DON'T
CRY TO ME
BECAUSE YOU CAME
TO THE PROM WITHOUT A PROM DRESS!
A perspective on the
American practice of docking and cropping
By CinDee Byer
REPRINTED WITH THE
PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
In
these turbulent times there are real threats of mandatory spay
and neutering, breed specific legislation, breeding
restrictions, ownership number restrictions and the banning of
procedures that benefit certain breeds of dogs. It is time for
us to make a stand. After all we are Americans where our
principles are based upon freedoms and a democracy. Americans,
where we celebrate our diversity and because of our freedoms,
and diversity we breed some of the finest dogs in the world!
That's right we breed some of the finest dogs in the world! When
it comes to docking and cropping we need not be ashamed. Those
involved know these are wonderful procedures and done properly,
cropping and docking is not only beautiful, part the breeds
history, but are safe and beneficial in so many ways.
There is so much that angers me when we put this issue up for
debate. First we have to realize this is not about docking or
cropping! Banning procedures like this is a hidden agenda of
those who want to take all of our rights away when it comes to
owning dogs. Non issues like docking and cropping are simply a
way to divide and conquer the fancy. To win this fancy needs to
stand firm and I mean firm! If you don't have a back bone now
you'd better start growing one! They are coming after us all and
they will pick apart breeds one at a time infiltrating the fancy
by leaving parent clubs in turmoil over non issues. If you want
to continue owning and exhibiting whatever breed it is you love
we need to stop the debates and stand united.
Okay, here is where backbone comes in. Let's admit it, most
people in this country who own a breed that is historically
cropped, and they choose not to crop, choose not to crop out of
convenience and more often than not due to the cost of the
procedure. Let's stop being kind here! They are mistaking our
kindness for weakness! Some of these people hide behind the
noble smoke screen of "I would never do that to my pet" but
think nothing of rushing their "pet" off to the vet to have a
much more serious, unnecessary procedure like a spay or neuter
for their convenience.
It is time to be proud of the meticulous care we take of our
dogs and it is time that we turn that accusing finger of cruelty
back on our accuser who hides behind a mask of concern. I
repeat, we are Americans, we have some of the greatest breeders
in the world, who have bred some of the finest dogs in the
world!
Another bone of contention I have is that I enjoy watching and
studying dogs and breeders from different countries. Kudos to
their beliefs and standards, kudos to those counties who tell
exhibitors from America "you can't show that cropped dog here!"
but I don't want to live by restrictions from other countries, I
am an American. I am proud that we still up hold tradition using
the technology of today. I don't want to conform to a world
standard dictated by God knows who. I want to be an American
living with my American bred Dobermans. Exhibiting them with
pride, in the American Kennel Club shows. Doesn't it make anyone
else just a little upset that some of these other registries,
who have fallen to the pressure of banning cropping and soon
docking can tell us we can't show our dogs according to our
standards at their shows? Yet we seem to welcome them with open
arms here at our all-breed shows, specialties and even
Nationals. Then I hear "boo hoo we can't win because those "ugly
Americans" crop their dogs."
Oh, please don't cry to me because you came to the prom without
a prom dress!
Finally are there really breeders and exhibitors out there naive
enough to believe that if we change our standards to include a
DROPPED ear that the problem is solved and the radicals will
just go away? Well, it's time to open your eyes, honey, because
here comes "Boo Hoo, I can't show my undocked dog they need to
change the standard"! Boo Hoo, I have a long legged dachshund I
can't show, and I don't know why they aren't used for rodent
control anymore so why does he need short legs! Boo Hoo, I don't
want to groom my poodle, besides it's cruel to make them stand
so long on that grooming table! Boo Hoo I have a toothless
pointer, what do we need teeth for today anyway, he has a soft
mouth! Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo, Boo Hoo! Please don't cry to me because
you didn't wear a prom dress to the prom! We are Americans; be
proud that we have standards and dressed up for the the event!
You may not like me or what I have said, but I like you and I
love the dogs you breed. I am proud of the standards that you
have preserved through famines, wars and tragedies. You have
triumphed above all else to become some of the best breeders,
teachers and exhibitors in the world -- don't allow them to
force you to wear sweat pants to your prom! Changing standards
is an admission of guilt. It is a plea bargain, admitting that
all this time you've been doing it wrong and now you are willing
to take what seems to be a lesser sentence. We are not guilty of
a crime and we sure as hell are not criminals! Don't let
yourself believe that changing a few words will end this radical
thinking, don't believe sacrificing one breed will preserve the
future of others.
Please unite, be strong, and continue being the great breeders
of America that you are! We should have fun celebrating our
American-bred cropped and docked breeds, so remember to keep the
bar high, and never leave your prom dress at home just because
the rest of the world is wearing sweat pants!
ANOTHER ARTICLE
BY CINDEE BYER PREVIOUSLY ON DANELINKS
CROPPING AND DOCKING
Where do the choices end and standards begin?
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