why is docking done?

[misdee]

have been following the stolen puppies on facebook, and noticed that the pups are all docked.

why is that?

i thought it was outdated? but am no expert. i think i thoight that as my friend has two dogs, older one is docked, younger one isnt.

depends

it's lawful for certain breeds for practical reasons (safety) but is a bit contentious

was often done for bizarre cosmetic reasons, probably still is

only dock about a third of the tail for working dogs, not the whole thing obviously

What breed are the dogs? Could be illegal.

Our last dog had his whole tail docked, poor thing.

Though with hindsight, he was such a happy dog, we'd have had holes in the walls if he'd had a full tail!

Quick search and I found this:

Animal Welfare Act 2006 (Scotland) - Docking
As from 30 April 2007 it will be illegal to dock puppies' tails in Scotland (other than for therapeutic reasons) or to travel across borders to have them docked. Regulations pertaining to this law will be approved by April 2007. It is permitted to show docked dogs in Scotland.

Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales) - Docking
As from April 2007 it will be illegal to dock puppies' tails (other than for therapeutic reasons or if a breeder can submit evidence to a Veterinary Surgeon that the dog is of a specified type to be used for work, rescue,
armed forces, police, pest control).

Regulations pertaining to this law approved April 2007 by England and Wales separately. It will not be permissible for docked dogs to be exhibited at shows where the public pay an entrance fee.

After the dates on which the regulations on exemptions came into force, members of the public should report any breeders to their Local Authority/RSPCA whose litters' tails are known to have been removed
without the required certification.

Anyone flouting the law can be prosecuted and fined £20,000, possible imprisonment and be banned from keeping animals (which could mean that other animals in their care could also be confiscated.

No-one should buy a docked puppy without accompanying certification to prove that the dog has had its tail removed legally and it is intended as a working dog under the categories listed in each region's regulations. This Veterinary certificate will be proof that the dog has been docked legally and will be important in prosecution cases. The dog also has to be microchipped with associated certification.

Does anyone know why someone would dock a tail if it wasn't a working dog?

We know our last dog's previous owner had him from a puppy, and he wasn't ever a working dog. He was a pointer cross.

To use the poor dog as a fashion accessory. Obscene.

'The docking of dogs' tails was banned in England from 6 April 2007 and in Wales from 28 March 2007 but with exemptions from the ban for certain working dogs, and for medical treatment. A total ban in Scotland took effect 30 April 2007

There is also a ban on the showing of docked dogs (all dogs docked after the commencement date of 6 April/28 March) at events to which members of the public are admitted on payment of a fee. However, this ban does not apply to dogs shown for the purpose of demonstrating their working ability.

The exemption for working dogs allows a dog that is likely to perform certain specified types of work to have its tail docked by a veterinary surgeon.'

We have a new schnauzer pup. Seeing how much he wags his lovely long tail and how much he plays with it - really makes me sad for all those poor pups that used to have their tails cruelly cut off. Hooray for the ban!

my friend doesnt agree with docking, but that was how her boy came to her.

though it does make it easier for me to tell the dogs apart

friends are minature schnauzers. and yes one has a waggy tail and one wags his little stumpy tail.

"To use the poor dog as a fashion accessory. Obscene."

It's daft, they look better with their whole tails!

I agree, Empusa. I remember seeing a rotweiller (sp?) with a tail a few years ago and was shocked. It was a big, beautiful, curled-upwards thing. And he was wagging it! I'd never seen the breed with a tail before. :(

that stupid thing people still do to Rottweiler ears is baffling too

taping I mean, am not even thinking about cropping

I don't think I've ever seen an "unmodified" rottie, not in real life anyway. :(

i have empusa. ralphie plays with one over the fields. she is gorgeous.

I remember talking to a dog behaviourist about docking, years ago. He said that dogs with docked tails are difficult to read by other dogs who mistake their lack of wagging for hostility and aggression, so the poor things often end up in fights despite the fact that they'd be wagging their tails if they still had them.

Stupid, stupid human vanity!

PIzza Oh that could explain why Archie had such problems being socialised!

a wagging tail can communicate potential aggression though? it means lots of different things

think it is more difficult for owners than other dogs, you can see when tail is at relaxed, happy height, when it is raised (poss trouble) or tucked away - fear etc

Yes, Mitchie, but that's also valuable communication for a dog isn't it? My old dog used to warn young pups away (his eyesight was failing), so a non-waggy tail for anti-social reasons is necessary too.

I mean a "waggy tail of anti-social reasons"

I have seen an unmodified Rottie, Empusa. One of Oldboy's friends. Lovely girl she was, and very unusual at the time with her sweeping tail.

Agree rotties look lovely with a full tail.

poo, my post vanished

was only saying as means of communication it is probably lower on the list after eye contact, stance and that sort of thing - if they can actually see the tail of course

sort of thing I wish I could ask my dog to explain