Dog owners: Tail docking



Ar Scion said:
But there's gotta be a reason tails exist. Balancing, communication and that sort of thing.
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True. Some breeds are said to not be able to function as well with balance without their tail, while others have no problem.

I saw a few Cane Corsos when I would take my pup to this guy's kennel to watch protection training drills, they had docked tails and were fine.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_(dog) Gives some insight. Looks like the US is big hold out considering the origin of some of the traditional cropped breeds.

I used to think it would be weird to see a breed like a Doberman without it's upright ears and cropped tail. But ever since we came to home a Doberman/Lab cross with floppy ears and the typical curled tail of the Doberman I wouldn't have it any other way now. They are beautiful just as they are.
 
If your dog is working in the field then a cropped tail can be a kinder option if it's likely to go crashing through hedges and barbed wire fences regularly. Equally if the dog is used for professional security it needs as few weak points as possible then a tail and big ears are vulnerable. For most people though the dog is a pet and docking is an unnecessary act.
 
bobby_custard said:
If your dog is working in the field then a cropped tail can be a kinder option if it's likely to go crashing through hedges and barbed wire fences regularly. Equally if the dog is used for professional security it needs as few weak points as possible then a tail and big ears are vulnerable. For most people though the dog is a pet and docking is an unnecessary act.
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Exactly right on every point.
 
Ar Scion said:
As far as I know, all the health benefits claims haven't been demonstrated in studies.

In fact, several countries have banned it.

So I ain't buying the story that it'll save dogs from infection. How about spending eight seconds cleaning a dogs ears once in a while?
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No one said it would save from infection. I was merely addressing the claim that it makes infections worse. Also why I mentioned the drops, which is better than potentially deafening your wiggly dog with a q-tip.
 
ShadowCaster said:
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That one can't be true :O
 
turbolapp said:
No one said it would save from infection. I was merely addressing the claim that it makes infections worse. Also why I mentioned the drops, which is better than potentially deafening your wiggly dog with a q-tip.
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Good point.

I've become a little more accepting of cropping and docking the more I talk to people about it.
 
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