Summary: Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and have been bred for centuries to have a certain "look." But we don't stop there. Many newborn pups get their tails docked--without pain medicine or anesthesia!--and/or ears cropped by twelve weeks of age, simply to satisfy our taste for a given style. But do these surgeries offer any benefit to the dog? What about negative consequences? Some countries deem it unethical or even illegal to crop or dock ears or tails. Dr. Lore I. Haug, a veterinary behaviorist practicing at South Texas Veterinary Behavior Services , discusses the pros and cons of the procedure.
