docking

[Moomin1]

An honest acceptance that there may be times when the practice may, or will save future suffering. Well done.

As a possible matter of interest, spaniels specifically, express themselves through their rudders! That may sound daft to you, but the active and balanced spaniel, which is working, has an action which a full tail movement would restrict.

Tail Docking and Ear Cropping, can, in other instances be considered to be needless, and so could be thought of as simply for aesthetics, or even worse, as traditional. I accept that too.

It should be remembered that a new born puppy, is actually only partially formed. They have partially formed eyes, there ligaments and bones are soft and are mostly of a substance more like gristle than bone or sinew, and even though some may consider the practice to be one of vanity, as the suffering doesn't appear to be any more than when the bitch picks up her pups, and she grips their scruffs with her teeth, so they shriek, then my honest opinion is that the degree of suffering is minimal.

I'll finish by saying that I'm not a barbarian, that I care about all my dogs, and that I would NEVER condone needless cruelty.

Alec.

It comes of no surprise that you seem to support tail docking.

 

[Alec Swan]

It comes of no surprise that you seem to support tail docking.

I've supported my argument with logic, would you care to do the same? Would you care to explore and explain the flaws in my case? Would you be able to explain to others where I'm wrong, in a manner other than chapter and verse from a charity?

Alec.

 

[Moomin1]

I've supported my argument with logic, would you care to do the same? Would you care to explore and explain the flaws in my case? Would you be able to explain to others where I'm wrong, in a manner other than chapter and verse from a charity?

Alec.

No I wouldn't Alec. Because quite simply, you are ALWAYS right. You are the Oracle.

 

[CL66]

I have 2 gsps. One from working stock and legally docked with all relevant paperwork. The other from show stock undocked. Neither have problems, the docked tail is very expressive! I think it's a shame u can't show docked to higher levels (ie big paid shows) as their tails are SO whippy it'd be a nightmare to work them without injury. I don't get it-it's done legally-what's the problem?!?

 

[Alec Swan]

No I wouldn't Alec. Because quite simply, you are ALWAYS right. You are the Oracle.

Finally, you've accepted reason. See? I said that you could, if you tried. Don't thank me, it's a freely offered and a willingly supplied service.

Alec.

ps, I manage it all with a degree of modesty, too. I hope that you're impressed. a.

 

[E13]

You mentioned ear cropping, Alec - I had no idea what that was, had to google! Is that considered cruel? What is the general view on that?

 

[Alec Swan]

You mentioned ear cropping, Alec - I had no idea what that was, had to google! Is that considered cruel? What is the general view on that?

Even though I think that some dogs with cropped ears actually look very smart, I see the practice as being of no use or practical purpose, to either the dog or man. For that reason, I wouldn't have anything to do with it. I would never alter the shape of any part of any dog, because of my own sense of vanity.

Each to their own, as they say!!

Alec.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Finally, you've accepted reason. See? I said that you could, if you tried. Don't thank me, it's a freely offered and a willingly supplied service.

Alec.

ps, I manage it all with a degree of modesty, too. I hope that you're impressed. a.

LOL that made me chuckle...as was perhaps the intention

 

[PucciNPoni]

I've had breed which require docking (and were docked) and never saw them suffer any communication break downs with other dogs or amongst themselves. They still had tails, just not very long ones.

I have a breed now which traditionally was docked, but as a non working breed (min poodle) he is not docked. I sometimes worry about the end of his tail because it IS a tiny skinny whip of a thing, which moves like a speeding propeller at times. If it hits the wall or a door edge, I do worry he'll cause injury to himself. However, I feel the risk is fairly minimal, and I can grow hair on it to pad it out a bit.

I think now that docking is not done on your usual pet dogs any longer it has become far more taboo than it was before the "ban".