Docking animal tails

[Raven]

Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail or ears. While docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel. The tail is amputated at the dock.



Me and my mum have been arguing about this. She thinks that dogs tails should be docked (for example a Rotweiller) I see no reason for a tail to be docked, And I have only just read about the cropping of ears

and quite frankly I am appauled that someone could do that!



This is banned and restricted in many countries.



What do you think?

 

[Jazzy]

Depends on the breed and if it's a show dog or not. My female Miniature Pinscher is a show dog and at birth had her tail docked and ears cropped. My male Miniature Pinscher is not a show dog and only had his tail docked at birth. The American Kennel Association has just recently allowed certain breeds need not be docked and ears cropped to enter competition. Since the AKC recently has deemed this unnecessary and cruel it is now up to the owners of show dogs to either have this done or not. Uncropped/docked pure breeds, however, do not do well against the cropped/docked. Why? They are judged on many factors including appearence. An uncropped/docked Miniature Pinscher does not look as eye appealing to the judges.



Cropped and docked Miniature Pinscher

Uncropped and undocked Miniature Pinscher

IMO, it's up to the owner of these show dogs to rebel and the AKC needs to look at the quality of the dog being shown. It's cruel and not necessary.

 

[The Dragon Master]

I think it's animal cruelty. My Scooby's tail was docked by a man, before we got him, and now he doesn't like men. He's bit my stepfather several times.



There's no reason for it other than fashion... Which is stupid. No benefit to the dog at all.

 

[beowulf]

its just not necessary .................i really think it effects the character of the dog...........my Fudge just wouldnt have been as cute without his tail

 

[Jazzy]

Unfortunately the mentality of people buying pure breeds is different. They are shoveling out a lot of money for a dog that they want people to recognize for the breed. As the pictures I posted above clearly show, there is a big difference in appearance of the uncropped/undocked Miniature Pinscher. If they pay (for example) $1,000 for a pure breed Miniature Pinscher, they want it to look like one and not just any other dog. It's that mentality that causes breeders to continue the cruel act of docking and cropping.

 

[The Dragon Master]

The uncropped and undocked one looks much more cuter.

 

[Geoffrey]

Some animals, if their ears are not docked, will have ear problems for their whole lives. I see no problem with it for that reason. If the ear or tail is being sold or used for something else similar to that, that's not right in my opinion.

 

[Bea Sunny (:]

I think is not necessary...I have two dogs and I don't want to be ducked or cropped. They are so cute with tail.

I really love dogs and i think it's an animal cruelty.

 

[Raven]

I think here in England, A dog is rejected entry into shows if the tail or ears are cropped.

 

[Jazzy]

@Fullmoon: you are 100% correct. A dog which has been docked after 6th April 2007 cannot be shown at shows in England.

Link: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/1014



This, however, is not the case here in the US:



To be eligible to compete, a dog must:



be individually registered with the American Kennel Club

be 6 months of age or older

be a breed for which classes are offered at a show

meet any eligibility requirements in the written standard for its breed

Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show, because the purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock.

Link: http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/beginners.cfm