Dog Physical Alteration
Clipped ears have become part of the standard for some breeds, including Doberman Pinschers. Although some functional purpose for this alteration (such as protecting the ears in low brush) may have existed in the past, ear slipping generally done today for cosmetic reasons or to suit a breed standard. If you do have your dog;’s ears clipped, consult with a veterinarian to discuss the proper age, procedure and follow up for this surgery.
In the past, tail docking protected a dog’s tail from injury, especially when a dog worked in the fields. While tail docking is less common today, it is sometimes done on large, powerful dogs whose thick, strong tails can inadvertently injure people’s legs and damage family furniture. In such case, the tails are clipped within the first week after birth. Tail docking should never be done as a dog ages; it is costly to perform and painful in older dogs.
For dogs that have their tails clipped very close to the body, the snip should be made at either the first or second joint. The tail will grow as the puppy ages, and can reach a very odd in between length if not clipped short enough from the beginning. Other tails are clipped to a specific length (four inches when full grown or half the natural length are common). If you plan to buy pr breed dogs with docked tails, be sure you know the proper length in advance. Check local laws first, since some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, forbid these practices entirely.