As part of the review of the 1999 policy, which began more than 18 months ago, the committee and the Animal Welfare Division searched the scientific literature for evidence showing cosmetic ear crops of dogs have therapeutic effects. That search revealed that justifications for the procedures lacked substantial scientific support, with the exception of some suggestive, but inconclusive, data related to German Shorthaired Pointers before and after a docking ban in Sweden, Dr. Golab said. Interestingly, among the similar German Shorthaired Pointer, German Longhaired Pointer, and Pointer, only the German Shorthaired Pointer's tail is traditionally docked. The committee was also unable to identify unconfounded evidence supporting the benefits of ear cropping, she added.