While most of us have heard that certain breeds of dogs have their tails or ears “docked” or “cropped”, there is much confusion about why this practice is still in use today. After all, is this really necessary? In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the reasons why breeders choose to cut off dogs’ tails and why this decision is made. Through research and discussion with experts in the field, we will explore the history behind the practice, the pros and cons of tail docking, and the current regulations in place for this procedure. We will also address some of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding this procedure and the need for it in certain cases. By the end of the post, you will have a better understanding of why breeders cut off dogs’ tails and the ethical considerations that come with it.
It’s the look of the thing…
As a result, over the years, some breeds of dogs had their tails docked. People developed an appreciation for these breeds’ aesthetics and came to believe that having a docked tail gave them the “right” appearance. Breeders and exhibitors at shows are under pressure to dock their dogs’ tails because of “breed standards” for many of these working dogs. As a result, the practice persisted under the influence of kennel clubs both locally and internationally. And the idea that having a dog’s tail docked helps to prevent accidents when it’s working
Regarding the justification for tail docking working dogs to prevent injury, we must keep in mind that historically, a “working dog” may have participated in bear baiting, bull baiting, and fighting. These kinds of activities may have carried a fairly high risk of tail injury. Therefore, docking the tail may be a more sensible precaution to take. In the case of dog fighting, it is obvious that these unlawful activities should not continue to be practiced.
A: Some breeds may have their tails docked because their non-working members are thought to face risks similar to those of working dogs, but more often than not, it’s done to adhere to a particular breed standard or appearance. According to survey results, it is unnecessary to preventatively dock the tails of pet dogs. Therefore, unless there is proof to the contrary, tail docking of non-working dogs is regarded as a cosmetic procedure, even if their breed was originally developed for working purposes. The breed standards of traditionally docked breeds have been modified in nations like the United Kingdom where tail docking is illegal (with a few exceptions). 22.
1. Podberscek AL, Paul AS, Serpell J. Companion Animals and Us: Exploring the Relationships Between People and Pets. Cambridge University Press, 2000; 307. 2. Fleming. The wanton mutilation of animals. The Nineteenth Century, a Monthly Report, 1895;37:440. 3. Drury WD. British Dogs, Their Points, Selection, and Show Preparation. L.U. Gill: London. 1903. p. 165 4. Hallock C. The Sportsmans Gazetteer and General Guide. Forest and Stream: New York. 1877. p. 456. 5. Shields G. The American Book of the Dog. Rand, McNally: Chicago. 1891 6. almer, RM. All about Airedales: A Book of General Information Valuable to Dog Lovers and Owners, Breeders and Fanciers, Illustrated from Selected Photographs of Noted Dogs and Rare Scenes. The Airedale Terrier Reviewed. 3-A Publishing Co.: Seattle. 1916; 53. 7. Coren, S. How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind. Simon and Schuster, 2004; 106 8. Youatt W, Lewis EJ. The Dog. Leavitt and Allen, 1857 Available at: http://books.google.com/books?id=wxkPAAAAYAAJ Accessed December 15, 2008. 9. Bennett PC, Perini E. Tail docking in dogs: can attitude change be achieved? Aust Vet J 2003;81:277-82. 10. Sonntag, Q. Cosmetic tail docking. Vet News 2004;Feb:4-5. 11. Noonan GJ, Rand JS, Blackshaw JK, et al. Tail docking in dogs: a sample of attitudes of veterinarians and dog breeders in Queensland. Aust Vet J 1996;73:86-88. 12. Lytton, N. Toy Dogs and Their Ancestors: Including the History and Management of Toy Spaniels, Pekingese, Japanese and Pomeranians. Duckworth & Co: London. 1911; 91. 13. Moissac, JE. The fight against cosmetic surgery. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2009;50:11231124. 14. Australian Veterinary Association: Surgical alteration to the natural state of animals: http://www.ava.com.au/node/1085 accessed January 31, 2013 14. RCVS Guide to professional Conduct: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/guide-to-professional-conduc… accessed January 31 2013. 16. Lee RB. A History and Description of the Modern Dogs of Great Britain and Ireland. H. Cox: London. 1897. p. 220-221. 17. Sasson-Brickson G. The bobtail trait in Australian shepherds – part I: a historical perspective and docking Regulations in various countries. Aussie Times 2005;March-April 18. Diesel G, Pfeiffer D, Crispin S, et al. Risk factors for tail injuries in dogs in Great Britain. Vet Rec 2010;166:812-817. 19. Strejffert G. Tail injuries of shorthaired German point dogs born in Sweden 1989, 1992 http://www.cdb.org/countries/sweden.htm Accessed June 28, 2010 20. Milne, E. The Truth about Cats and Dogs. Book Guild Publishing, 2007; 118. 21. Darke PG, Thrusfield MV, Aitken CG. Association between tail injuries and docking in dogs. Vet Rec 1985;116:409 22. Kennel Club: Breed Standard tail clauses – traditionally docked breeds: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1359 Accessed January 31st 2013 23. Leaver, SDA, Reimchen TE. Behavioural responses of Canis Familiaris to different tail lengths of a remotely-controlled life-size dog replica. Behaviour 2008;145:377-390. 24. Thrusfield P, Holt M. Association in bitches between breed, size, neutering and docking, and acquired urinary incontinence due to incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism. Vet Rec 1993;133:177-180. 25. Noonan G, Rand J, Blackshaw J, et al. Behavioural observations of puppies undergoing tail docking. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1996;4: 335-342. 26. LaPrarie JL, Murphy AZ. Long Term Impact of Neonatal Injury in Male and Female Rats: Sex Differences, Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 2010;31:193-202. 27. Vega-Avelaira D, McKelvy R, Hathway G et al. The emergence of adolescent onset pain hypersensitivity following neonatal nerve injury. Molecular Pain 2012;8:30. Accessible online at: http://www.molecularpain.com/content/8/1/30 28. Haworth K, Putt W, Cattanach B et al. Canine homolog of the T-box transcription factor T; failure of the protein to bind to its DNA target leads to a short-tail phenotype. Mammalian Genome 2001;12:212-218.
These arguments in favor of removing working dogs’ tails are not well-supported by science. In the largest study on dog tail injuries to date, there was no incidence of tail injuries. 23%, and it was determined that 500 dogs would need to have their tails docked in order to prevent just one tail injury. 18 It has been hypothesized that dogs of particular breeds or those used for particular purposes suffer from tail injuries more frequently. An uncontrolled study of German Shorthaired Pointers conducted in Sweden raised the possibility that a ban on docking would result in a significant amount of tail injury. According to Diesel et al.18, working dogs (mostly gundogs) did not have a significantly higher risk of suffering a tail injury than non-working dogs, but dogs kept in kennels did. The distinctions between docked and undocked breeds are frequently negligible. For instance, only the German Shorthaired Pointer is traditionally docked among the two very similar Pointers, the German Longhaired Pointer and the German Shorthaired Pointer. 20.
The crucial question isn’t “How dangerous is the procedure?” but rather “Is there enough justification for doing it?” A: Undergoing a surgical procedure for aesthetic reasons (i.e. e. , for the sake of appearance) suggests the procedure is not necessary from a medical standpoint. There is no clear advantage for our patients in having this procedure done because research on dogs has not shown that they experience self-esteem or pride in appearance from having their tails docked (common reasons for performing cosmetic procedures on people). The owner’s perception of a pleasing appearance is the only advantage that cosmetic tail docking of dogs seems to provide. The AVMA believes that this is not a sufficient reason to perform a surgical procedure.
When a dog’s tail is cut off for medical reasons, it’s not “docking.” Traumatic injury where complete tail repair is not possible or advisable is the most frequent cause of amputation or partial amputation in dogs. Amputation may also be necessary if a dog’s deformed tail negatively affects its ability to function or increases its risk of injury. A case for removing a dog’s tail could be made based on repeated prior injuries.
We also know that the ancient Romans docked their dogs’ tails
Romans appear to have thought that removing a dog’s tail and clipping its tongue would help to prevent rabies. Rabies would have been a terrifying illness at the time, and it would not have been known how it spread. Even though it would obviously not have worked, it is likely that any method that was thought to lessen the prevalence of this fatal disease would have been quickly adopted.
FAQ
Is it cruel to dock a dog’s tail?
Puppy and other species suffering from cosmetic tail docking, especially when performed without anesthesia,
Why do breeders cut off dog tails?
A: Some breeds may have their tails docked because their non-working members are thought to face risks similar to those of working dogs, but more often than not, it’s done to adhere to a particular breed standard or appearance. According to survey results, it is unnecessary to preventatively dock the tails of pet dogs.
Do breeders cut dogs tails?
Dogs’ tails are frequently removed in modern society for four main reasons: to adhere to breed standards, for sanitary reasons, to safeguard the dog from harm, and for aesthetic reasons. To meet AKC requirements, purebred dog breeders frequently undergo these surgical modifications.
Why do some breeders cut off a man’s tail at birth?
Although most owners and breeders do docking and cropping for aesthetic reasons, many claim that taking the tails off of hunting and farm dogs could protect them from harm during chases or herding. Others contend that docking prevents vigorous breeds like boxers from damaging their tails by banging them against crates or walls.