Ear and tail docking involve surgically removing part of a dog’s ears or tail. This practice, which has been around for centuries, originally aimed to prevent injuries in hunting and working dogs. However, it has since evolved into a cosmetic procedure with no practical benefit, widely criticized by animal welfare organizations.
Ear docking is typically performed on puppies between 6 and 12 weeks old for aesthetic reasons. The procedure involves cutting off a portion of the ear flap under anesthesia, after which the ears are taped and supported to encourage an upright position. The healing process usually takes about two months. Tail docking involves removing most of a puppy’s tail, usually when the dog is just 3 to 5 days old, and it is done without anesthesia. The rationale being that a young puppy’s nervous system is not fully developed, so the procedure causes no pain. However, this claim is controversial. The healing period for a docked tail is typically four to six weeks. Both ear and tail docking carry the expense and risks associated with any surgical procedure, such as infection, bleeding and complications from anesthesia. Furthermore, there is no medical benefit for most dogs, making the practice largely unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate with other dogs and humans. The position of a dog’s ears, mouth and tail conveys emotions such as fear, aggression, happiness or submission. When a dog’s ears or tail are surgically altered, it disrupts this natural communication. For instance, docked ears or a missing tail can make a dog appear tense or aggressive, even if it is not, potentially leading to misunderstandings with other dogs or people. Conversely, these alterations might give a false impression of confidence, resulting in miscommunication and possible reactivity. A helpful analogy would be if a person’s browline were permanently altered to remain in a furrowed state, this would make it quite difficult for others to accurately read their emotions.
Animal welfare organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, all oppose ear and tail docking. They argue that it causes pain, offers no benefit to the animal and carries surgical risks. Despite the AVMA’s recommendation to remove docking from breed standards, the American Kennel Club still encourages the practice by including it in breed standards. While many European countries have banned docking, it remains legal in the United States, with minimal regulation. Only a few states, such as Maryland and Pennsylvania, have laws requiring that docking be performed by a licensed veterinarian.
La Plata County Humane Society opposes ear and tail docking and encourages breeders and pet owners to reconsider this outdated practice. Ending docking aligns with modern animal welfare standards and promotes healthier, more natural communication for dogs.
Colleen Dunning is development manager at La Plata County Humane Society.
