Docking tails, Cropping Ears

[happyappygirl]

For those of you who breed dogs whose tails and ears are altered, the battle to retain the right to do that just turned into a full out war. See below.

New AVMA policy Animal Welfare AVMA policy - Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs

Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008)

The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please find a press release announcing the American kennel Club's statement on AVMA ear cropping and tail docking policy.

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB STATEMENT ON AVMA EAR CROPPING AND TAIL DOCKING POLICY

New York, NY (November 21, 2008) -- The American Kennel Club(r) was advised this week of the AVMA's newly amended policy on ear cropping and tail docking following its adoption by the AVMA Executive Board at the recommendation of their Committee on Animal Welfare on November 15, 2008.

Historically, the AKC has worked closely with the AVMA to ensure that the rights of individual dog owners, and breed standards, remain protected. However, the AKC was very disappointed to not have been consulted regarding this latest iteration of the policy, despite having been in frequent contact with the AVMA in recent months.

At a joint meeting this Wednesday AKC explained to the AVMA that we recognize ear cropping and tail docking, as prescribed in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries. These
breed characteristics are procedures performed to insure the safety of dogs that on a daily basis perform heroic roles with Homeland Security, serve in the U.S. Military and at Police Departments protecting tens of thousands of communities throughout our nation as well as competing in the field.

Mislabeling these procedures as "cosmetic" is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs. Breed standards are
established and maintained by AKC Parent Clubs (each of the 158 AKC registered breeds is stewarded by a breed-specific Parent Club) keeping foremost in mind the welfare of the breed and the function it was bred to perform.

As a not for profit organization that has been devoted to the advancement and welfare of dogs for 125 years, the AKC believes that all dog owners bear a special responsibi lity to their canine companions to provide proper care and humane treatment at all times and that responsible dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, have the right to make decisions regarding appropriate care and treatment of their pets.

AKC's policy on the issue, which remains unchanged, states:

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.

Dog owners who would like to contact AVMA directly regarding their policy should direct comments to Gail Golab, head of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division: ggolab@avma.org or 847-925-8070.

 

[camily]

How does these procedures help the dog today? Maybe back in the day it prevented injury, but it is really necessary in this day and age?

 

[happyappygirl]

We band the tails on our puppies at 3 days old.
Banding of Polydactylic digits in people still occurs in simple cases, so when they stop doing that, I'll stop banding my pups tails.
When men aren't circumcised any longer, i'll stop banding tails.

 

[happyappygirl]

How does these procedures help the dog today? Maybe back in the day it prevented injury, but it is really necessary in this day and age?

That isn't the point. The AKC has written breed standards that describe the animal, and that's what we use as a guide.

 

[Geek]

That isn't the point. The AKC has written breed standards that describe the animal, and that's what we use as a guide.

AKC breed standards are written in puppy blood.

 

[happyappygirl]

AKC breed standards are written in puppy blood.

 

[cattitude]

It's really not up to the AKC. There is one breed group/club that set the standards for each breed and registers them with the AKC. The Boxer Breed Standard was amended a few years ago that allows natural ears but they must have certain characteristics...crease and thickness, etc. Tails must still be docked and dewclaws removed.

 

[Cowgirl]

That isn't the point. The AKC has written breed standards that describe the animal, and that's what we use as a guide.

Right...but people wrote the AKC standards, and people decide what the breed should look like. I'm sure it's possible to re-write breed standards. Haven't they been doing that in Great Britain? I just wonder why people didn't breed ears and tails out of dogs if that's what they wanted.

I don't so much have an issue with tails, because that's done when they're young, but I really hate ears being done. I think it's unattractive, and I'm sure it's painful.

 

[jp2854]

do dogs dewclaws grow back after being removed? Bruno had 2 grow back in that is why i am asking?

 

[RareBreed]

It's really not up to the AKC. There is one breed group/club that set the standards for each breed and registers them with the AKC. The Boxer Breed Standard was amended a few years ago that allows natural ears but they must have certain characteristics...crease and thickness, etc. Tails must still be docked and dewclaws removed.

What's that? Is it the little "pinkie" claw?

 

[Pasofever]

I do my own tails and dew claws too.....I just had a pups ears done too but many vets are refusing to do ear croppings...I like my Boxers with at least the tail and dew claws done..

 

[happyappygirl]

do dogs dewclaws grow back after being removed? Bruno had 2 grow back in that is why i am asking?

some dogs have double dews that are more difficult to remove at any stage of the game. in rotts, since mine have mostly european lines, we often don't have rear dews at all. i can say double dews are very intertwined in the bones of the leg and more difficult.
having said that, i think you'd have to sue her in small claims to get your money back on it. you bought the pup as is. it's not the breeder's fault the dews grew back, nor did anything she did cause it to happen. that can even happen if a vet does it.

 

[cattitude]

do dogs dewclaws grow back after being removed? Bruno had 2 grow back in that is why i am asking?

If they're not done correctly. Biscuit has horrible scars where his were.

 

[Pasofever]

Yes some scare more then others..easier to see on a Boxer vs a Rottie...because of hair..I would rather take a little more then have one like Libby (that the vet did) that has a 10 inch nub and 1/2 dew claws growing out wildly from the leg...what a bad job all the way around..I had to have another vet redo her tail when I had her ears done..and still hate the looks of her dew claws.

 

[navigator]

The position of the American Veterinary Medical Association is:

“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.” (Issues in Animal Welfare)

In any case, breeders should not perform this procedure themselves. To do so is to inflict severe pain on the dog and risk infection. If the surgery is done, it is recommended it be done by a veterinarian who can provide anesthesia and help prevent infection.

 

[happyappygirl]

If they're not done correctly. Biscuit has horrible scars where his were.

there really is no "correct" way to do them. They are generally snipped off at 3 days during tail docking or banding time, and are VERY tiny as a rule. Often hard to even see. We use nail scissors, and clip flush, and have never had one grow back in 30 years, but I'd say 90% of them are also single. I've seen many double rear dews grow back, because the ligaments and tendons are so intertwined with the bones of the leg. Those with double often have terrible hocky rear assemblies too (GSDs almost always have double rear dews). This all seems to be related. I'm not sure why. On the rare occassion I've had doubles on the rear, those pups are always placed in pet homes because i know the structure won't be correct.

 

[jp2854]

the breeder did brunosi think. The vet said they shouldn't have grown back but now that I know they could have 2 sets in one paw I totally understand I thought maybe they didn't get taken out all of the way that caused it to grow back that is all. The vet trims her dewclaws every time we take her in to have her nails cut as she will not let us do it due to my stepfather cutting one of her nails and making her bleed. I offered to help him and him hold her and I do the nail trimming but he siad no to me he said he got it.

 

[happyappygirl]

The position of the American Veterinary Medical Association is:

“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.” (Issues in Animal Welfare)

In any case, breeders should not perform this procedure themselves. To do so is to inflict severe pain on the dog and risk infection. If the surgery is done, it is recommended it be done by a veterinarian who can provide anesthesia and help prevent infection.

You've obviously never seen a tail docking/banding or dew claw removal on a litter of pups done by a vet. Neither anesthesia or antibiotics are used for either procedure. Just band the tail, and snip snip the dews, and momma keeps them nice and clean. The tails drop off in about 4 days, and heal with NO scarring what so ever. I've been doing both procedures for 30 years, and don't intend to stop now. A cut tail often gets stitches and scars. Length is often an issue. It's safer for me, and experienced person, to do it right the first time.

Ear cropping is rarely done by a breeder, it's generally done at 16 weeks, and the pup is gone to it's new home by then. Totally different thing. There is anesthesia used, but i don't think antibiotics are given. My mom used to breed and show Dobies, and the ear croppings I've attended personally have also had stitches used to close the ear margin. Again, each breed is different in length and amount of "bell" left when it's done. Breeders often recommend vets who do it correctly for the particular breed. It's a big deal for show breeders.

 

[happyappygirl]

the breeder did brunosi think. The vet said they shouldn't have grown back but now that I know they could have 2 sets in one paw I totally understand I thought maybe they didn't get taken out all of the way that caused it to grow back that is all. The vet trims her dewclaws every time we take her in to have her nails cut as she will not let us do it due to my stepfather cutting one of her nails and making her bleed. I offered to help him and him hold her and I do the nail trimming but he siad no to me he said he got it.

No, not 2 sets of dews, i said double dews, meaning instead of one toe there are two toes to be removed. Sometimes one is smaller than the other and not seen, but in any case, much more difficult to remove cleanly than single rear dews. I think boxers have double rear dews pretty frequently. Like GSDs.

 

[cattitude]

the breeder did brunosi think. The vet said they shouldn't have grown back but now that I know they could have 2 sets in one paw I totally understand I thought maybe they didn't get taken out all of the way that caused it to grow back that is all. The vet trims her dewclaws every time we take her in to have her nails cut as she will not let us do it due to my stepfather cutting one of her nails and making her bleed. I offered to help him and him hold her and I do the nail trimming but he siad no to me he said he got it.

Saints are known to have double dew claws..it's not uncommon. They're are several breeds that have double dew claws.