I’ve long been an admirer of the Schipperke breed, with their foxy little black faces and keen intelligence. While attending a trade show recently, I spotted a pretty female and got ready to bolt out of my chair to go say “Hello” to her. I almost fell off my chair instead.
The dog had a tail, a cute little fluffy tail that curled up over her back. I’d always believed that Schipperkes were a naturally tail-less breed, but the dog’s owner explained to me that most Schipperke puppies are born with tails.
I was dumbfounded. Why would breeders routinely remove the tail from a dog, especially a nicely formed tail that curls up over the dog’s back?
Nowadays dog owners have a full range of services they can use to keep their dogs healthy and happy — everything from animal communicators to acupuncture.
So why are we still cutting off their ears and tails?
Why do we crop the ears of some breeds to stand upright in a point when the breed’s natural ear is a neat, satiny triangle that sets off the face superbly?
My reading on the subject revealed that some dog breeders consider ear-cropping a way to promote good health in the dog. Details as to which illnesses or conditions were avoided by ear-cropping were somewhat sketchy.
Research on the Internet resulted in this interesting article on “cosmetic surgery” on the In Defense Of Animals website:
http://www.idausa.org/facts/cossurgery.html
Here is the American Kennel Club’s policy on ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal:
“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.”
The Canadian Kennel Club’s standard for Schipperke tails is much more straightforward and doesn’t mess around with politically correct jargon:
“Tail: Docked to no more than 1 inch (3 cm) in length.”
Since breed standards are defined by the breeders, it’s clear that the breeders are the ones who are actively promoting this practice. But are they? If people stopped buying puppies with cropped ears and docked tails, this practice would have to stop.
The power of the consumer…it’s worth thinking about.
One final note on Schipperkes I found on The Breeds Of Dogs website: Schipperke legend tells of a shoemaker who, in 1609, became irritated at the persistent thieving of his neighbour’s dog and, after finally catching him at it, cut off his tail. The much-improved appearance of the mutilated thief supposedly was copied, starting the trend for docking. (www.thebreedsofdogs.com)
If this legend is true, it’s been nearly 400 years since one Schipperke stole something from a shoemaker. Have we not evolved as human beings since 1609?
The dog had a tail, a cute little fluffy tail that curled up over her back. I’d always believed that Schipperkes were a naturally tail-less breed, but the dog’s owner explained to me that most Schipperke puppies are born with tails.
I was dumbfounded. Why would breeders routinely remove the tail from a dog, especially a nicely formed tail that curls up over the dog’s back?
Nowadays dog owners have a full range of services they can use to keep their dogs healthy and happy — everything from animal communicators to acupuncture.
So why are we still cutting off their ears and tails?
Why do we crop the ears of some breeds to stand upright in a point when the breed’s natural ear is a neat, satiny triangle that sets off the face superbly?
My reading on the subject revealed that some dog breeders consider ear-cropping a way to promote good health in the dog. Details as to which illnesses or conditions were avoided by ear-cropping were somewhat sketchy.
Research on the Internet resulted in this interesting article on “cosmetic surgery” on the In Defense Of Animals website:
http://www.idausa.org/facts/cossurgery.html
Here is the American Kennel Club’s policy on ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal:
“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.”
The Canadian Kennel Club’s standard for Schipperke tails is much more straightforward and doesn’t mess around with politically correct jargon:
“Tail: Docked to no more than 1 inch (3 cm) in length.”
Since breed standards are defined by the breeders, it’s clear that the breeders are the ones who are actively promoting this practice. But are they? If people stopped buying puppies with cropped ears and docked tails, this practice would have to stop.
The power of the consumer…it’s worth thinking about.
One final note on Schipperkes I found on The Breeds Of Dogs website: Schipperke legend tells of a shoemaker who, in 1609, became irritated at the persistent thieving of his neighbour’s dog and, after finally catching him at it, cut off his tail. The much-improved appearance of the mutilated thief supposedly was copied, starting the trend for docking. (www.thebreedsofdogs.com)
If this legend is true, it’s been nearly 400 years since one Schipperke stole something from a shoemaker. Have we not evolved as human beings since 1609?
3 comments:
AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AVMA) states
a) Ear Cropping and Tail Docking
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 anaesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00014.htm END
On the surface of a dog's tail are supra-caudal scent glands about one third the way from base which are believed to waft pheromones.
We have a hunting dog which is now 6 years old. When we got him his tail had been docked, but it had been cut too short and very badly. He has a permament scab on the end of his tail which is also very tender and suffers from bladder and kidney problems. He has now started taking fits. The vet says a lot of it is to do with his short tail as it allows the germs to get into his system much easier. We love him so much but we do not think he will live much longer.
Interesting notice. In fact I have a little dog which have it the tail normal when we got it, so it's better to keep it like this. As a matter my grandfather saw it on the internet while he was looking Viagra Online
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