EAR CROPPING AND TAIL DOCKING STANDARDS

Under most circumstances, canine ear cropping and tail docking are not medically necessary and are performed purely for cosmetic reasons. As a pet owner, we recommend you talk with your veterinarian about the associated risks and discomforts of the surgeries, before electing to have your dog's ears cropped and/or tail docked.

An improperly docked tail may ruin a puppy for show purposes. If one is in doubt, consultation with your veterinarian or an established breeder is suggested. There may be variations among puppies, and a knowledge of breed characteristics is important in determining the correct length to dock. You should always provide your veterinarian with specific information as to the length of dock you desire.

If after consulting with your veterinarian, you elect to proceed with the surgery, the following information is provided for your information and use:

Ear Cropping
 

Breed	Length of Ear	Optimal Age for Cropping
Affenpinscher	1 - 11/2 inches	10-12 weeks
Boston Terrier	21/2 - 3 inches	10-12 weeks
Boxer	21/2 - 23/4 inches	8-10 weeks
Doberman Pinscher	21/4 - 21/2 inches	8-10 weeks
Giant Schnauzer	21/2 - 23/4 inches	8-10 weeks
Great Dane	3 - 4 inches	8-10 weeks
Miniature Pinscher	11/2 - 13/4 inches	10-12 weeks
Miniature Schnauzer	11/2 - 2 inches	8-10 weeks
Standard Schnauzer	2 - 21/2 inches	8-10 weeks

 

Standards for Tail Docking
 

Breed	Length at Less than One Week of Age
Sporting Breeds
Brittany Spaniel	Leave 1 inch
Clumber Spaniel	Leave 1/4 - 1/3
Cocker Spaniel	Leave 1/3 (about 3/4 inch)
English Cocker Spaniel	Leave 1/3
English Springer Spaniel	Leave 1/3
Field Spaniel	Leave 1/3
German Shorthaired Pointer	Leave 2/5
German Wirehaired Pointer	Leave 2/5
Sussex Spaniel	Leave 1/3
Vizla	Leave 2/3
Weimaraner	Leave 3/5 (about 11/2 inches)
Welsh Springer Spaniel	Leave 1/3 - 1/2
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon	Leave 1/3
Working Breeds
Bouvier des Flandres	Leave 1/2 - 3/4 inch
Boxer	Leave 1/2 - 3/4 inch
Doberman Pinscher	Leave 3/4 inch (two vertebrae)
Giant Schnauzer	Leave 11/4 inches (three vertebrae)
Old English Sheepdog	If necessary - close to body (leave one vertebra)
Rottweiler	If necessary - close to body (leave one vertebra)
Standard Schnauzer	Leave 1 inch (two vertebrae)
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)	Close to body (leave one vertebra)
Terrier Breeds
Airedale Terrier	Leave 2/3 - 3/4 *‡
Australian Terrier	Leave 2/5
Fox Terrier (Smooth & Wirehaired)	Leave 2/3 - 3/4 *‡
Irish Terrier	Leave 3/4
Kerry Blue Terrier	Leave 1/2 - 2/3
Lakeland Terrier	Leave 2/3‡
Norwich Terrier	Leave 1/4 - 1/3
Miniature Schnauzer	Leave about 3/4 inch - not more than 1 inch
Sealyham Terrier	Leave 1/3 - 1/2
Welsh Terrier	Leave 2/3‡
‡ The tip of the docked tail should be approximately level with the top of the skull with the puppy in show position.
Toy Breeds
Affenpinscher	Close to body (leave 1/3 inch)
Brussels Griffon	Leave 1/4 - 1/3
English Toy Spaniel	Leave 1/3
Miniature Pinscher	Leave 1/2 inch (two vertebrae)
Toy Poodle	Leave 1/2 - 2/3 (about 1 inch)
Silky Terrier	Leave about 1/3 (about 1/2 inch)
Yorkshire Terrier	Leave about 1/3 (about 1/2 inch)
Nonsporting Breeds
Miniature Poodle	Leave 1/2 - 2/3 (about 11/8 inches)
Standard Poodle	Leave 1/2 - 2/3 (about 11/2 inches)
Miscellaneous Breed (not registered by American Kennel Club)
Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier	Leave 1/4

An improperly docked tail may ruin a puppy for show purposes. If one is in doubt, consultation with an established breeder is suggested. There may be variations among puppies, and a knowledge of breed characteristics is important in determining the correct length to dock. You should always provide your veterinarian with specific information as to the length of dock you desire.

RESOUCE: 1968, Current Veterinary Therapy III, Small Animal Practice