Docking Tails (dogs- want your oppinon).

[Hobbley_Farm]

I do not think that tales should be docked (unless for medical reasons) I do not think ears should be clipped (again, unless for medical reasons). Dew claws I understand because they get caught and ripped off (see? A medical reason) But it is a personal choice. Just like the great debate over whether or not to pierce ears in baby girls or wait till they are older...

 

[kyle7630]

Quote:
Not so true on the Pitbulls. I have been apart of this wonderful breed for many years(going on two decades), and through my years of research I can tell you that the fighting dogs of the old days kept their ears long as do 99% of the ones you see being confiscated from fighting operations today. Simple reason. They would rather give their opponent an ear to bite and hold than any other vital body part. It was mor a matter of preferance than anything else .I, in no way, support or advocate dog fighting. Just stating what I know to be true.

 

[kyle7630]

I would say if you are breeding to a show standard, do what the standard calls for. I you are breeding for you. The BYC community opinion shouldn't matter anyway. Do what suits your needs from the dog.

 

[WriterofWords]

The way I see it God made them with tails, they are born with tails, leave the tails alone. If they are born without tails, fine, that is meant to be. Standards be darned.

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Same for Baby boys. (kinda)

 

[rebecca10782]

 

[SittinPretty]

I have 4 dogs and they all have docked tails. They would look very weird with tails. I have 2 pembroke corgies and 2 poodles. I am used to seeing show standard dogs, and to me they just do not look right without their tails docked. But that is just my personal opinion. Ears I like natural, but some dogs of breeds that are usually cropped look funky with natural ears. A friend has a schnauzer with natural ears and they stick out and make her look very weird.

 

[barbara4rb]

Maybe someone has already posted these comments about tail docking.... we have an Australian Cattle Dog (aka heeler) and her tail was docked at 1 day old. Theory is that heelers don't need their tails because cows step on them. BUT the ACD folks tell you that dogs use their tails as a rudder helping them balance when they turn quickly.

Secondly, our heeler's rear-end scent gland (was using the a word, but it gets edited to picky) ruptured a few years ago. It was terribly impacted. We routinely do all the dogs' l glands (2-3x/year) (or the vet does). You need a tail to hold up to do this task. We have had no luck expressing the glands on our tail-less heeler. Poor girl, I'm sure that hurt when her gland ruptured. She's never been a booty-scooter either and I suspect it's because she doesn't have a tail.

 

[Wildsky]

booty-scooter!!!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
This is some really, really sensible logic. I'm pondering our different experiences with dewclaw injuries, too, since your dogs almost certainly "work" more than mine. Mine play hard, and a few have hunted, but none have done the rough work that is SAR.

I wonder if it has to do with how low-set or high-set the front dewclaws are? Because when I read that part of your post, it occurred to me that in the dogs I've had with dewclaw issues, the dewclaws have been on the low side. (It's an easy thing to notice in poodles, since we shave the feet/ankles regularly.) I had one standard whose left front dewclaw was repeatedly torn. It would grow back, each time gnarlier and more misshapen than the last. Once healed, it didn't cause him any pain, but it would invariably get injured again.

And I HAVE seen front dewclaws "gripping" big meaty bones...they don't seem to be able to do a lot, but you can definitely see them flexing and functioning. Come to think of it, that's the only time I've seen them in use! I love everything about watching dogs work over big, meaty bones...the muscles all the way down both sides of their spines to their tails get a workout!

another meaty bone feeder! YAY TO YOU!

I agree it's awesome, esp the neckworkout they get! Dont see that when only eating kibble. (i feed kibble, but suppliment--can't relaly afford to go full what i'd like) LOL!

I was beginning to think this was an ACD thing. Spook has her dewclaws and I swear she uses them like thumbs when it comes to eatting those meaty bone or trying to hold on to a treat ball and get those goodies out!