Why aren't hounds docked?

[mollymurphy]

Hi there, I've put this in the 'dogs' section too, but was thinking hound people may be on here. Hope that's ok.

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? They run through the bushes too. 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

 

[Fairynuff]

I used to help a neighbour dock her cocker pups.It was done within a few hours of birth with a pair of blunt scissors, some but not all, would give a squeek as it was done. The tail ends were dipped in disinfectent and the pups put back with the bitch.End of story-no blood and guts to it. Ear clipping is not on and thank goodness thats been banned in Europe. Mairi.

 

[GinaB]

Rotties, dobes etc are now basically docked as it is a 'look' people go for. Previously they were used as working dogs hence the tails being docked originally.

I think the likes of labs, retrievers etc 'use' the tail more than the likes of a spaniel. There is a huge thread on tail docking in Latest News section which will give lots of info.

My mini schnauzer is docked. It is illegal in N Ireland so her breeder took the pups down to Eire to get it done. If I'd the choice, I wouldn't have had it done as I don' thtink it's necessary on a dog that doesn't work.

 

[mollymurphy]

There is a huge thread on tail docking in Latest News section which will give lots of info.

Thank you, that's really useful! I've just hunted it down and favourited (?!) it. :grin:

I personnally dont see the point of docking, but have never had any experience with working dogs who 'need' to be docked, so cant really comment. Does look a bit painful at the time though!

Wonder how much it will still go on after the new law comes into england? Hmmmm.....

Lou. x x

 

[GinaB]

I agree with it for worknig dogs, but not for vanity reasons.

 

[Thistle]

Spaniels work in a different way to labs when shooting. The Spaniel is much more likely to push into the cover and through brambles, therefore more likely to catch and injure its tail.

 

[severnmiles]

A foxhound doesn't use its tail in the same way as a spaniel, spaniels can suffer nasty and painful injuries when working through thick cover.

 

[k9h]

Here is a website that I think you will find very informative
http://www.cdb.org/matty.htm

Also there is a video clip of pups being docked by bands which is the way that lambs are done.
http://www.cdb.org/video.htm

This website will explain better for you than I can!!
Spaniels generally look like they are on speed! They never stop, the tail just wags & wags where as a labs doesn't or a Hounds.

 

[mollymurphy]

Thank you k9h, the links are brill! Thought it would be difficult getting evidence of 'pros' for docking, but apparently not! And it's opened my eyes a bit too!

Thanks again. x Lou x

 

[Horse_mad07]

What you have to remember is both sides want to show the extreams of docking. To be honest its very rare for puppies to be docked using bands so i dont think this video is very honest and also the pain comes later as the tail starts to die and drop off, think how your finger feels if you put a tight elastic band on to it?

Also even if docking is done as well as possible the dogs suffer nerve damage which can effect them there whole lives.

If there really is a risk to working dogs (ive been around many and never seen a problem) why not just put some kind of tail bandage on while working to protect it? we put boots, bandages and tail guards on our horses to protect them why not our dogs?

 

[echodomino]

Because it wouldn't stay on a dog. How many horses do you see out hunting going through undergrowth and bramble patches? Not many - on purpose any way

I don't know of any dogs who have suffered nerve damage after being docked.

I've already put this on another thread but: I watched my last litter of JRTs being done, having decided I'd have them done I figured I ought to be there. To be honest they made more fuss when they were picked up, once settled they made no noise even when their tails were done. It's that quick and the tails are dipped into something (can't remember the name of it) and that stops any bleeding or infection.

It's done when the pups are up to 3 days old, the tails are still cartlidge then and not bone. I find removal of dew claws a far worse process and yet no one is making a fuss over that.

I've also had a dog without a docked tail and it got injured and had to be removed at a later date, had he been done as a pup it wouldn't have caused a problem and he wouldn't have had to under anesthetic (sp?)

 

[wilder]

i can see both sides on this we have rotties and the dad rottie is docked, and yes he looks like a "proper rottie" we then had to hand rear 14 pups as their mum died within 24hrs and i refused to have these docked as i didn,t want to lose any through this and to be quite honest rotties with tails look complete and i don,t think now i would ever buy a docked one
and it was amazing how many people actually thought rotties were born without a tail