Talking Point: Is Tail Docking of Dogs Cruel?

[GSDOWNER]

Dogs with docked tails are significantly less likely to sustain tail injuries, finds research published in this week’s Veterinary Record. But the overall level of tail injuries is very low,... Read more »Source: DogMagazine.net - the K9 Magazine blog

Talking Point: Is Tail Docking of Dogs Cruel?



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[Nanny Ogg]

My opinion is that it is cruel when done for cosmetic reasons, but I support it if it serves purpose- eg for certain working dogs where the tail becomes liable to injury.

For domestic dogs I question whether it stops dogs being able to use appropriate body language. I've walked 3 dogs with docked tails, and all 3 struggled to communicate effectively with other dogs, frequently misinterpreting friendly gestures as aggressive or threatening.

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by Nanny Ogg

My opinion is that it is cruel when done for cosmetic reasons, but I support it if it serves purpose- eg for certain working dogs where the tail becomes liable to injury.

For domestic dogs I question whether it stops dogs being able to use appropriate body language. I've walked 3 dogs with docked tails, and all 3 struggled to communicate effectively with other dogs, frequently misinterpreting friendly gestures as aggressive or threatening.

I totally agree.

[Tedsmum]

Don't like it, don't agree with it.
It is fashion nothing more.
The old argument that it protects working dogs from injury just doesn't work. Most docked dogs never work and by that logic we should then be removing ears and toes as those too are very likely to sustain injury.
While in veterinary practice I saw countless incidents that were appauling. I saw vets amuptate puppy tails without anaesthetic (20 years ago) in the mistaken opinion that doing it early would not hurt - wrong!
I saw "breeders" who hacked off tails of pups at all ages with kitchen scissors or nail clippers, some of which resulted in a slow and agonising death for the pup.
It is an outdated fashion which should be outlawed.

[LOVEGSD]

I have to say I like dogs to have tails, it's expressive and nice to see imo.

Waggy tails = nice

I've seen some docked tails and there's hardly anything there Even a working springer should have a good amount of tail IMO.

[kelpiemad]

My 1 year old Min Pin Has been docked he is a rescue smuggled in as a puppy and they still dock over there if you catch his tail wrong he cries so I don't think any tails should be docked

[tinkabellswish]

Originally Posted by Nanny Ogg

My opinion is that it is cruel when done for cosmetic reasons, but I support it if it serves purpose- eg for certain working dogs where the tail becomes liable to injury.

For domestic dogs I question whether it stops dogs being able to use appropriate body language. I've walked 3 dogs with docked tails, and all 3 struggled to communicate effectively with other dogs, frequently misinterpreting friendly gestures as aggressive or threatening.

totally agree with you
don't think i could of said this in a better way

[Stuart]

I dont think it is cruel at all, many animals have their tails docked for one reason or another, [ when was the last time you saw a sheep with a long tail ] in the case of our dogs, it is simply down to cosmetic reasons.

I would nerver dream of having any of mine dock though, I think a dog without a tail is like a horse without a mane.

Docking for medical reasons is an entirly different issue