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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  I too think we should support breed clubs...but I can't support them blindly; I honestly feel the breed clubs should be LEADING the way toward not docking. Instead, it sometimes feels like breed clubs are closed doors in terms of even looking at the issue with an open mind...that really, really bothers me; in fact, it chips away at my trust in breed clubs in general  (to be very honest). So, where does that leave people like me who are truly interested in this issue? Pretty much on their own, or with others who are feeling similarly and want to openly discuss it - without being chastised by *some* breeders who *don't* want us discussing it (please note - I said *some* - stress SOME  - and only SOME! Not all!).
No one wants to make it harder for reputable breeders to breed; I'm not sure how discussing this would make it harder for them breed. They can't expect us to not discuss things only bc there is a chance it may make things difficult for them. I'm not sure that's exactly what you meant though, but that's kinda how I read it.
I respect your feelings about using the word amputation, and I'm sure others feel that way too. To me though, there is no such thing as "docking" a body part. When you cut off part of a body part or shorten a body part, you're amputating it. Docking does make it sound better though. I just feel more comfortable when we call it what it really is...maybe that's the nurse in me; I couldn't tell a patient we were "docking" their leg and feel okay about describing it that way...that wouldn't sit right with me. Maybe that's odd that I feel this way, but that's me.
It's a sensitive issue all around, but I'm glad we're discussing it bc I think it's important to people on all sides. Lots of good food for thought. I hope I didn't say anything offensive here, Nanc - you know I always appreciate your opinion even when we come at it from different angles .
(Btw, I don't see it as just 'docking the skinny tip'...it's more than 3/4 of the tail, at least. When I compare Wylie and Marcel's tail w/ Pfeiffer's full tail, it's wayyy more than a skinny tip that is cut off, imho) |
In science, there’s something called the status quo bias, in other words, it’s better to keep things as they are then change something is until we are sure it’s superior. Most scientific testing is based upon this, and I fully support it. I do agree though, we should never support anything blindly, but before we make decisions we should understand both sides of the argument. I think we forget that there is nothing “natural” about dog breeds, the Yorkie would never developed in the “real world”. Breeders have picked and chosen which traits should be in the Yorkshire terrier and eliminated other traits, they’ve never had to think much about breeding for tail, except “where” it sat, they didn’t have to take thickness or length into consideration. If we outlaw docking, breeders would start breeding for a thicker tail, but even that simple suggestion would have repercussions, we would be limiting the gene pool again, and this could disastrous have effects. I totally agree with you, breed clubs should be heading this effort, not pet owners, but only because breeders understand the full extent of the problem. Some commercial breeders are interested in banning docking but it’s probably because it will save them money, I doubt if they care about the best interests of the dog. As I said before, I really don’t know the answer to this question, I think it’s much more complicated than some seem to think.
Regarding the skinny tip I think you're right, some do take much more than that. Ann, I hope you know I appreciate your opinion too.
If I made the rules, they would just dock the skinny tip!