Docking tails and cropping ears is USUALLY unneccesary and painful for the dog, so unless you intend to show it, leave him natural. Mutts tend to be healthier though, just due to more genetic variation. If you haven't completely got your hear set on a specific breed, please consider a dog from the shelter -- they need you most. :)

I wouldn't mind the breeding if there wasn't so much damn in breeding, over breeding, and unscrupalous breeders who use bad stock. And I hate docking a dogs ears and tails. Those are there for a reason leave them alone. It's painfull and unnessary as well as removing a dogs natural balance mechanism and protection for their ear canals and it ruins their hearing. As it stands right now I'd rather have a mutt from the pound ouver a dog with a pedigree.

I love German Shepherds but they do not need any surgery to make them beautiful. In the UK all that bobbing of tails and cutting ears is illegal, so all breeds are natural. Do these ladies need surgery to be beautiful?

I have one purebred dog who is a pain in the ass. One inbred mutt that is a pain in the ass. And one mixed German Shephard, springer spaniel that is the best dog we have ever had (of course we love them all equally, wink wink). The two pains in ass are females and the good one is male. He waits with my son for the school bus in the morning and is waiting for him to get off in the afternoon. All the kids on the bus say hi to him every day. He sleeps at the foot of my son's bed and only barks when necessary. When I sit in a chair he jumps up behind the chair and plays with my hair (I'm totally serious).

I have a rough collie. And I have to admit I don't keep her fur as I should to fit with the 'breed standard'. I feel it's more important for the comfort of the dog. As she goes out quite alot, usually to forests and things, her fur can become very tangled and dirty. So I keep the fur on her tummy and legs quite short. Also I let her ears grow natural, instead of 'training' them. So now she has one pricked ear, and one semi pricked ear :D I think dogs should be allowed to grow naturally, without docking tails or 'trimming' ears.

Different dog breeds exist because each breed was created to some kind of service, such as hunting, herding, guarding, killing rats, pulling carts, fighting etc. If none of those services are need by by you then what you want is a companion dog, which most breeds are good for, but so are mutts. Mutts have an advantage over purebreds due to a factor known as hybrid vigor which makes them less likely to get the diseases and genetic disorders that purebred dogs suffer from. Also when you adopt a mutt, you are saving a life, purebred dogs being sold from breeders or pet shops (which you shouldn't by from as the puppies come from puppy mills) will almost always get sold, but mutts are rarely adopted, and thus are the first ones to be euthanized. I honestly believe that having a purebred dog is just a status symbol, since most people don't use their dogs for the purpose the dog was bred for. Most retriever owners aren't hunters, and most terrier owners don't have a barn or granary that they need protected from rodents. If you want a dog for companionship the breed shouldn't matter that much. It's called docking, not bobbing and yes, it is solely for aesthetic purpose, as I noted before the majority of dog owners aren't using dogs for their breeds intended purpose. I think docking and cropping are cruel and I think the practice is illegal in the EU.

Often the dogs need the grooming to keep them in good condition as their hair or whatever will be a mess without it. It's like the dogs have been bred to need it. There is great exaggeration in many of the clips but the basic reasons make sense. Like the tips of the tail and ears, the poms around the joints were all the keep the dog warm while retrieving in water leaving the rest of the coat easy maintenance. Sometimes the tail cropping made sense as well. For instance some of the hunting breeds lash out with their so often and are so nervous with them that they end up getting bloody ends with huge scabs. I know, as I had a German Shorthair pointer that wasn't cropped but had her natural tail, as well as a Weimaraner with the same problem. But for most dogs it's just cosmetics. I've heard that some dogs were better with their ears cropped for better circulation, but I've never seen or heard proof of that.

I think thetre definitely is a point where dog breeding becomes pointless and detrimental. Look at dalmations; some of them are so inbred that they've got more spots that brain cells. If you're not looking for a dog to fulfill a specific role (like if you need a dog with a great nose or thick, insulating hair or something like that) then for the most part a dog is a dog is a dog. There's not much difference between a husky and a husky mix when it comes to temperament, and in many cases a mix is more beneficial because you get the best of several breeds.

Oh I think bred and mutts are both wonderful. I have had both, a dog is a dog (unless you are looking for a certain breed). I am more of the type of person who I am who I am, and I am not going to try an be like and look every body else. So I have a Westie, well she is a soft coat. Considered a huge flaw. But she is super cute, and I would never change what people consider to be a flaw. And bobbing the tails, I do think that is super cruel and nobody will change my mind about that. Poor dogs. But yea really when you put it that way I think it sort of is plastic surgery to make dogs fits standards. Also to make a comment about the above. Me having a Westie isn't about a status symbol. I actually had a friend adopt one from a pound, I fell in love with the breed. Found a lady that was going to send my current dog to the pound because it couldn't be sold because of its coat. I think people just find a certain type of dog you fall in love with. I have had many farm dogs that were mutts ( border collie mixed with shepard) they are also extremely wonderful. Its just all in what you like. I am not to good for a mutt or a pure bred I love them all. Not matter what is wrong with them.

They're all cute and need a home. Boxers need to have their tails bobbed as puppies. If it is grown out, it's like a stiff rope that knocks over everything. I like it that they do not have their ears done anymore. It did hurt the dog and the contraption to make the ears stand up scratched and irritated them. Mostly, the breed dictates what needs to be done and is superficial. Unless you're planning to show the dog, it is up to you.

I tend to be more of a fan of TEMPERAMENT and ATTITUDE... I want a smart dog, that is willing to work WITH ME...one that is generally relaxed, interested in learning, willing to become reliable in doing Good Behaviors, is trustworthy, and willing to trust in ME as well. If the dog is a THINKING DOG...rare across the board, that's a big plus, if you train them right because the dog then learns commands, is willing to do commands, but is also capable of usually choosing GOOD ACTIONS, if there is a "situation" that I may not have or realize all of the parts that need to be considered! A THINKING DOG is the type of dog that might realize someone had bad intentions towards you, and the dog might take action, that is not what you've asked the dog to do...such as you told the dog to sit, but the dog either didn't, or did, but is still on alert towards "the person" in question. Then, when the person makes a move that could cause you harm, the dog moves! THIS DOG..does not maul the person, or cause EXCESSIVE HARM...they do, however, STOP the person from doing what ever they were planning to do that might hurt you! This dog is usually a great and normally friendly family friend! They may be bomb proof with children. They some how realize that they do not need to use EXCESSIVE FORCE to stop someone harmful...but they may GRAB the person, by a body part and they do warn them to stop now. This dog, if they have to choose between coming because you just called them, and dashing out of the front yard to try and stop a 2 year old who is tottling towards the street...will be prone to ignore YOU and go after the child! They may look at you afterwards as if to say..."surely you understand, I wasn't trying to be naughty, but I couldn't not go to this silly little person!" They are usually gentle, and well behaved, good tempered dogs! I am SO NOT A FAN of "fashion surgeries" for animals, or anyone really! I like tails and ears exactly where God put them the first time!

I am more of a purerbred dog person. As long as they are of good stock and not over bred, etc they are very wonderful dogs. You also know what you are getting, size, looks and temperament-wise. While most mutts are fine dogs, I'd never own one. I'd also certainly never pay purebred prices for a mutt (cockapoo, goldendoodle, pomapoo, etc... especially). I hate when people argue that their "designer dog" mutts are actual breeds. it will take a long time before they are recognized as breeds if ever. Yes, most mutts are less prone to purebred genetic health issues but they still inherit the risks. As far as cropping and docking go... I am for it on the proper breeds. I would never imagine my doberman without their ears cropped and tails docked. Sure, they may not need it done for the original purposes anymore but it *is* the breed standard. It's a personal preference either way.

I love my mutt -- shepard/husky mix. She's got an awesome personality and fits in well with the family. That's what matters to me -- plus we had rescued her from the pound.

I have 3 purebreds, a german shepard who is all natural and must be brushed regularly if you dont want alot of hair all over everything. I have a rottweiler who had already had his tail docked when I got him, I would not have had it done, light brushing is all you need for him. Last but not least, I have a Bulldog, she is by far the most demanding as far as grooming goes. You have to be really careful about keeping those wrinkles clean and dry or they can develop a skin irritation and infection. All are wonderful quirky dogs. Mutts are just as lovable.

I am totally against bobbing the tail, but cropping the ears does serve a purpose. Dogs with cropped ears are less likely to get ear infections, because if moisture gets in their ears, it has a better chance of drying w/out the ear flap keeping air out of the ear (bacteria love dark, damp places). The hair cuts on certain breeds were also established for a purpose, like the poodle, which is a water dog. The hair is removed from most parts of the body to aid in swimming, but left around the joints to keep them warm and moving more fluidly. I personally choose to rescue pets, as this discourages indiscriminate breeding and puppy mills(breeding should only be done to improve the breed and because the breeder loves the breed, not just to make money). If you do want a pure bred, please find a reputable breeder. Your local vet should be able to recommend a breeder. Visit the breeder, and make sure that all of the dogs there are healthy and well cared for. Also, do your research on the breed. Good luck!