I was just wondering, why do people dock tails? Is it only certain breeds that can have there tails docked? If a dog, lets say a rottweiller, is going to be registered does it need its dail docked? How do vets dock tails?

Just some questions I was thinking about.

A lot of it is breed standard. I think some working dogs get them docked so they don't get injured (stepped on etc). Some guard dogs have docked tails mainly to hide the tail wag.

They dock tails pretty early in life - really no later than 4 days (at least at my clinic). We inject marcaine freezing, locate the space between the vertebrae, snip snip and glue.

In the guard dogs, most are docked to prevent a "handle" being available. Ear cropping was started for the same reasons.

Dobermans' tails are thin enough they can fracture them by wagging. Unlike the greyhound breeds, the straight tails on Dobies get a terrible whiplash at full speed.

I've never heard of any docking being done after more than a week. The marcaine is a wonderful development, obviating the need to band them for a couple of hours before cutting.

This is a touchy subject and one that I'm very passionate about, so I hope that everyone knows that I respect their right to do whatever they want, but I may not agree. Hugs to all. :)

I will never dock. I had a poodle, his tail was docked at 4 days of age, we got him at 5 months of age so the deed was already done and frankly, at the age of 11 (that's how old I was when we got him) I didn't even know that poodles were born with long tails.

He had back problems for his entire life. I understand the need for some working dogs, but just because it's a breed standard for show dogs, I don't agree with that. Show dogs do not need their tails docked and many countries now ban docking even for show.

The tail is part of the dogs spine, so you are in fact cutting off a part of the dogs spine.

I just don't agree with this practice at all.

If this is something you're planning on doing, do your research, Google it, read all the articles, because I think you'll be shocked at what you find.

Why do cocker spanials get there tails docked? There not a working dog (are they?) and there also not guard dogs...

And alty, I'm not planning on doing this, I just had some questions. My friends cocker spanial had pups and there tails just got docked and I was wondering what the point was.

Why do cocker spanials get there tails docked? There not a working dog (are they?) and there also not gaurd dogs....

Some hunting breeds have their tails docked for safety and so it won't be in the way of doing their job. Particularly those who worked in brushy terrain.

Why do cocker spanials get there tails docked? There not a working dog (are they?) and there also not gaurd dogs....

Sadly in Canada (I see that's where you're from, same here) that's still the breed standard. If your friend is a breeder then she's most likely docking the tails because her dogs and pups will show better with docked tails.

Some hunting breeds have their tails docked for safety and so it won't be in the way of doing their job. Particularly those who worked in brushy terrain.

Had to spread the rep, but I agree, that is a legit reason to dock. But, unless your dog is going to be used to work in that job, there really is no reason to dock just for show standards. That's my opinion anyway. :)

I agree with you alty, if a dog is going to be a pet, why dock it's tail. Hers are registered so from what I'm reading here, they have to be.

The only real issue is that since they are docked so early, unless you request it, chances are if you buy from a breeder your dogs tail will be docked if it's a breed that generally gets it done.

Granted you can request to not dock the tail of one puppy, but then that eliminates you from getting to 'choose' your pup as it ages and personalities come through if there's only one pup with a natural tail.

Alty, come move to Tasmania with me, it's illegal here :D

This is a touchy subject and one that I'm very passionate about, so I hope that everyone knows that I respect their right to do whatever they want, but I may not agree. Hugs to all. :)

I will never dock. I had a poodle, his tail was docked at 4 days of age, we got him at 5 months of age so the deed was already done and frankly, at the age of 11 (that's how old I was when we got him) I didn't even know that poodles were born with long tails.

He had back problems for his entire life. I understand the need for some working dogs, but just because it's a breed standard for show dogs, I don't agree with that. Show dogs do not need their tails docked and many countries now ban docking even for show.

The tail is part of the dogs spine, so you are in fact cutting off a part of the dogs spine.

I just don't agree with this practice at all.

If this is something you're planning on doing, do your research, google it, read all the articles, because I think you'll be shocked at what you find.


I agree totally. They just passed a law where I live, in Nova-Scotia and tail docking and ear cropping is illegal(also the removal of dew claws). And it was the veteranarians who wanted it to be illegal.(Now if only they could make declawing illegal). I'm glad because my brother was thinking about getting his rottie mix's tail docked. I had told them it was unnecessary, but they wanted the rottie-look. Anyway I think this is really good.

Although I am wondering don't certain dogs need their tails docked for back reasons?

They banned dewclaw removal too?
That's one thing that in some breeds I think should happen. I've seen too many dogs get their back flappy dewclaws caught on things and have to be removed later in life to wish that more people got them taken off when they were pups.

They banned dewclaw removal too??
That's one thing that in some breeds I think should happen. I've seen too many dogs get their back flappy dewclaws caught on things and have to be removed later in life to wish that more people got them taken off when they were pups.

I couldn't understand the banning of the dew-claws either. When we got Rex neutered we got his removed as his nails were really bad for splitting and the vet said it would be a good idea.

I'm not against tail docking at all. I don't even think its cosmetic anymore. Tails have been docked for centuries..

In my breed.. you can actually see the dent in the tail where the tail should be taken off.

Also... I own hunting dogs.. The english pointers who have long tails, in the field, their tails are very motionless. The German Shorthairs, their tails are very active. If they had long tails, the would chase away pray, not to mention hurt themselves.

Some of the dogs that come through rescue don't have their tails docked... Their tails are always bloody and its very hard to clot. Sometimes, the dogs never get rid of their bloody tail tips, which I would think would be painful.

The dew claws have to be removed from my breed because they will break them off. Which I think would be more painful then infant docking.

Ear cropping is a cosemtic thing. And its mostly done in the guard breeds to make them look more fierce. It's a procedure that doesn't have to be done, it's a choice by the owner.

But I have to agree with Sariss on this one.. If you buy from any type of breeder, the tails will more than likely be done.

There is nothing wrong with tail docking as long as its done right. I don't like the idea that Farmer Joe took the butcher knife to young puppies and called it good. And I do see a lot of that.

I just wanted to add, that I heard Canada is now going to ban docking and cropping!

We had a rescue come in last month with dew claws intact, they were scabbed, raw and infected. Poor little bugger. I am not against dew claw removal at all. I think it is a health hazard to keep them intact.

Both my Poodles have had their dew claws removed.

My Crested has his intact.

For large breeds I think it is necessary, smaller breeds not so much.

Ahh good point Shaz! I forget what it's like to have a smaller breed dog.

Hey Rex, I live in NS too!

Both my Poodles have had their dew claws removed.

My Crested has his intact.

For large breeds I think it is necessary, smaller breeds not so much.

I think it also comes down to what is the animal going to be doing and where. If you have an animal that is going to be going through rocky or brushy areas, dew claws can get caught in bad places. If you have an animal that is going to be kept in relatively clear places, then it's not quite the same danger. Unless they get them caught a lot on their 'Mommy's' clothing and jewelry. (yes, I am referencing the people who use dogs as 'fashion accessories'.)

Very true Cat.
I was thinking along the lines of small dogs tend to be watched more closely as they are more 'fragile' but there are quite a few people who take small dogs out camping or bush walking with them.


Altenweg agrees : Packing my bags. I call middle of the bed. ;)
Aurora_Bell agrees : Can I come too? Puhleaaase?
So that's 4 people, 4 bunnies, 1 bird, some fish and 5 dogs we are going to have on the bed.
You still want to be in the middle of that Alty? :D

I bet more than 5 dogs! I have 2, you have 3, and Alty has 2!

Only one of mine sleeps on the bed ;)

He's a pain in the butt, I always wake up with a dead leg lol
Prada has to sleep in a crate because of her incontinence and the puppy... well he's just too evil not to be crated :D

Ok well Max is too old to get up in bed anyway, and Lady is quite happy on her furry rug beside the bed. So that eliminates another 2, and I think only Chewy sleeps in bed with Alty, so there's another one. :D

Very true Cat.
I was thinking along the lines of small dogs tend to be watched more closely as they are more 'fragile' but there are quite a few people who take small dogs out camping or bush walking with them.


So that's 4 people, 4 bunnies, 1 bird, some fish and 5 dogs we are going to have on the bed.
You still wanna be in the middle of that Alty? :D

Why are the fish on the bed? :confused:

Fish need love too, they would feel left out on the floor :D

Like rabbits, they would do much better in the oven.

Like rabbits, they would do much better in the oven.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

ALTY!! CATS NEEDS A WHOOPIN!! i

In EEC docking and ear-clipping is forbidden since 3 years, by law.

Docking has been done over centuries for various and nonsensical reasons. e.g. the Romans, as they thought it prevented rabies. Centuries later in the UK a working dog could be exempted from taxation and for identification it was docked. Since then it grew into a tradition with working dogs. When dog shows commenced, breed standards were set up and the docking of the tails became built into the standards for many of the working breeds (although none of the UK Hound breeds are docked). Breeders created clubs and agreed their own standards for that breed which were rubber stamped by the Kennel Club(s). They are from time to time modified. Nowadays there is a distinction between "working" dogs for legislation and those who fall into the category for showing. Cropping was banned by the Kennel Club in the UK in the early 19th century as the then Prince of Wales disliked the practice and was himself a dog fancier. Many countries have now banned docking (and cropping) and some have also banned the showing or importing of docked dogs.
Most docking has been done for "cosmetic" purposes and Show breeders preferred the outline it created. Some who are involved with field sports claim that docking is done for prophylactic reasons in working dogs i.e. to prevent a possible injury. However all the scientific evidence to date disproves this theory and of course the act of docking itself causes an injury in the first place; one that the dog may never have had in its life time. The evidence is that more working dogs suffer from lameness or other injury than they do to tails (but no-one opts for legs to be removed at birth!)

I would have to disagree with you.

I own sporting dogs. They require tails to be docked. If their tails are not docked, they hurt themselves. They have very active tails and bust open the ends of their tails all the time. In the field, they typically work in low brush.. because of their active tails, they would flush out all the birds before the hunter even got there...

My breed is centuries old... the tails were docked for working purposes.

Tail docking can be cruel if done on your own. Seeing the professionals who know what they're doing is perfectly fine with me.

All I have to say is I'm for tail docking. Maybe not ear cropping, but I see no harm in tail docking. I've had 5 litters get their tails docked, and trust me, they don't remember a thing and live long happy lives with no side effects to the docked tails. I don't think government should ban tail docking. There are so many more important issues out there that are related to the well being of animals that aren't even being addressed. I think the stop of animal cruelty should be priority... not tail docking.

Not to mention the fact that it feels like a horse whip when they get happy.

I'm on the fence. I keep teedering back and forth.

I'm on the fence. I keep teedering back and forth.

A Boxer tail can fix that. Those are weapons.

ADA, I notice you discount guard dogs in your reasoning. Is this an oversight?

I see you also overlooked the Swedish German Shorthaired Pointer Clubs' data on the 51% rise in tail injuries in that breed in the three years following the 1959 ban.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says more study is needed, but it likely won't be performed due to unpopularity.

Edit: Pardon the typo, the Swedish ban was '89

Anyone here ever owned a Great Dane?

They are not a docked breed yet they hurt their tails and they are used for hunting.

If docking really were because hunting/working dogs hurt themselves ALL working and hunting breeds should be docked... not just a few select ones.

My neighbours used to have a rottie without it's tail docked. Do rotties "need" there tails docked, like the sport dogs who injure them and such, or are rotties tails docked because there guard dogs and it gives less to hang on to?

My neighbours used to have a rottie without it's tail docked. Do rotties "need" there tails docked, like the sport dogs who injure them and such, or are rotties tails docked because there gaurd dogs and it gives less to hang on to?

Rottweilers are one of the Guard breeds, like Doberman Pinschers and Boxers.

My neighbours used to have a rottie without it's tail docked. Do rotties "need" there tails docked, like the sport dogs who injure them and such, or are rotties tails docked because there gaurd dogs and it gives less to hang on to?

Only if they are specifically being used as a guard dog.

Pets have no reason to be docked.

(Sorry Cats)

Only if they are specifically being used as a guard dog.

Pets have no reason to be docked.

(Sorry Cats)

No apologies necessary. I was speaking in general terms. There really aren't enough Guard breeds to form a Group yet, but we keep trying. Other Guard breeds would include Chows, Mastiffs of various breeds, Akitas, and even Schnausers. Just as the Herding dogs were split out of the Working group a short time ago, I have hopes to see a Guard group in my lifetime.

Chows are a guard dog? Never would have figured, everywhere around here its either huskies, rotties, or the occasional pit bull.

Its too hard to determine which puppy is going to be a pet or a working dog. Typically, breeders don't breed for pets. They breed for their next show dog. The pups that don't make the cut typically are sold to other breeders or show people. The few dogs that make the pet cut are already docked.

I just think this is an unnecessary argument that countries are enforcing. Ppl should be more concerened about over breeding and animal abuse. And I also don't think government shouldn't dictate how a breed should look. It should be the breeders choice.

But that's my opinion :)

Chows are a guard dog? Never would have figured, everywhere around here its either huskies, rotties, or the occasional pit bull.

The Foo dogs of Tibet that guard the oldest temples on the planet. The Tibetan Spaniel people will argue the point, but the temple carvings I've seen photos of show Chows.

Chow chows are mean!

Actually, they're a one person dog. Rarely are they good family pets. Very protective and bite-y, unless of coarse properly socialized.

Weren't they used for big game hunting in china?

Chow chows are mean!

Actually, they're a one person dog. Rarely are they good family pets. Very protective and bite-y, unless of coarse properly socialized.

Weren't they used for big game hunting in china ??

Mongolia, actually. The breed originated on the Steppes.

What about the Akita? They were bred for killing... weren't they? :confused:

I've actually never seen or met one before.

What about the Akita? They were bred for killing... weren't they? :confused:

I've actually never seen or met one before.

American Akitas really were bred to guard, as compared to the Japanese Akita-Inu.

Here's an interesting site about Guard Breeds

Guard Dog Breeds (Top Guard Dogs) (http://caninebreeds.bulldoginformation.com/guardian-dogs.html)

Cool site!

What about the Akita? They were bred for killing... weren't they? :confused:

I've actually never seen or met one before.

Weren't they bred to kill bears? Or was this another breed...

Ya, I couldn't remember if that's what I heard or not. But now that you say it, that's what I heard they were bred for.

Lol, wait, what did I jusy say?

Ya, I couldn't remember if that's what I heard or not. But now that you say it, that's what I heard they were bred for.

This is what you just said :)