Joined
·
1,588 Posts
Since there was mention made on another thread about "surgically altering" dogs, I thought I would pass along some information on the subject as the previous poster gave completely false information. Katoba was alluding to the fact that it is illegal to recrop an already cropped Doberman. I assure you it is not.
The AKC rules with regards to surgical alterations are intended to prevent the exhibition of dogs changed with intent of hiding a possible inherited fault, one that would normally cause disqualification or severe penalization in the show ring. Examples of such would be missing or misaligned teeth, unacceptable markings, missing testicles, etc. Certain procedures would mask traits that could be passed on, and this is what the rules are designed to prevent. The recropping or redocking of an already cropped or docked dog simple does not apply here. I have personally verified this information correct with the AKC. They consider a recrop still a cropping, a redock still a docking, which is acceptable according to the rules, (as long as stated acceptable in your breed standard) no matter how many times you do it.
Many breeds besides Dobermans are cropped and/or docked and/or have dew claws removed. These are all considered acceptable alterations and the AKC recognizes as such in its rules and regulations. For example the AKC rules state:
A dog which is blind, deaf castrated, spayed or which has been altered by artificial means except as specified in the standard of its breed or a male which does not have two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum may not compete at any show and will be disqualified except that a castrated male may be entered as Stud Dog in the Stud Dog Class and a spayed bitch may be entered as Brood Bitch in the Brood Bitch class. A dog will not be considered to have been changed by artificial means because of removal of dewclaws or docking of tail if it is of a breed in which such removal or docking is a regularly approved practice which is not contrary to the standard.
A dog is considered changed in appearance by artificial means if it has been subjected any type of procedure that has the effect of obscuring, disguising or eliminating a congenital or hereditary abnormality or any undesirable characteristic, or that does anything to improve a dogs natural appearance, temperament, bite or gait.
Examples are:
1)The correction of entropion, ectropion, trichaisis or distichiasis
2)Trimming removal or tattooing of the third eyelid. (nictitating membrane)
3)The insertion of an eye prosthesis.
4)Correction of harelip, cleft palate, stenotic nares, or an elongated soft palate resection.
5)Any procedure to change ear set or carriage other than permitted by the breed standard.
6)Restorative dental procedures, the use of bands or braces on the teeth ro any alteration of the dental arcade.
7)The removal of excess skin folds, or the removal of skin patched to alter markings.
8)Correction of inguinal, scrotal or perineal hernias.
9)Surgery for hip dysplasia, O.C.D., patellar luxation and femoral head resection.
10)Alteration of the location of the testes or the insertion of an artificial testicle.
11)Altering the set or carriage of the tail.
Many times at cropping time ears are done too long or wind up miss shaped for whatever reason, and a recrop is warrented. Same for tails. Many times tails are done too long at three days old and need to be redone when the puppy is older. None of these procedures according to the rules is "illegal".
As a side note, and as a responsible breeder I am concerned when a person who is uninformed individual with personal agendas is diseminating false and misleading information. I hope this helps to clear up any questions.
Regards to all
Elaine Hopper
Starlaine Dobermans & Whippets
www.starlaine.com
The AKC rules with regards to surgical alterations are intended to prevent the exhibition of dogs changed with intent of hiding a possible inherited fault, one that would normally cause disqualification or severe penalization in the show ring. Examples of such would be missing or misaligned teeth, unacceptable markings, missing testicles, etc. Certain procedures would mask traits that could be passed on, and this is what the rules are designed to prevent. The recropping or redocking of an already cropped or docked dog simple does not apply here. I have personally verified this information correct with the AKC. They consider a recrop still a cropping, a redock still a docking, which is acceptable according to the rules, (as long as stated acceptable in your breed standard) no matter how many times you do it.
Many breeds besides Dobermans are cropped and/or docked and/or have dew claws removed. These are all considered acceptable alterations and the AKC recognizes as such in its rules and regulations. For example the AKC rules state:
A dog which is blind, deaf castrated, spayed or which has been altered by artificial means except as specified in the standard of its breed or a male which does not have two normal testicles normally located in the scrotum may not compete at any show and will be disqualified except that a castrated male may be entered as Stud Dog in the Stud Dog Class and a spayed bitch may be entered as Brood Bitch in the Brood Bitch class. A dog will not be considered to have been changed by artificial means because of removal of dewclaws or docking of tail if it is of a breed in which such removal or docking is a regularly approved practice which is not contrary to the standard.
A dog is considered changed in appearance by artificial means if it has been subjected any type of procedure that has the effect of obscuring, disguising or eliminating a congenital or hereditary abnormality or any undesirable characteristic, or that does anything to improve a dogs natural appearance, temperament, bite or gait.
Examples are:
1)The correction of entropion, ectropion, trichaisis or distichiasis
2)Trimming removal or tattooing of the third eyelid. (nictitating membrane)
3)The insertion of an eye prosthesis.
4)Correction of harelip, cleft palate, stenotic nares, or an elongated soft palate resection.
5)Any procedure to change ear set or carriage other than permitted by the breed standard.
6)Restorative dental procedures, the use of bands or braces on the teeth ro any alteration of the dental arcade.
7)The removal of excess skin folds, or the removal of skin patched to alter markings.
8)Correction of inguinal, scrotal or perineal hernias.
9)Surgery for hip dysplasia, O.C.D., patellar luxation and femoral head resection.
10)Alteration of the location of the testes or the insertion of an artificial testicle.
11)Altering the set or carriage of the tail.
Many times at cropping time ears are done too long or wind up miss shaped for whatever reason, and a recrop is warrented. Same for tails. Many times tails are done too long at three days old and need to be redone when the puppy is older. None of these procedures according to the rules is "illegal".
As a side note, and as a responsible breeder I am concerned when a person who is uninformed individual with personal agendas is diseminating false and misleading information. I hope this helps to clear up any questions.
Regards to all
Elaine Hopper
Starlaine Dobermans & Whippets
www.starlaine.com