Banning Tail Docking...

[Gypsy & Me]

After reading a post on the poll for docked tails I would what everyone elses opinions were on this subject...

Do you think Tail Docking should be banned or not?

Last year the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the UK banned the docking of tails, unless done by a Vet before the puppy's eyes are open. They are not the only country to have this law in affect... but what is your opinion?

Originally Posted by Dogs Trust Website

Tail docking began hundreds of years ago when people had a very different attitude to dogs and ’animal welfare’ was unheard of. Docking is thought to have been (mostly mistakenly) used for the following reasons; to increase a dog’s speed, prevention of damage in dog fights, prevention of back injury, rabies prevention and even tax evasion!
These days, the main reasons given for keeping docking are:

To avoid tail damage
Reasons of hygiene
To maintain breed standards

Those were the main reasons for keeping docking, however, the pro-dockers don’t tell you the negative aspects of docking:

Docking removes a very valuable tool for communication. We dogs use our tails to tell each other how we’re feeling. We use different positions and movement to let others know if we’re happy, excited, scared, not sure, a bit grumpy or that we may attack. If we meet a docked dog in the park and we can’t tell what they’re going to do, some of us may well launch an attack just to be on the safe side! That’s not very fair on a perfectly friendly docked dog, who must be awfully confused as to why others keep beating him up and may even lead to him becoming aggressive on meeting other dogs or people as a way to defend himself.
Docking is associated with perineal hernias. Dogs without tails may have weaker muscles around the anus and are therefore more likely to develop hernias. These hernias can lead to constipation, straining and difficulty in passing poop, which of course can be very uncomfortable and distressing. Sometimes the bladder becomes trapped in the hernia, causing severe problems which may become life-threatening.

Docking is associated with urinary incontinence in bitches. The muscles that help control urination in female dogs, attach to the tail base. These may become weakened or damaged in docked dogs, leading to an increased likelihood of urinary incontinence. Although most dogs don’t realise they are doing it and don’t become distressed, it can lead to unhappy, fed-up owners deciding to rehome or even destroy their otherwise happy and healthy dogs.

Tails are docked either by ‘banding’ where a ligature is placed over the end of the tail which ‘comes away’ after 3 days, or by cutting off with surgical scissors. Where tails are cut off, stitches may be needed for larger breeds.

The procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic (which would be too dangerous) at between three to five days of age. Complications in docking can lead to the death of the puppy and the tail stump may be painful in later life due to the formation of scar tissue.

[Rhapsody]

I understand it's considered the standard, but I'd like to definately see more Yorkies with tails. I love all my babies,of course, but Rhapsody's tail has a personality all itself.

[MarilynMonroe]

yay for the tails! and they way they were born!

[Mommy of Brandi]

it's kinda hard to vote or discuss something when you don't know what it is you're voting for [

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by Mommy of Brandi

it's kinda hard to vote or discuss something when you don't know what it is you're voting for [

How do you mean?

[Mardelin]

Banning tail docking in European countries as created another problem. An increase of yorkies with broken tails.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Banning tail docking in European countries as created another problem. An increase of yorkies with broken tails.

Out of interest, where did you read that? I just searched and couldn't find anything about that, I'd be interested to it...

[lisatodd]

i have read an article that hound dogs, bird dogs, hunting dogs will be next to have their tails docked. they are very prone to injuries to their tails do to the nature of their breed (being in woods). since there is little blood going through their tails to heal the wound quickly, infection sets in.

another thing to consider, when you take docking away (usa), there will be many people docking themselves, who have NO experience, which will lead to infections and some death.

although some may consider it wrong, i personally love the docked tails. i do not like the look w the tails (sorry you gals who have tails) this is just what i perfer.

[lisatodd]

this is not yorkshire terriers but a study done long ago regarding tail injuries....
very interesting

FREQUENCY OF TAIL INJURIES
During the autumn of 1990, when the dogs were between 12 and eighteen months old, we received replies to our interview investigation regarding 44 litters. The investigation included 299 individual dogs (142 dogs and 157 bitches). It then became apparent that tail injuries had occurred in 23 of these litters. 81 individual dogs had suffered from tail injuries. This compared to approximately 27% of the whole investigated group. Dogs were somewhat more affected than bitches.

In the autumn of 1991, the same dogs were now 24 to 30 months old. This time we received replies from 26 litters. To make it more true, we picked out these 26 litters from the 1990 investigation, and collated the material separately. We were then able to compare the changes within the same group between 1990 and 1991.

In 1990, the group of 26 litters consisted of 191 individuals. In 1991, 179 of these were still alive. Of the 26 litters, 16 had received tail injuries in 1990 and 23 litters in 1991. In 1990, we found 72 individuals with tail injuries, corresponding to 38% of the group. In 1991 the number of tail injured individuals had increased to 92, corresponding to 51% of the group. The number of tail injured dogs had increased by more than 30%.

It could now be established that the male dog had received somewhat more injuries. If one were to transfer the above increase of 30% of tail injuries into the larger investigation group, the 44 litters from the 1990 investigation, we would end up with an increase in frequency of tail injuries from 27% in 1990 to 35% in 1991.

OCCURRING TYPES OF TAIL INJURY
The kind of tail injuries which occurred during 1990 and 1991 respectively were on the whole the same.

Bleeding and damaged tail tips, the last 10cms of the tail. Light, medium and severe injuries. On occasion it has been very difficult for the injuries to heal.
Infected and inflamed tails.
Lameness injuries and so called water tails.
Broken tails.
SEVERITY OF TAIL INJURY
The tail injuries were graded as light, medium or severe, for each individual dog in 1990 and 1991. It was established how the tail injuries had changed between the two years:

15 had improved
37 were unchanged
47 were worse
The degree of severity appears to be linked to:

[LauraMichelle]

I personally have NO problems with tail docking. I have had all my Rotties, Boxers and Yorkies tails done. I see this movement as an Animal Rights activists agenda, which is ridiculous. I see tail docking as necessary as circumcision on a baby boy. Basically long term benefits out weigh momentary pain.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by lisatodd

i have read an article that hound dogs, bird dogs, hunting dogs will be next to have their tails docked. they are very prone to injuries to their tails do to the nature of their breed (being in woods). since there is little blood going through their tails to heal the wound quickly, infection sets in.

another thing to consider, when you take docking away (usa), there will be many people docking themselves, who have NO experience, which will lead to infections and some death.

although some may consider it wrong, i personally love the docked tails. i do not like the look w the tails (sorry you gals who have tails) this is just what i perfer.

Working dogs are exempt from the docking ban over here and docking can only be done by a vet, if a puppy is brought into the vets with a docked tail the owner faces prosecution unless they can prove it was done by a qualified vet.

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Banning tail docking in European countries as created another problem. An increase of yorkies with broken tails.

I vote not to ban I think they are docked for good reason. I do think docked or not they are Beautiful but I thing that their tails break way to easy.

[lisatodd]

i think my point is an injured tail takes a very long time to heal if at all. these numbers are after two years of injury....

15 had improved
37 were unchanged
47 were worse

[Marcellacml]

my chihuahua has a broken tail

[JESSY_RN2B]

I fell in love with the YT of today.....I prefer it docked.