<P> Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail . While docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears . Tail docking occurs in one of two ways . The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off . The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel . The length to which tails are docked varies by breed, and is often specified in the breed standard . </P> <P> At least 170 dog breeds have naturally occurring bobtail lines . These appear similar to docked dogs but are a distinct naturally occurring phenotype . </P>

How do you bob a dog's tail