To dock or not to dock???

[kezza]

Originally Posted by Gazou

Last summer , I went oversea and saw undocked tail Yorkies at dogshows . I visited a reputable breeder from Germany . Next summer , I'll go and pick up 2 adorable little ones .

yay! for you! and when you do I can't wait to see those adorable waggy tails!

[alisonJ]

I always wonder how people can say docking doesn't hurt? I think they are trying to convince themselves, because the idea of hurting puppies is too difficult to bear. Even if the bones are "soft", aren't there nerves?

I hope docking is eventually banned in the U.S.

[mainegirl]

I think it's really great that we can all discuss this openly and everyone is being respectful even though we may not all agree. It's why we have YT and I sure appreciate hearing all the sides. (but I still would prefer undocked even though I love the docked look )

[kezza]

Originally Posted by mainegirl

I think it's really great that we can all discuss this openly and everyone is being respectful even though we may not all agree. It's why we have YT and I sure appreciate hearing all the sides. (but I still would prefer undocked even though I love the docked look )

Yep...A 'Grown Up' discussion...

[cooperk]

Tail docking should be brought up with AKC. It's a terrible thing to do to dogs...and for what..."a look".

I think it would be like snipping off a pinkie finger. Eeeeks

[cooperk]

Originally Posted by alisonJ

I always wonder how people can say docking doesn't hurt? I think they are trying to convince themselves, because the idea of hurting puppies is too difficult to bear. Even if the bones are "soft", aren't there nerves?

I hope docking is eventually banned in the U.S.

I agree. Perhaps the pain is forgotten, but I can't imagine that it "doesn't hurt".

[kezza]

My opinion is that 'Docking' is a kind word which means Mutilation...

[Gazou]

Originally Posted by kezza

yay! for you! and when you do I can't wait to see those adorable waggy tails!

You can be sure that I'll post pictures of them .

[kezza]

Just another thought..people say working dogs should be docked to prevent tail injuries...Foxes and wild dogs are canine too and seem to survive pretty well with their tails intact..

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by alisonJ

This is very interesting. When I joined YT, I brought up the issue of tail docking. I thought it was unnecessarily cruel. I received a LOT of negative (pro-docking) responses, and I was definitely in the minority at the time.

I knew that the pendulum would swing, because docking was banned in other countries.

Today it looks like there are a lot more YTers in favor of leaving tails intact.

Just my observation.

I might have been one who was posting pro-docking. I have since come to believe it is silly and unnecessary. I remember making the argument that I am glad our US government has more to think about than my dog's tail. Again, I now believe that to be a silly argument (even though it was my own). Unfortunately the government does have to be involved in animal welfare and I am appreciative of every law that is passed that protects animals. My three do have docked tails. Poor little Sugar's tail was all but cut clean off by an ignorant breeder. I think it will eventually turn around in the US as it has in other countries.

[kezza]

Sorry if i do go on a bit..lol..It's just something i feel very passionate about..and i do respect all the views on here.

I was at a barbecue once and took my then very young (he is now 8) Staffordshire Bull Terrier along...some ignorant woman looked at him and said: 'Oh that's what's wrong with it..it's got a Tail' First of all..there is NOTHING wrong with my perfect Staffy and second, Staffies have NEVER been a breed that was docked!!!

[kezza]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

I might have been one who was posting pro-docking. I have since come to believe it is silly and unnecessary. I remember making the argument that I am glad our US government has more to think about than my dog's tail. Again, I now believe that to be a silly argument (even though it was my own). Unfortunately the government does have to be involved in animal welfare and I am appreciative of every law that is passed that protects animals. My three do have docked tails. Poor little Sugar's tail was all but cut clean off by an ignorant breeder. I think it will eventually turn around in the US as it has in other countries.

Heyyy! Nikki!

Good to see your input..

[kezza]

Originally Posted by kezza

Sorry if i do go on a bit..lol..It's just something i feel very passionate about..and i do respect all the views on here.

I was at a barbecue once and took my then very young (he is now 8) Staffordshire Bull Terrier along...some ignorant woman looked at him and said: 'Oh that's what's wrong with it..it's got a Tail' First of all..there is NOTHING wrong with my perfect Staffy and second, Staffies have NEVER been a breed that was docked!!!

Just to add..That woman was lucky that i hadn't had too much to drink otherwise i may have been tempted to 'Dock' her tongue...LOL

[fbmom]

Originally Posted by lilfoot

All I know is when my Zoe had her puppies and we had the tails docked, these little puppies screamed and cried for 2 days....that first night after it was done was Hell here. they cried and cried and Zoe was soooo upset that she could not comfort them...they were definitely crying because they were in pain....I really hope tail docking is banned in the US. You can not tell me that these puppies do not feel it...you are chopping of a part of them that has blood flow and nerve endings.....

If we ever have puppies again, tail docking would not be a choice in this house not after what we witnessed first hand!

that's all I need to know - no docking for me!

[kezza]

So people are saying that it is mainly done for Cosmetic reasons..I'm sure there are some breeds that also have their ears trimmed for cosmetic reasons (will have to look up what breeds they are)..that is surely the same thing imo and i'm sure someone recently posted about someone getting their Yorkies ears pierced and everyone was saying that that was wrong..is that surely not the same thing? all in the name of fashion? whatever makes the dog more pleasing to our eye...