Docking Tails (dogs- want your oppinon).

[gaited horse]

can you peaple ever stay on a topic lol

 

[Verboten]

I thought the discussion has generally been on topic and have found it to be thought provoking. + I like the pictures.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

How many breeds dock?

Affenpinscher
Airedale
Australian Shepherd
Australian Terrier
Black Russian Terrier
Border Terrier
Boston Terrier
Bouvier de Flandres
Boxer
Brittany
Brussels Griffon
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Doberman Pinscher
English Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
German Pinscher
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Old English Sheepdog
Parson or Jack Russell
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Poodle
Rottweiler
Schipperke
Sealyham Terrier
Silky Terrier
Smooth Fox Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Spinone Italiano
Standard Schnauzer
Sussex Spaniel
Swedish Vallhund
Tibetan Terrier
Toy Fox Terrier
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier
Wire Haired Pointing Griffon
Yorkshire Terrier

From the AKC site, so I apologize if I missed any (obviously doesn't include any non-AKC breeds). Almost more breeds are docked than are not. I personally own Pembroke Welsh Corgis, my last two have been natural bobs. My current corgi, Willow came from a litter of 7, with 5 natural bobs. Still, if I put her in a show ring, she would probably be penalized because her 'bob' isn't as clean. My other corgi was 're-cut' even though she was a natural bob, to conform with the show ring presence. Still, I think breeding for natural bobs is great!

However, I have done dewclaws and corgi tails over the years and really don't find it offensive. It isn't traumatic to the puppies. I don't think I am 'seriously disturbed or need help.' I care very much for my animals. But it is a personal choice at this juncture, so do what works for you. Doing ears is a totally different scenario and I really would like to see less of that. I helped a friend with her Dobie puppies on way to many occasions, and no matter how loving and caring she was about her dogs, I just couldn't see putting my puppies through that. (She never sold her puppies until after their ears were done & pretty well healed because often pet owners don't take proper care of them.)

As to the contract, great idea. Just keep it simple. As someone else already said, they are normally only as enforceable as the people you sell your puppies to. I've been giving back 'spay/neuter' refunds for YEARS. Used to be $100, but now it's $150. Makes it almost a no-brainer for the pet owner to go get it done ... most of the cost is covered. Offer good to one year, no breeding prior to spay/neuter. I might recommend a vet, but not require it. I don't care how much you like your vet, but I would personally only take my animals to a vet I was comfortable with. Besides, not all your puppies will be sold to within 50 miles of your home, so it would be a hardship on some.

 

[jacyjones]

That is a very long list of breeds that are docked. I still feel that for working purposes to prevent the dog from injury that can result in amputation then docking is a good idea. If it is done for the look then no. As for ears - I can never see that there is justification for that!!

 

[ninjapoodles]

Quote:
Aside from two that were given to friends/family over the years, I can honestly say that NONE of my puppies has been sold within 50 miles of my home. All the more reason to be super-careful.

 

[rebecca10782]

Quote:
Ditto. I wish people would think of an animals well being instead of their need for a "stylish" dog. I am sure I'm going to receive lots of not so nice responses for my next comment but I feel very strongly about this kind of thing. If someone can actually pick up a knife and chop off a new born's tail with out anesthesia, hear that cry and not feel any remorse, they are seriously disturbed and should get help.

So are you saying that castrating dogs, cats, pigs, cattle, horses, goats, sheep, etc., is inhumane? After all it is altering the animal and usually by cutting. All these animals squeal, bleat, cry out, etc., when they undergo this. How about tagging the ears on cattle and other livestock? Or even branding, which is in most areas the only legal proof that you have of owning a particular cow? All of these procedures cause the animal to cry out and the people involved in doing them are definitely NOT disturbed and do NOT need help. It is just a matter of course and a means to an end.

Yes I think castrating animals without anesthetic is sick. I know that factory farms castrate pigs without it (I am not going to get started on that subject). Fixing animals is necessary to keep them from overbreeding. This is done for there overall well being. They don't feel it when it is done in a humane way (surjury). Putting them through surjury just so we can alter the way they look is not kind. As for my opinion on tagging ears and branding...well I could go on about this all day. So I will say this, I am a vegan. I don't believe in killing animals or using them for our personal gain. So, I think you can guess what my thoughts are on that subject. Just one question for you. Would you have a problem if someone castrated you without anesthetic?

 

[mom'sfolly]

I find it interesting that every docked breed listed is a working breed. I suspect that the original reasons for docking were based on the work the animals did and how a tail would interfer or become injured. I was even told once that show labs are docked, to maximize the rudder shape of the tail....I don't know if this is true since all our labs were bred or cross bred for hunting. By the way, a lab/chesapeake cross really likes water!

 

[rebbetzin]

mom'sfolly :

I find it interesting that every docked breed listed is a working breed. I suspect that the original reasons for docking were based on the work the animals did and how a tail would interfer or become injured. I was even told once that show labs are docked, to maximize the rudder shape of the tail....I don't know if this is true since all our labs were bred or cross bred for hunting. By the way, a lab/chesapeake cross really likes water!

I have not read all the previous posts, so I don't know if this fact was mentioned. I remember reading about working dogs in England were not taxed if they had no tails. That was the reasoning for the tail docking of the Old English Sheepdog.​

 

[chickypoo]

Our Brittany has a docked tail, she doesn't seem upset about it. I don't really mind, docked or normal. My only issue with it is if the procedure is not done in a humane way (yes there are humane ways to do it) like people who take a pair or scissors to their pup's ears to shape them.

My big docking problem is with horses, their tails are needed for chasing flies away. IMHO docking a horse's tail is down right mean.

 

[jacyjones]

Quote:
I am in full agreement there. I know when horses are working and in harness the tail can get caught up - however I have always felt that to tie it out of the way gets round that. I like to see horses with a full tail and only trimmed to keep them out of the mud. My mare has sweet itch and although she wears protection her tail still plays its part in keeping her sane!!!