what is tail docking exactly?

Answer 1

Removing the tail.

Answer 2

Tail docking is essentially shortening of the tail. The length depends on the breed for showing. It is done at 2-4 days old, before any nerves have developed in the tail, and is done without anesthesia to avoid problems with having a small puppy "going under".

It is argued that it is a cruel practice to dock tails, and docking has been banned in many countries. It is also argued that undocked tails are better for dogs than docked tails and that the practice of docking (and ear cropping) really does have a function.

It's still debated. For now, certain breeds in the AKC still have standards which penalize undocked and uncropped animals.

Answer 3

Tail Docking is cutting off the dog's tail when they are young. It is a very stupid thing to do unless you are going to "SHOW" your dog. There are people that think because your have a certain breed that this operation should be performed even if you dog is a family pet. I had a Boxer as a kid and she had her ears cropped and her tail docked. I am sure you have felt the sting of your pets excitement to see you and swing its tail around and slap you on the leg or brake something. I don't know if this is still a law but in some States you had to have this done if you owned a certain breed. There are crazies out there that think if you don't have this done to your dog and it is suppose to be, according to their standards, that you are violating the standard of the breed of the dog. If a dog is purchased from a private owner and they have not had the tail docked, which is done at birth, they will not sell you the dog unless you have this done and show them proof. They will get a bad reputation if some of the crazies see the dog and find out who the Breeder was and the tail was not docked.

Answer 4

Tails are docked either by ‘banding’ where a ligature is placed over the end of the tail which ‘comes away’ after 3 days, or by cutting off with surgical scissors. Where tails are cut off, stitches may be needed for larger breeds.
The procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic (which would be too dangerous) at between three to five days of age. Complications in docking can lead to the death of the puppy and the tail stump may be painful in later life due to the formation of scar tissue.This is usually done to maintain appearances of certain breeds of dogs. It is a cruel practice,which thank goodness is now banned in the UK, except for certain reasons.

Answer 5

Okay, imagine a rottie, you know, a rottweiler? Okay, now Imagine it with the tail of a labrador retriever. This is how they start out, docking them removes the tail so that all they have left is a stump. That is docking. Also, you've seen a doberman, right? Well, they aren't born with those pointy ears. The floppy part that hangs down in front is also docked. With both of these dogs, if you were to try and show one that hadn't been docked to the "standard", you'd be laughed out of the building! Can you imagine?

Answer 6

For many breeds it is a tradition to dock the tails on dogs. Which is simply when the dog is a puppy they put a very tight rubber band looking thing on the top of a dogs tail. So the rubber band cuts off the circulation to the tail and the dog loses their tail.

Answer 7

Docking is when the cut off the tail...yes I know it sounds realy mean but they are so young they forget the pain very quickly. This is what is writen in the AKC stander for these breeds and with some of them they look really funny if you leave the tail

Answer 8

Removing MOST of their tail, not excactly getting all of just most of it, for a short tail. Tail docking is usually done on puppies when their very young.

Answer 9

Sure brings out the "bleeding-heart-Know-Nothings" doesn't it?

"Docking" is shortening a tail-SURGICALLY. Cropping is for ears.

It is NOT "cruel" or "mean" or "in-humane" or any OTHER "buzz-word" that the AR/peta-nutz types toss out.
Funny...nobody w/these silly predjudices have ever SEEN a docking,let alone DONE DOZENS,have they?

So,it's ALL merely "hearsay",imagination,& rumor-mongering/blathering,isn't it?

Answer 10

Tail docking........to cut off the dogs tail.