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Those of you living in countries where these practices are already illegal could help via e-mails, faxes, letters and phone calls. Letters to the editors, to the media, to the daily columnists and to canine publications would help. Included on this site is a complete list of breed data from breed clubs, recognized by the American Kennel Club, that crop dogs' ears. (A list is provided for breeds that dock tails and those marked with an (*) are subjected to surgery at both ends...ears and tails!) We have included addresses of organizations and individuals that merit being contacted with the expectation that some action be taken. Some dogs that normally would have been subjected to having their ears cropped are now being shown with natural ears. If their ears have to stand on their own for AKC, they still can be shown under their own FCI breed standards in international shows, now being held in America (see IABCA). Recently, a natural eared Boxer has been shown to BIS, a Great Dane was in the top 10 with natural ears, several Miniature Pinschers have obtained their championships, and more Boston Terriers are going into the Non Sporting Group without having their whole ears chopped in half because someone thought their heads looked more slim and trim with cropped ears! With the popularity of the Brussels "Jill" in the film As Good As It Gets and her natural ears, breeders of that toy variety are now refusing to crop. There's a sensational breeder and exhibitor who has quit ear cropping, and tail docking, with all of her Affenpinschers. They are also being shown... and winning...with FULL TAILS.
We need to compliment and encourage judges who recognize and give wins to dogs before them with natural ears, or with full tails, or both! Obviously, we do not want the overall quality of the whole dog to be compromised, but we also do not need to continue to try to make a champion out of a 'pet' that could not get an AKC point until its ears got cropped. If ears are too large, too heavy, too poorly placed on a head, or a whole lot of other problems, it shouldn't suffice to be able to just cut ears half off and then state, "Now we have a show dog. Oh, how elegant!" Veterinarians need to stop greeting new puppy owners with the words "You better be getting those ears cropped! It will be too late if you put it off much longer!" Here is a new owner, with their prized addition to the family, being told they HAVE to have the ears cropped because that's the way it's done with that breed! Too many puppy owners come back crying when they see the effects of what they have paid high prices to have done to their young puppies. Many dogs have gone absolutely head crazy, had ear infections to correct, developed lifelong seizures, and also an instant awareness that you really do not love them because cropping ears is not an act of love! LET'S
STOP THE CROPS ... AND THEN THE DOCKS!
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