s become increasingly more rare to find a veterinarian who will still perform these procedures.