Opinions on docking a dog's tail??

Question

I've always been interested to know the general consensus on snipping a dogs tail at birth. My sister has a Rottweiler and when she purchased him as a pup it was illegal to dock any dog's tail, even when it had always been done for traditional purposes. Apparantely now the ban has been lifted and now you can have a dog's tail snipped. My sisters rottweiler is absolutely huge and is extremely uncoordinated when it comes to using his tail...knocks everything over. Is it bad to snip a dog's tail?

Thanks for your opinions so far.

However a point that a few people made which I found interesting and certainly made me look at this from a different perspective...What is the moral difference then with getting your dogs tail docked and getting your son circumsised or getting your daughters ears pierced?

Answer 1

I absolutely support the docking of dog's tails- provided it is done within five days of birth, by a legitimate vet, in a compassionate fashion. Working dogs with longer tails are more susceptible to breaks, infections, cuts, wounds, and discomfort while working. This is why docking is traditionally done, for the safety of the animal. My Jack Russell had her tail docked when she was three days old, and did not suffer for it. If anything, she can dig more easily, climb down holes more easily, and is quicker in her work. I understand why your sister is having trouble. Breeds that have had their tails docked for centuries are suddenly having to adapt to using them again- and not without some difficulty. It is easy for people who are unused to having working dogs to tell you docking is cruel- but in many cases, these people have little idea about it at all.

Answer 2

Your from the UK so having cropped ears is illegal. For tail docking you have to prove to the vets that the dog would be worked. I won't go into what you need cause if you do work dogs you should know what is required. It is the vet who would dock tails at a very young age. Tail docking on dogs for pets or show(cosmetic) is now illegal. For medical reasons then yes the vet will do this at any age. Only the vets can dock tails. I am actually starting to get used a Rotti with a tail and i quite enjoy seeing them wag them..

Answer 3

I don't think there's anything wrong with it as long as it's done by a vet and done within the first couple days of the pup being born. Sure the puppies cry when it happens, but they stop, the pain doesn't last long, and overall I think a lot of breeds are better off having their tails docked than remaining intact. Everyone has their own opinions on things, but just b/c some people think it's wrong doesn't mean that noone should be allowed to have their own opinion and get it docked if they want to. I don't think anyone should be allowed to make a law to ban that or ear cropping or declawing of kittens. Parents take sons to get circumsized and some take daughters to get their ears peirced (when she's only a couple months old, can she decide if she wants that done? no). Please people, I treat my dog like a kid, but she's still a dog with no concern for knocking things off tables and whipping me with her tail, so I'm glad that the breeder had her tail docked.

Answer 4

I'm very much against the docking of dogs tails when it's done to certain breeds for cosmetic reasons.Those that say it's to prevent injury of the tail need to think, would we chop off one of our body parts 'just in case' it gets hurt,I don't think so! I say leave them as nature intended.

OK,so here we go again with the thumbs down! I used to have an English setter until he passed away last year,he was a large dog and not once did he do any damage wagging his tail, people who are more concerned with material possessions getting broken by a wag should think about not having a dog in the first place.

Answer 5

Not a vet around worth his salt would dock a dogs tail if it was over 2-3 days old. The dog could bleed to death !

Answer 6

A lot of large breeds have tails. Have you ever seen a lab or an Irish Wolfhound or a setter or a german shepherd with a docked tail? No, of course not. If he sweeps things off the coffee table, then don't leave anything breakable on the table! His tail should not be docked - especially not as an adult. I know of vets who would refuse to do this type of "cosmetic" surgery strictly for the sake of the owner.

Answer 7

Have you ever watched it done?
This is why it is banned. It is done on puppies without anesthetic in most places. Most breeders have no anesthetic, and most vets who dock tails on very young pups do not knock them out.

It hurts. They scream.

Also, even if it is done carefully there is a chance of leaving a bone fragment in place, or cutting too high and not having enough skin to close the wound.

I know it looks good on some dogs- but the lack of anesthetic really bugs me. I won't do them

Answer 8

I believe it is not nice to dock a dogs tail or ears. I think if they were suppose to have a short tail, then they would have been born that way. They were born with their tale for a reason and most dogs look alot better without having the cosmetic surgery.

Answer 9

I dont think its bad at all. I had a rottweiler who had puppies and I took them to the vet to get them cut. My dad had a rottweiler who didnt have his tail snipped and he was forever having to bandage it because he would bang it hard against everything.

Answer 10

Yes.. I know that a certain breed of dog is supposed to be or have a certain look.. with a tail or with out a tail... but I could never agree that a tail should be cut off.. Why? Just because a terrier is conceived to have a short tail? or a Boxer is conceived to have the look of a dog without a long tail? Sorry but I do not agree with it.