[kewtee]

We can all agree that it is cruel, but it really is a cultural thing.

Because I would NEVER cut a dogs tail off - it is insane and cruel. But in the states it is very common.
In the old rome older men taught boys about sex and today that would be pedofilia and strictly forbidden.

So removing your dogs vocal cords is a cultural thing. I would never do it, but if it is a precedure that is with minimal risk to the dog I can see why people would do it. We spay our dogs even though it is not needed - because it is too annoying to deal with heat. It is in no way different from removing vocal cords or tails!