[Britster]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I never understand the "is it what the dog would want" argument. We make decisions for our dogs in basically every aspect of their life. This is just one more. I bet if left for our dogs to decide, they' opt against half the stuff we do for them. Wonder how many of our pets would agree with our choices to have them put down when WE feel like it's what's best for them...

Well, of course not. Jackson would love to skip out on vet visits... but for example, when he came up limping, the vet gives him something, makes him better. Vaccines... he'd definitely opt to skip out. But it reduces the risk of getting diseases, infections, etc (yes, someone stated vaccines are not 100% effective, but they're pretty darn close). Jackson would also rather be off leash, I'm sure... but I'm reducing his risk of getting hit by a car to nearly zero percent by keeping him on a leash. All of these things have a purpose and a POINT to do to our animals.

But IMO, docking a tail is POINTLESS. Therefore, the issues are non-comparable. Most people that dock tails HAVE admitted in here that's it's purely to uphold a "standard" that HUMANS created. Yes, originally they were working dogs and docking the tail maybe had more of a purpose. But now, I just don't see a purpose whatsoever. The reasons given in this thread are not valid enough reasons for me to see chopping off a dogs tail. Having a docked tail does not improve any vital element of the dog including motor skills or health. So WHY do it? I dunno, I guess I just can't wrap my mind around it....