Tail Docking

[mollymurphy]

Hi there, we have to give a presentation after Easter about a controversial animal-related subject. We've decided on tail docking.

We've looked into which breeds are traditionally docked, but come across a few inconsistancies. The Kennel Club says 'working dogs' are docked (eg. spaniels, jrt's, etc.), but what about border collies, fox hounds, labs, retrievers, etc? And why are boxers, dobermans, rotties docked when they're not working animals (or are they, and i'm just being thick?!)

Also, if there's anyone out there who has tail docked their own dogs / been present when a vet has done it, i'd really appreciate your views on it - we need to discuss both sides of the story. Feel free to PM me.

Many thanks.

Lou. x

 

[GinaB]

Replied in Hunting Forum

 

[ladylisa]

My weimeraner bitch had a litter of pups last may, i took her 7 pups at 3 days old to be docked and dew claws removed, having never seen this done before it was a shock at how it was done, but the docking wasnt the part that the pups screamed at, it was the dew claws that was the worst!

I was so glad that this year i wouldn't have to do it again when she has a litter, but on the other hand they dont look as good with long tails, i know that it is not a good enough reason to dock, just for vanity!
In a few years long tails will just be normal instead of looking out of place.

 

[Tia]

[ QUOTE ]
they dont look as good with long tails

[/ QUOTE ]

You know it's funny you should say this....because I think the opposite. I absolutely love to see Rottweilers, Boxers, Weimaraners, Spaniels, JRT's etc with long tails.

My Springer has a long tail and I think it is devine.

 

[milor]

In the early 1800's a dog tax was introduced in this country - the only dogs exempt from this were working dogs and to show they were exempt they had to have their tails docked - this is why many of the Terrier and Gundog group have docked tails - later on some guarding breeds were produced such as the Doberman, Boxer etc- it was considered that a docked tail added to the intimidating look of the dog ( as did cropped ears and this practice still goes on in the States and some other countries ).

There is no real valid reason for docking to continue apart from tradition and there are now so many inconsistencies (e.g smooth haired Weimeraners docked, long haired Weims left undocked

) that a ban was inevitable. Some would argue that tail docking prevents injury when the dog is working in thick cover yet no other part of the dog is routinely removed as a preventative measure - I don't know what the statistics are but I'd be willing to bet that more ears and paws get injured out in the field than tails

 

[echodomino]

I watched my last litter of JRTs being done and they were more bothered about being picked up. It was so quick.

Granted Rotties and Dobes have too short a tail, I think they look awful with full tails - but then that's my preference and not a major reason to dock.

I think that they should have left it alone, those who agree do it those who don't, don't do it. It's rediculous the restrictions they put on, they should have left it be or completely stopped it.

You can dock if your dogs are proven to be working dogs but then you can't show - where does that leave working/show dogs?? And if your dog is a show dog and isn't docked, if it has an injury and has to be docked through surgery you can no longer show it!

We had a GWP who had a full tail when we bought him and he sustained an injury to it. It healed but kept re-opening, so as a 2yr old he had to be put under and have it operated on (removed) . Now had he been docked as a 3 day old puppy it would have been less for him to go through and he probably wouldn't have sustained the injury.

They're all too quick to ban tail docking but they're leaving dew claw removal - which IMO is a far worse procedure!

 

[milor]

Breeds such as Geat Danes and Dalmatians regularly split their tails - yet no one requires routine docking of these breeds why ? - because they are not 'traditionally' docked ?. Removal of dew claws is somehwat different as these will ciontinue growing in many cases and embed themselves in the dogs fore legs - however I agree that their removal IS painful - I've only ever had to do it once as most of the pups in my breed are born without dew claws - but I was left in no doubt that the pup suffered considerable pain. I cannot believe that taking off tails is any less painful.

The bottom line is ...can we continue to justify chopping bits off our dogs in the name of tradition or fashion - I'm afraid that I would vote a resounding YES to the docking ban - and about time too

 

[fox111]

i agree dew claws are far worst to remove, i think tail docking isn't a bad thing. My friends auntie is a top judge a crufts and I agree with her if farmers can use rubber bands to remove lambs tails why not dogs????????

I might be wrong but do retrievers keep theirs tails because of swimming??