To characterize veterinary surgeons' preferences in diagnostic, surgical, and postoperative management of cranial cruciate ligament ruptures in dogs, 175 surgeons, including American College of Veterinary Surgeons diplomates, surgery specialty-practice veterinarians, university surgeons, and surgery residents, were surveyed. Their experience with stifle surgery was evenly distributed from 1 to > 21 years. Approximately 70% (118/175) of surgeons treated 3 to 9 dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture each month. In diagnosis, 98% (172/175) of the surgeons used a cranial drawer test with the stifle joint at 140 degrees of flexion. Stifle radiography was performed by 53% (93/175) of surgeons for acute and by 81% (141/175) of surgeons for chronic cases. In repair of cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, 32% (56/175) of surgeons did not use intra-articular procedures, whereas 8% (14/175) of surgeons did not use extra-articular procedures. Surgical preferences depended on dog size (P < 0.05). For small dogs (ie, < 11 kg), 80% (140/175) of surgeons used extra-articular methods, and 14% (24/175) used intra-articular methods. For medium dogs (ie, 11 to 29 kg), 52% (91/175) of surgeons used extra-articular and 43% (75/175) used intra-articular methods. For large dogs (ie, > 29 kg), surgeons' preferences depended on the injury's duration (P < 0.05). For large dogs with acute injuries, 39% (68/175) preferred extra-articular and 55% (96/175) preferred intra-articular, whereas in chronic cases, 52% (91/175) preferred extra-articular and 42% (73/175) preferred intra-articular. The most common extra-articular method was placement of a suture from the lateral fabella to a hole drilled in the tibial tuberosity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)