why do we dock dogs tails?

Answer 1

to stop them from getting in the way, working dogs tails are normally docked so that the do not get in the way and are not a distraction

Answer 2

Docking has always been purely cosmetic, but hard nosed workingmen don't like to admit that so they make up reasons why its done, like it somehow makes it easier to pull your dog out a hole by cutting off the end of its tail.
We used to trim dogs ears for the same reason; docking and ear clipping just make the dog look neater and sharper in appearance, less sloppy.
I've even heard handlers say that you dock Rottwellers and Dobermans in case the burglar grabe them by the tail...
Sometimes in kennels dogs can damage thair tails when they wag them, tails get caught in doors and broken. So sometimes tails have to be removed. Otherwise in the UK routine docking and ear clipping is illegal, as is de-barking.
The dogs tail is built a bit like your finger. If docking is done by a competant person at the right age it is not as painful to the pup as you'd think; believe it or not their central nervous system hasn't fully developed at that age. It heals fast and they soon forget. But if it is done badly it looks terrible, can heal badly and can become infected. It can cause endless problems with adult dogs, thay have trouble communicating. The tail is used like a flag, carried up or down or waving and each position means something. If the other dog isn't getting the correct signal it can cause a breakdown in communication.

Answer 3

we don't anymore! its now banned unless the dog is proven to be used as a working dog or has had a major accident meaning the tail has to be amputated.
This ban was brought in this year, as docking is now considered mutilation. Docked dogs are now no longer allowed to compete at crufts. It's good the government have finally done something positive.

Answer 4

Some dogs like boxers have their tails docked because they can be mad and while playing the tail can keep getting broken so its sometimes best to have it docked

Answer 5

In short for a number of reasons:

1. to protect the tail of hunting dogs which split
2. to provide a more practical length for terriers hunting down warrens
2. in old English sheepdogs to prove they were working dogs and therefore not taxable (there used to be a very old tax in the UK on pets)
3. to protect dogs in kennels (you will find a lot of tail 'amputation' done in RSPCA centres)
4. cosmetic purposes

In the UK it is not yet illegal to dock (The Animal Welfare Bill has a final stage to pass through), but only qualified vets are allowed to carry out the docking:

"In 1991, the UK government amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act, thereby prohibiting the docking of dog's tails by lay persons. Now, only qualified registered veterinary surgeons are, by law, allowed to dock."

The main problem with traditionally docked breeds is that if their tails were left intact, they would be very likely to injure them as breeders haven't needed to concentrate on breeding for strong tails.

Modern day dog breeds have been selectively bred by us and therefore there are NO biological reasoning for them to have ears or tails of a particular shape or size other than the way we chose to breed them.

Answer 6

This is a brutally cruel thing to do to a dog! Docking tails and trimming ears to size have been illegal in Switzerland and other civilized countries for years! There are good biological and physiological reasons why each dog has a tail and ears of a particular shape and size. Anyone who condones or practices these vile operations (yes, you too, vets, particularly you!) is guilty of premeditated and, therefore, especially reprehensible, cruelty to animals. Shame, shame on you!

Answer 7

We do it in America because it's part of the AKC "Breed Standard". There is absolutely no reason to continue this practice otherwise. And if you're not actually showing your dog, who cares what the breed standard is. It's a stupid practice. I think if the dogs tail didn't serve a purpose, it would have long since been removed by mother nature. There are breeds of both dogs & cats who have evolved as tailless, but this is generally a mutation. Tail docking is not nearly as despicable as ear cropping. There is absolutely no reason to crop a dogs ears other than to make them look mean and nasty. Personally, I think boxers and doberman pinschers look adorable with their floppy ears. And they're just as protective with their cute looks as they are with the mean ones.

Answer 8

for fashion i think it's a stupid idea hunting dogs had their tails docked so they wouldn't get in the way but i have a beagle and her tail never gets in the way when she is hunting. i think docking tails is cruel i also think docking the ears is unnecessary and mean why can;t people be happy with the way their dog looks?

Answer 9

a dogs tail is a sensitive area which can be very easily damaged. it is traditionally done in hunting & fighting breeds to reduce injury which could easily occur when going up & down holes & in brambles etc. terriers always have a stump left, the idea being that when they go down a hole the huntsman can pull them out again by the stump of the tail.
docking should always be done when the puppy is very tiny as this way the stump heals more quickly & the puppy apparently doesn't feel any pain
docking is illegal in the uk "unless for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons".

Answer 10

Why do people who have absolutely NO KNOWLEGE of a subject post an answer ? Why would anybody expect to get correct information from such folks?
Tail docking is NOT "mean to poor wittle doggie-woggies". If anyone had any actual experience w/the process,they'd know better. But it's much more fun to be all squeamish/fuzzy-wuzzy/pink-cotton-candy-minded,isn't it?