Where did this practice originate and why? Can you give me links to back it up? Just curious...
2007-09-14 09:34:42 · 7 answers · asked by Lisa 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
*EDIT*
Okay, I fully understand they did it for working dogs, to protect them from certain things. But, most of this practice took place years ago and other than on farms I don't know of too many places who actually use these dogs as working dogs...
2007-09-14 10:18:33 · update #1
A lot of it has to do with the "purpose" of a breed.
Most Working breeds will have docked tails to eliminate the possibility of getting it caught while they're going into small places for vermin or in the case of Aussies, like I have, to keep them from getting bit or stepped on by livestock when they're herding.
2007-09-14 09:42:33 · answer #1 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breed Pembroke Welsh Corgi's. All I can tell you is how this breed started docking their tails.
Back when the royal people in England wanted to keep their dogs and the common peoples dogs from breeding with each other, the royals made it a law to have the common people's dogs tails cut off so it was easy to tell the dog belonged to the common folk.
If do find this very amusing as the Queen's dogs happen to be Pembroke Welsh Corgi's, the ones from the common folk.
Docking is done within the first 3 days the pups are born so I sure wouln't be docking a dogs tail if it isn't this age.
2007-09-14 16:52:23 · answer #2 · answered by Suzy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe there are a few different opinions regarding the docking. I have been told that in the UK several centuries ago, that they were taxed on pets but not working dogs. Working dogs had docked tails. I don't know if this is true or not. The OES is 'tailless' as is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Irish Terrier, Airedale Terrier(etc), but then, there are other breeds that work and have tails. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi comes to mind. I did try to track down the beginning of this practice but wasn't able to.
2007-09-14 16:46:24 · answer #3 · answered by gringo4541 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can be linked back to the Roman empire. It is believed to have started to prevent work dogs from getting hurt- for example if it got bit by another animal or got caught on or under something.
Here is a couple of links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_(animals)
http://www.global.net.au/~aegis/taildocking.htm
2007-09-14 16:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by Madison 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs were originally docked to aid them to carry out their purpose which could be shooting,retrieving or working.Dogs tails can get damaged carrying out these tasks.., anda broken tail would require surgery..
2007-09-14 16:47:41 · answer #5 · answered by catherine k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
people dock dogz tail because for there *** wont get infected.. itz safer... it keepz it clean and keepz dirt 4rm getting stuck in there.... yea thatz y i got 2 have my rottweiler puppy tail dock... n it lookz betta u know................
2007-09-14 16:42:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Nope, sorry .
2007-09-14 16:44:42 · answer #7 · answered by vintagemale1951 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋