A Doberman named Penny has claimed the prestigious Best in Show title at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, but her victory has sparked intense debate across social media. Competing against 2,500 dogs representing 200 different breeds, Penny impressed the judges and secured the top honor at one of America’s most celebrated canine competitions. However, her win quickly became controversial due to her cropped ears and docked tail, cosmetic procedures that many animal welfare experts consider unnecessary and harmful. Like last year’s winner Monty, Penny’s altered appearance has reignited discussions about whether such practices should continue to be accepted in professional dog shows.
The backlash on social media was swift and passionate, with commenters expressing frustration over the message Penny’s win sends to dog owners and breeders. One user wrote on the official show’s Instagram post, “There’s no doubt, the dog is beautiful. But giving the title of most beautiful dog to a dog with cropped ears and docked tail is directly opposed to messages against such practices and only encourages what should be suppressed.” Another commenter added, “It’s time for standards to change. This dog would be equally magnificent, smart and dear if it hadn’t been subjected to such a procedure.” The criticism highlights a growing divide between American dog show standards and international attitudes toward cosmetic alterations on animals.
Ear cropping and tail docking are already illegal in numerous countries outside the United States, and many international dog shows have banned the participation of dogs who have undergone these procedures. The Crufts show, organized by the UK Kennel Club, openly opposes the practice and has taken a firm stance against it. Their website states, “This is a barbaric procedure. The Kennel Club has always opposed ear cropping and banned such dogs from our shows more than 100 years ago. We are deeply concerned that this practice is spreading again. We will continue to support efforts to reduce the demand and supply of dogs with cropped ears, educate owners about the consequences for health and animal welfare, and advocate for restrictions on importing such dogs.” This international pressure has not yet influenced American show standards, where cropped and docked dogs remain fully eligible for competition.
The American Kennel Club continues to defend its acceptance of these procedures at shows under its organization, claiming that such alterations help dogs retain their ability to perform historical functions like hunting or guarding livestock. The AKC argues that opposition to these practices is based on a misunderstanding of the reasons and methods by which they are performed. In fact, the organization mandates tail docking for certain breeds, including Dobermans, with the official standard stating that the tail should be docked at approximately the second vertebra, appear as an extension of the spine, and be carried slightly above the back when the dog is alert. While ear cropping is not mandatory, it remains a common practice among breeders and owners who show their dogs competitively.
Despite the AKC’s claims that these procedures do not harm animals, many veterinary professionals strongly disagree with this position. Dr. Randall Cannon, a veterinarian who was consulted by Kinship, explained the reality of what these dogs experience. “It’s an amputation,” Dr. Cannon stated. “Dogs go through it like real trauma. The entire edge of the ear must be stitched and takes weeks to heal. After that, the ears are secured with supports and taped to stand upright.” He also clarified that tails are typically docked without anesthesia just a few days after birth. “They’re so small that general anesthesia cannot be provided, so a clamp is simply placed on the end of the tail and then the tail is cut off,” he explained. The graphic description underscores the invasiveness of procedures that many consider purely aesthetic.
Critics point out that while the AKC invokes functional tradition as justification, no dog show includes segments where dogs would actually demonstrate these skills. The standards are therefore exclusively aesthetic and arbitrary by nature. Since numerous other kennel organizations have already banned such practices and adjusted their criteria accordingly, pressure is mounting for the American Kennel Club to follow suit. The debate over Penny’s win reflects broader questions about whether tradition should outweigh animal welfare concerns in competitive dog breeding.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious dog competitions in the United States, having been held annually since 1877. The show takes place over two days and features thousands of dogs competing in breed-specific categories before the Best in Show winner is selected. Doberman Pinschers are a German breed originally developed in the 1890s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector who wanted a loyal guard dog. The breed is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and athletic build, making Dobermans popular as both working dogs and family companions. They typically stand 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 60 to 100 pounds. While Dobermans naturally have floppy ears and long tails, the cropped and docked look has been associated with the breed for decades in American show culture.
What are your thoughts on cosmetic procedures like ear cropping and tail docking in show dogs? Share your perspective in the comments.
