The Painful Cost of 'Breed Standards'

            “Ridiculous,” says Ron Aiello, executive director the United States War Dogs Association, composed of former and current military dog handlers. “I don’t know where they [AKC] are coming up with this,” he says, noting “there is no absolutely no purpose for clipping a dog’s ears or tail.” Most military dogs are German shepherds, Belgian malinois, or Labradors, none of which have their ears cropped or tails docked. “We have dogs who have their ears pointed, and some whose ears are naturally floppy,” says the former combat Marine, who points out, “Our dogs all have their tails. It doesn’t affect their hygiene or abilities.” 

           Docking and cropping may eventually be eliminated in the United States if states pass legislation that bans the procedures except for medical necessity, and then only by veterinarians. “The vast majority of veterinary students say they don’t want to perform these procedures,” says Hodges. The procedures remain in surgery textbooks for medical reasons, she says, “and not because of the desire to help perpetuate breed standards.” Emi Eaton, president of the Student AVMA, agrees. In a statement issued shortly after the AMVA policy issued its policy against docking and cropping, Eaton noted, “Many of the younger student body are behind ear cropping and tail docking only for medical reasons.” 

            If humans want to bob their noses, augment their breasts, pierce their bodies, or enter any of several thousand beauty and “fitness” contests, it’s their decision. But, to subject a dog to butchery because of imperious “breed standards” and pseudo-medical beliefs is nothing less than cruelty, and must be condemned.  

           [Walter Brasch, an award-winning journalist, is professor of mass communications and journalism at Bloomsburg University, and former president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. His latest book is Sinking the Ship of State: The Presidency of George W. Bush, winner of awards from the Pennsylvania Press Club, USA Book News, and Indy Books Awards. The book is available at amazon.com and other stores. You may contact Dr. Brasch through his website, http://www.walterbrasch.com]  

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