Boxer needs a docked tail!!!

Little_Chicken

DKLS wrote: »

To offer some defense to the OP, some dogs do look better with a docked tail and dare I say it and in some breeds like Dobermanns, Boxers & Great Danes they look even better with the trimmed ears so they stand up as well as a docked tail. But I couldnt put a dog through that so would never choose one of those breeds.

Some dogs 'look better' get real:mad: Some people would look better with smaller noses/ears/feet - maybe we should start docking those:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Little_Chicken

SoggyMoggy wrote: »

Surely this is a wind-up? I notice the OP hasn't been back since, just posted and ran knowing what an emotive subject this would be?

I think the breeds that were customarily docked look fabulous with a waving flag where previously there was a useless stump. And on a personal note, I've always thought boxers were ugly enough without having to see what they had for breakfast too!

:T :T :T :T

creamcheese

I've got a rescued Rottweiler who still has her tail. It is very expressive and I can't imagine her without it. She also looks a lot less butch and scary with a big waggy tail!

I agree that tail-docking is cruel and out-dated, but honestly don't think the Kennel Club help with this. Yes, they may now say what is "acceptable" for an undocked tail, but all the pictures of commonly docked dogs still show images of dogs with their tails docked. Surely if the docking is now not acceptable, these pictures should be changed to reflect that and the dogs with full tails should be the norm.

Sorry if this has turned into a bit of a rant against the Kennel Club, but the descriptions of what is "acceptable" for dogs makes me feel uncomfortable and slightly repulsed. What's wrong with all the cross-breeds and "unacceptable" dogs that aren't over-bred to be "just right" and therefore have less of the health problems associated with over-breeding?

Rant over!

SiuLoong

creamcheese wrote: »

I've got a rescued Rottweiler who still has her tail. It is very expressive and I can't imagine her without it. She also looks a lot less butch and scary with a big waggy tail!

I agree that tail-docking is cruel and out-dated, but honestly don't think the Kennel Club help with this. Yes, they may now say what is "acceptable" for an undocked tail, but all the pictures of commonly docked dogs still show images of dogs with their tails docked. Surely if the docking is now not acceptable, these pictures should be changed to reflect that and the dogs with full tails should be the norm.

Sorry if this has turned into a bit of a rant against the Kennel Club, but the descriptions of what is "acceptable" for dogs makes me feel uncomfortable and slightly repulsed. What's wrong with all the cross-breeds and "unacceptable" dogs that aren't over-bred to be "just right" and therefore have less of the health problems associated with over-breeding?

Rant over!

I completely agree with you, but just to add that dogs docked after the ban came into force (April 2007) cannot be shown at any show where the spectators have to pay to enter (most notably Crufts) so regardless of what they deem acceptable, in a few years time when no dog will have been able to have been legally docked by virtue of its age it ceases to be a case of acceptable.

creamcheese

SiuLoong wrote: »

I completely agree with you, but just to add that dogs docked after the ban came into force (April 2007) cannot be shown at any show where the spectators have to pay to enter (most notably Crufts) so regardless of what they deem acceptable, in a few years time when no dog will have been able to have been legally docked by virtue of its age it ceases to be a case of acceptable.

I know what you mean. However, it seems wrong that the KC are still, in a way, supporting docked tails as their images of "acceptable" standards still show dogs with docked tails. So many people seem to think having a KC registered dog is everything, when far too often the dogs suffer as a result.

As an amusing aside, it's taken me ages to type this as my hound was wagging my laptop keyboard! I think she's had enough of me being on the computer and wants some attention!! :rotfl:

DKLS

Little_Chicken wrote: »

Some dogs 'look better' get real:mad: Some people would look better with smaller noses/ears/feet - maybe we should start docking those:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I wont get real just because its a sensitive subject to some, If you read my post I'm not advocating the use of docking, but admiring the style created in america in certain breeds by docking, and you have a good idea there: human docking would be a good thing, there are some truly !!!!!! people out there.

midwife_twinkie

wow bet TAN thinks what a plonker she must look now! just like a poor dog that has had its tail mutilated!!!!

smileypigface

greenmoneysaver wrote: »

DKLS - it is just fashion!


In my opinion I would cut spaniel ears to stand up, as they all have such bad ear problems, this would help the air flow and keep them healthy! A "mutilation", but one that WOULD help health issues!

I have a different opinion - as a Springer Spaniel owner - a responsible owner should ensure that their dog receives appropriate attention to prevent ear problems - their ears are vital to their ability to "scent" and it is that very "design" that makes them so good at it.

It is my responsibility as an owner to make sure my dog is healthy and happy - I can look after his ears (cleaning and grooming etc) and his general wellbeing (diet, exercise and attention etc) - but in order to prevent a very common injury to the tail I would have to prevent him from following his natural instinct to run through all sorts of scrubland whilst working in the field. For this reason our Springer is three-quarter docked (carried out by a vet following all the latest regulations) - it potentially will save him from pain and distress and allows him to fully enjoy following his natural instincts in the field.

Just my opinion - not intending to criticise anyone else for theirs.

Debt_Free_Chick

I have a working English Springer Spaniel and support tail docking - in certain circumstances and up to a point.

Docking does not usually result in complete removal of the tail - it's intended to shorten the tail, only. In my case, my Springer's tail was docked by one-third. He still has a very proud and waggy "flag". Indeed, a flag is highly desirable in working Springers so you can see where the little [strike]sod [/strike] dog is when he's working in thick undergrowth.

Springers, in particular, are tireless workers and once on the scent of a wounded bird will not stop until they retrieve it and return it to Mum. It's what they're bred to do. But they are so obsessed with their job that they simply go through brambles and prickly undergrowth (blackthorn and hawthorn being the most common and most lethal) wagging their tails back and forth and bashing them against the needle like thorns. I HAVE seen dogs with damaged tails and it's not something I'd wish on anyone else. Imagine a dog's tail that's been put through a food processor and you start to get the picture.

Of course - docked tails can be damaged too. Docking simply reduces the risk of damage in working dogs, but doesn't completely eliminate it (the tail, or the risk ).

I don't support docking for purely cosmetic reasons - the law, however, is right. Docking is banned for cosmetic reasons but allowed in certain breeds where the dog is bred for the purpose of working it.

Prevention is better than cure. Not to dock a working dog with a high risk of damage to the tail, is more cruel than docking it. To allow a working dog to go through the pain, damage and suffering of an undocked battered tail is unquestionably cruel and the owner should be prosecuted for it. Breeders of working dogs will dock tails anyway, no matter what you want as it's done when the pup is only days old. And if you want an undocked tail, they probably wouldn't even sell a pup to you as they would consider you an unsuitable owner.

Please .... look at both sides of the story. If you Google, you'll find plenty of images of working dogs with undocked tails ..... damaged almost beyond recognition. To learn about the case in favour of docking, in certain breeds and in certain circumstances, start with the Council of Docked Breeds.

In the meantime, here's my little fella, complete with his docked tail

Debt_Free_Chick

smileypigface wrote: »

I have a different opinion - as a Springer Spaniel owner - a responsible owner should ensure that their dog receives appropriate attention to prevent ear problems - their ears are vital to their ability to "scent" and it is that very "design" that makes them so good at it.

:T

I was typing as you posted ....