Discussions

I never really took notice as to how many breeds of dogs get docked tails which I think is awful, why can't people just accept them as they are, humans are always interfering . I wonder who's brain wave starting doing it ?

Seriously?? A lot of working class dogs have their tails docked. Would you want a 1500 pound cow biting it while your dog is herding? Years and years ago dogs were bred to work. Herd, pull carts to market etc and tails get in the way so they were docked. It's also a breed standard for a lot of different breeds. It's usually done at a certain age and done humanely.

I can understand the need for docking in a breed that is intended to be a working dog. It is a safety reason. But for the most part manipulation of our doggie parts today is to meet strict conformation standards for that breed. Actually Europe and I'm not sure about Canada yet has banned docking, ear cropping etc of dog breeds. They are going with the natural look. I read that a lot of breeders of show dogs in the US still prefer the manipulated look.  
IMO if the dog is just a pet and not intended as a working dog where safety is a concern then docking should not be done. Let them wag in peace!!

J85 said "Seriously?? A lot of working class dogs have their tails docked. Would you want a 1500 pound cow biting it while your dog is herding? Years and years ago dogs were bred to work. Herd, pull carts to market etc and tails get in the way so they were docked. It's also a breed standard for a lot of different breeds. It's usually done at a certain age and done humanely. "

seriously do cows bit dogs tails ?

Yeah they can. Some cows are quite docile but if they feel threatened they can be quite dangerous. Also - you wouldn't want a tail being stepped on either. Herding dogs have to get quite low to the ground when they herd and sometimes have to get quite close to the hooves to get them to move.

Canada has not banned the cropping of dog ears as a whole Country. Each Province has its own laws in regards to cropping ears.

It can't be a big concern about working dogs and docking tails anymore cause collies, boarder collies, Maremmas and Great Pyrenees and I'm sure I missed some are super popular working dogs who have never had docked tails so I find that a dumb excuse! The reason people do it still today is purely cosmetic and it shouldn't happen anymore.

For several reasons I prefer to have dogs with docked tails. I raise cocker spaniels and I have pups' tails docked at 3 days of age. My vet says that the nerves in the tail aren't completely developed at that age and it doesn't cause much discomfort. I have been present at all times when this has been done and I believe him. Very little, if any, distress to the pups. This vet won't do the docking after a week of age, but he has told me that he would much prefer to dock a newborn than have to amputate a tail after an accident..which happens more often than one would think.  
 
Anyway, I don't expect anyone to change their thinking on this, just as I probably won't change mine, BUT, just curious..those of you who are against docking....how many of you have had boy babies circumcised ant believe that is okay??

Cappie said "For several reasons I prefer to have dogs with docked tails. I raise cocker spaniels and I have pups' tails docked at 3 days of age. My vet says that the nerves in the tail aren't completely developed at that age and it doesn't cause much discomfort. I have been present at all times when this has been done and I believe him. Very little, if any, distress to the pups. This vet won't do the docking after a week of age, but he has told me that he would much prefer to dock a newborn than have to amputate a tail after an accident..which happens more often than one would think.     Anyway, I don't expect anyone to change their thinking on this, just as I probably won't change mine, BUT, just curious..those of you who are against docking....how many of you have had boy babies circumcised ant believe that is okay?? "

dogs tails are nice looking .boy things not

Rue said "    Cappie said "For several reasons I prefer to have dogs with docked tails. I raise cocker spaniels and I have pups' tails docked at 3 days of age. My vet says that the nerves in the tail aren't completely developed at that age and it doesn't cause much discomfort. I have been present at all times when this has been done and I believe him. Very little, if any, distress to the pups. This vet won't do the docking after a week of age, but he has told me that he would much prefer to dock a newborn than have to amputate a tail after an accident..which happens more often than one would think.     Anyway, I don't expect anyone to change their thinking on this, just as I probably won't change mine, BUT, just curious..those of you who are against docking....how many of you have had boy babies circumcised ant believe that is okay?? " dogs tails are nice looking .boy things not "

So that would be your personal preference and therefore none of my business....works for me.

A big reason you shouldn't dock a dogs tail is for animal socialization. Dogs read each other's body language, which is why a tail is important. How a dog is using his tail tells other dogs if it is or isn't safe to approach. Are they wagging and happy? Is it tucked between their lags so they might be nervous or shy or is it up high and still because it's threatened? It's a safety issues for you and your pets. We also read that body language! It's cosmetic I don't see it any other way all dogs have tails there is a reason just like our body's are the way they are for a reason. We could break our arm someday lots of people do so should we remove them just incase? No cause that's rediculas we need our arms. So I don't see why you would do it to a dog. Yeah accidents happen but it could just as easily be a leg injury do we start lopping those off? No again it's a stupid idea so why do some people think docking isn't rediculas? I had a boxer rottie didn't dock her tail it hurt like hell when she hit you with it but shockingly we both survived just fine having the tail around! Yeah she could have broken her tail but she didn't so why would we cut it off incase of an accident it just sounds stupid really.

Blame the breeders not the owners. I have a Rottie and could have cared less if he had a docked tail or not. There was not one Rottie puppy to be found that wasn't docked.

Definitely no judgement on the owner it's unrealistic to think they did it or had the option. Vets do it when they are super young before they are ready to go to homes. I've had 3 pure rotties with a docked tail wasn't my choice but I'm not about not get it because they are docked. I just think that it's a practice that shouldn't still be done. Dogs are born with tails for a reason it's how they tell others how they feel it's for communication.

Rue said "    J85 said "Seriously?? A lot of working class dogs have their tails docked. Would you want a 1500 pound cow biting it while your dog is herding? Years and years ago dogs were bred to work. Herd, pull carts to market etc and tails get in the way so they were docked. It's also a breed standard for a lot of different breeds. It's usually done at a certain age and done humanely. " seriously do cows bit dogs tails ? "

There was a video on facebook caught of a usually docile cow attacking and chasing off a bear. Cows can get super mean when they have offspring and yes can bite.

Well it's not obviously a big concern for the farmers with live stock guardian dogs since they don't have docked tails. It's mainly Rottweilers and Dobermans and a few other breeds who are not live stock dogs. So this whole cows can be mean stance doesn't really work as a reason.