[Wylie's Mom]

3. HEALTH AND WELFARE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH TAIL-DOCKED DOGS

3.1 Hernia and incontinence

Because of the relationship between the muscles in the dog’s tail, back and pelvic area, tail-docking can have
long-term consequences for the functioning of the muscles associated with the rectum, anus and pelvis. Chronic
health problems associated with damage or degeneration of the tail and pelvic muscles include an increased risk
of faecal incontinence, acquired urinary incontinence and perineal hernia (when the rectum, abdominal contents
or pelvic contents break through the muscular wall of the pelvic cavity).

As the tail is essentially an extension of the dog’s back and spine, part of the musculature of the tail is formed
from muscles associated with the functioning of the dog’s hind body as a whole. The dorsal (upper) muscles of
the tail are direct continuations of the musculature of the upper side of the dog’s trunk and their tendons attach
to the tail vertebrae (coccygeal vertebrae). The rectococcygeus and the levator ani muscles are associated with
the perineum (the area surrounding the anal canal and urogenital tract) and also attach to the tail vertebrae.
The rectococcygeus muscle forms part of the hind wall of the dog’s trunk around the anus and the attachment of this muscle on the tail helps to support, anchor and stabilise the anal canal and the rectum. The levator ani
muscle similarly surrounds the genitalia and the rectum and helps to contain the contents of the pelvic cavity.
Both of these muscles also have roles in moving the tail (either up and down and from side to side) and in
movements involved in the process of defecation.9 Tail-docking involves the removal of muscle, tendons and
vertebrae.

Cutting off the tail therefore affects muscles involved in important functions such as defecation and
maintaining the strength of the pelvic musculature. From the mid-1980s onwards it has been suggested that
these muscles may fail to develop properly in a puppy after docking, or may degenerate if an adult dog is docked.
There is evidence that flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, such as the Boxer, which are traditionally tail-docked,
have a predisposition to perineal hernia, and also that the levator ani and coccygeus muscles are not fully
developed in docked Corgis as compared to long-tailed Corgis.

Urinary incontinence (sphincter mechanism incompetence) is related to inadequacy of the pelvic muscles.
Urinary incontinence in bitches has been found to be more common in breeds such as the Old English Sheepdog,
Rottweiler and Doberman (traditionally docked breeds), while there was a reduced risk in the Labrador
Retriever and the German Shepherd (traditionally undocked dogs). The association between tail docking and
acquired urinary incontinence was independent of other factors such as the size of the dog.4,9 In large breeds it
has been estimated that the incidence of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs is as high as 30% and a
1997 review in Veterinary Record concluded that ‘Docking itself appears to be a risk factor’.

3.2 Movement, communication and behaviour

Most animals whose lifestyles require agility have tails; the dog’s tail both supports and stabilises the back
and aids balance in various activities. 4,8

Dogs’ tails (i.e. the tail’s carriage and movement) are very important in communicating the dog’s emotional
state and mood, including friendliness, dominance, submission and antagonism. This applies equally to the dog’s
relationship with people and with other dogs. It is clear that removing the tail deprives a dog of what the British
Veterinary Association refers to as a ‘vital form of canine expression’. Docking can lead to misunderstandings
in social interaction with people and with other dogs, which could have serious consequences. In particular,
children may find it much harder to understand the mood and intentions of a dog whose tail has been removed.4,8
Dogs without tails and those with tails may find it difficult to communicate with each other efficiently and this
could lead to increased aggression.

The pain and distress caused by tail-docking may also negatively affect the socialisation process in puppies.
A 2003 review points out that ‘docking is typically carried out just before the critical formative period of a dog’s
life, in which most of its enduring social skills and behaviours are established. Since the impact of chronic pain
on our own ability to function is unquestioned, the justification for subjecting any dog to this experience needs
careful consideration’.4