Dog Cosmetic Alterations

Photo credit, Chelsea Dalmao

Chelsea Dalmao is a proud owner of a Doberman. She has gotten her new puppies ears cropped and tail docked. She has a different view on dog cosmetic alterations.

Dalmao, “I agree that some cosmetic alterations can be cruel especially if there are no health benefits or if they are done after the recommended time frame that the puppy will not experience any pain. It is cruel if owners are not bringing their puppies to board certified vets if they chose to crop ears or dock tails. Owners should do extensive research beforehand so they are aware of the healing procedure and time frame. They should also look at reviewers and try to pick the best vet for their puppy."

Dalmao, "Specifically for the Doberman breed, there are no health risks that come with cropping or docking. There is only a slight chance that there could be a complication during surgery but this is a risk that every dog has when they are under anesthesia.”

Dalmao has a similar opinion to debarking as Renea did.

Dalmao, “My opinion on debarking is that it is a very inverse and unethical procedure to be done to any dog. People should not resort to this procedure if their dog is excessively barking, instead they should seek a professional to correct this behavior and teach both the dog and owner how to stop this behavior in an appropriate manner. Debarking is definitely much more cruel compared to cropping ears and docking tails. This procedure is not condemned by veterinarians and almost all will refuse to do it.”

Dalmao, “I believe that it is the owners choice to either leave their puppy natural or dock and crop. There is no right answer to this question because individuals will continue to choose cropping and docking either for personal preference and aesthetic or for future health concerns."

Dalmao, "Personally, I choose to crop and dock to prevent future ear infections and the concern of my puppy developing a hematoma that can only then be repaired with surgery. If I had left her ears natural, there would be a much higher risk infection which would then mean more vet visits which can be very costly. If a hematoma developed due to her natural ears then this would mean another surgery and another great risk of your dog being under.”

Photo credit, Andrea Ranea

Andrea Ranea is a proud owner of a Boxer. She has gotten her Boxer "Brutus's" tail docked when he was a puppy. She believes that people who choose to dock their dog's tail that they go to certified and professional people to ensure the process goes smooth and the healing process even smoother. Ranea, “I think people should go to professionals, you wouldn’t get a “nose job” from a butcher! Debarking totally out of the question. Would you mute a child just to be more appealing? That is their way of communication... you can always train them better to avoid constant barking but I found it inhumane to even think about it. There are shockers that you can also use to prevent dogs from barking. I love to talk and if for any reason I couldn’t do it anymore, I would be lost. imagine somebody doing it on purpose, it’s not right.”

Ranea, “‘I think people should stop cropping dog’s ears, it is too painful for the dog and takes a long time to heal. You have to constantly be changing the bandages or else it can become infected fast. I like the floppy ears on all dogs. People should stop that trend. The day people start loving dogs for what they are and mean in our life’s. We won’t be buying the best looking one, they ALL have the same capacity of unconditional LOVE”

Should dog owners continue the tradition of modifying their dogs' looks or stop it once and for all? It all depends on the owner.

Some people deem dog “cosmetic alterations” as being cruel to the animal while the majority say otherwise. The three leading cosmetic procedures for dogs are ear cropping, tail docking, and debarking. Some of these procedures are illegal in different countries around the world and are outlawed as animal abuse.

Tail docking is common in most big pure breeds such as Doberman, Rottweiler and Boxers. This procedure is also known as “banding”. It involves tying off the tail for 1-4 days. The feeling will eventually disappear and cause the tail to fall off. Most breeders suggest that this procedure be done between 2-5 days old. After the 5 day old mark it is imperative that the dog goes under anesthesia. Tail docking also happens to sheep and cows. 

Photo credit, Google Images

Ear Cropping is a cosmetic procedure done to create a pointed ear on the dog. This procedure is done at 8-10 weeks of age and it involves anesthesia. The dogs undergo surgery to remove a portion of the ear. This process takes a couple weeks to heal and needs around the care cleaning. 

Photo credit, Google Images

Debarking is a cosmetic procedure meant to silence the barking of a dog. A veterinarian performs the procedure under anesthesia and the recovery time is not that long. The bark that people are annoyed of will then be minimized. There are many people who agree and disagree with altering their dogs appearance but once debarking is brought up majority is against it. It is deemed cruelty to the animal as barking is how they communicate and for a person to remove their vocals to almost mute is inhumane. A common alternative for debarking is dog training. Any unwanted behavior found in a dog can be remedied through behavioral modifications. Soon enough your dog will understand the difference between what is right and what is wrong. As well as your expectations while you learn the motivation behind his vocalizations.

Photo credit, Google Images

In some cases, tail docking and ear cropping can lead to infection, severe pain, disfigurement and amputation of the tail or ears.

According to USA Today, the AKC (American Kennel Association) believes that tail docking and ear cropping maintain the integrity of the breed. They assert that “as prescribed in certain breed standards, they are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health and preventing injuries,” and that “any inference that these procedures are cosmetic and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.” 

Cassandra Nardella

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