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Originally Posted by gemy  Seriously you mean as human thumbs ? The research article written by a vet for the Royal Vet Society of England (which I will find later) stated this but did not say it was an exact replica of a human thumb hence the "like" statement. I will find that for you when I don't have to sneak time on YT on a busy Saturday with the family..lol With flexion extension, opposition and full rotary movement? Wow with two dogs with dew claws I have never seen that! sarcasm = noted and humor shared 
What I have learnt is that dew claws on sharp turns act as an extra balancing aid to tortional twisting movements. then without rotary ability this is acknowledgement that it is functional and shouldn't be removed in the event it MAY be damaged on SOME dogs - thank you
In terms of the appendix : Scientists Finally Discover The Function of the Human Appendix : Political Blind Spot
I am reminded of a quote :"that what we know of the human body and its functions, is far surpassed by what *we don't know*| I would agree this is correct and extend this to all species
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We also don't do ovariohysterecomy on 6mth old female humans. or castrate male humans at 6mths old. Although for certain groups of humans not too far back maybe 50-60 years ago it was done on young adult humans....
Dogs are a part of the animal kingdom. Their physiology is different to humans in ways, we only partially know and in particular the implications of that difference. Not to mention how their brain works, although research is coming along on that front. I work in cognitive neuropsychology and we extrapolate a lot of research findings from primates, canines and felines to humans. A lot more is known than what is shared or can be understood by lay people but I am always happy to share what is theorized or believed to be known to date with anyone. Just let me know!!
There are a few breeds that are borne with naturally short tails. I kind of wonder if a long tail is so necessary for communication, why did nature evolve a short tail on those breeds? Correct, some breeds have evolved with short tails. Not the YT. That is my point. We cannot generalize on the basis that SOME dogs are working dogs so YT's must have their tails docked. That is illogical.
Our canines today, and the wonderfull diversity of the pure bred dogs, that the public can choose from, are from the selected breedings that humans many years ago decided to do! We mayhap have interfered with Nature. Or maybe Nature intended us to interfere. Who knows? Not I nor you. Nature does not intend for us to interfere......we make that choice and then we live with either the betterment or the detriment that results. But, making choices on behalf of others due to our preference, I think, is wrong. Otherwise, let me insist that in my profession we research how to manipulate your mind to make you not want to do things I prefer for you to not do and say that nature intended it to be so by giving me the knowledge, thus the ability, to do so.
My decision as a breeder to dock or not a tail, will be first and foremost done on *all the health factors* involved. Should I be given that choice and not mandated by law to do what-ever the law says. Thankfully I live in a province where it is still breeders choice. And this goes with dew claw removal as well. |
Gemy, thank you. You always offer such comprehensive rebuttal and it really is nice to see that you put so much thought into your replies.
For my part, I have yet to see the benefit to the YT, specifically in tail docking.
In fairness, two main arguments have come to light:
1. Dogs may have their tails injured
2. We like it this way - it is not illegal - so it continues
Both arguments are invalid for the reasons I (and others) have previously stated, in my opinion.
And, although I do not agree with the reasons given to validate this practice, I respect that choice as long as you have been given the freedom to choose.
However, I resent that the choice has been removed from the dogs. Maybe, in time, I will event a brain machine that reads their thoughts and they can let us know what they prefer if we bother to ask.
Doctorate - here I come!
Have a great weekend everyone!