Well this thread could be published as a book ! Very interesting - all sides.
I had some replies but with my senility these days forgot to who after reading this all
I'm a peon but throw in my 2 cents - I have 2 with docked tails. I love the 'look' personally but also love full tails.
Chanel has a perfect docked tail while my youngest Cheri was done too short but man can it go like a little buzzsaw.....I always wondered how much it hurts and have heard when done properly and within days of birth the pain is minimal (I could NOT watch any of the videos) - but then again - I've never witnessed it so can't be sure.
I do know this - NO ONE who loves dogs would intentionally hurt them. If it caused unbelievable pain - I would think the practice would have ended a long time ago....
'altering' body parts has been practiced by humans for centuries....I think it was Japapese women who would have their feet 'docked' so they'd look 'dainty' .....and after having my own foot surgery - I know for a fact that had to be VERY painful - yet it was done by their own mothers.....look at african tribes and their practices - YIKES - some of the lip rings etc are almost too painful to even look at - yet it's been done for ages...
We all know dogs can't speak for themselves - that's a given - but I've always felt that breeding / labor must be one of the more painful things a female dog will ever experience yet this is accepted all over the world and for good reasons - we love dogs. I know it isn't the same thing - but it IS painful
Docking tails may be banned in parts of the world and it may be un-necessary but it's done ....I would never fault those who are against it just as much as I would never fault those who are for it.
I DO agree that I wish as much passion was put towards stopping Puppy Mills and all the other things that I consider abusive (dogs tied up in yards - living in cages 24/7 or worse..... living OUTDOORS in cages)....Sorry - off the subject but it was brought up a few times) ----- There is so much animal cruelty in the world that seems to never end - and in my opinion only - docking tails docking tails doesn't come close to the cruelty some inflict on animals (I include ALL animals in this statement)
I'm NOT including the jerks who try to do it and really do hurt the puppies -to me that's just wrong and it should only be done by someone who knows exactly what they're doing....but - it's something that's been done over the years. IF it stopped and was totally banned - great - if continued - in my opinion only - I still can't look at it as 'abuse'.
ps Ann - I missed that Mill Raid - IF I had seen it when you posted you KNOW you would have seen all my clapping hand smilies ! That's awesome to read they stepped in again (the aspca)
and ps to some of the newer people - We HAVE had some pretty long puppy mill discussions in the past - This year it does seem the passion is missing on this board but believe me - some of us still have big mouths and DO speak up.
ok - I just wrote a mini-book and didn't mean too ! But the discussion was very interesting - I didn't know about the topknot stuff either ! I thought it was just because they have such long hair and long ago someone decided it was beautiful to keep that long hair on their heads