B & B Schnauzers

                       Standard and Miniature Schnauzers

Cropping of ears was done originally to protect the dog from injury while working or hunting.  Then as breeds began to attend dog shows it became the norm and is now part of the official breed standard for many breeds.  Personally, we do not crop our dogs' ears and do not recommend having it done.  There are no benefits that we can think of at this time for cropping any miniature schnauzer's ears.  Even though we have never owned a dog with cropped ears, we have heard and read that there is a lot of aftercare required of the cropped ears, and that it is usually very painful for the dog.  Some people claim that cropped ears are healthier and there is less risk of ear infection in a cropped dog.  We have never had one single ear infection. Proper care and cleanliness of the ears is required, not ear cropping.  A lot of show dogs are still done, but hopefully that will change when people's attitudes change about what really matters when it comes to form and function in dogs.  Since cropping of the ears is a complicated and painful surgical procedure that requires anesthesia, we see no purpose for it in the future of most breeds of dogs.  Not only that, more and more vets are reluctant to do the procedure without very good reason, and I know that many veterinary colleges do not even train new vets how to do it at all.  It is also illegal in many countries and that will hopefully become a more widespread thing.

Dewclaws may be present on both the front and hind feet, but are more commonly found on the front, a little higher on the leg, much like a thumb.  Dewclaws are also removed at 2-3 days of age so there is minimal pain felt. Dewclaws are removed using veterinary suture removal scissors.  They have a little hook that can be placed firmly behind the dewclaw allowing for a clean quick cut, and there is minimal bleeding.  If dewclaws are not removed they can cause many problems in adult dogs.  The dewclaws, if not kept cut short, can grow around and grow right into the side of the foot or foot pad, which is a very painful and needless thing.  Also, dewclaws can and do get hooked on everything, even carpet, and if they tear it is very painful and can bleed profusely and be very traumatic for both dog and owner.  It is much better to prevent such problems with dewclaw removal, and this quick procedure is more readily accepted and even encouraged.

Docked Tails

The docking of dogs tails is a practice which has been carried out for centuries in order to avoid tail damage, for hygiene and other reasons. Today there are over fifty traditionally docked breeds which are recognized by various Kennel Clubs.

But docking has, in recent years, come under the scrutiny of the veterinary establishment, which has condemned the practice as an "unjustified mutilation".

Breeders, dog owners and many veterinary surgeons disagree with this view. They believe that if docking ceased, dogs would suffer.

Docking, they say, is a perfectly humane procedure when properly carried out, and one, which prevents far more distress than it causes. It is, like neutering, simply a practical animal management technique which should remain available to dog breeders and owners.

It recently has been a practice that dog owners are seeing less and less of in Canada and Europe.  There are certain countries where it is banned altogether.

If it was not for the look of a docked tail that new owners like to see in their schnauzers, I would not do it.  It is painful to the puppy and although the puppy forgets about soon after it is very tramatic.