To dock or not to dock that is the question

[PEREGRINE]

What is everyones opinion on docking working breeds? The Springer pup I have just bought does not have her tail docked and this is the first one I have had with a tail, do you think this will effect her in the field? Cosmetically I prefer docked springers but will not put her through an operation just for looks, the vet says he will dock her for £170 but I dont think its fair to do that too her when there is no medical reason to do so. What do you think?

[rkidcj]

A very controversal subject so I will speak from my experiences.

I have a German Shorthaired Pointer who was docked and dewclawed at 3 days old. When Im out with him he gets very exited and a long tail would act as a whip, whipping against brambles trees etc. Im sure that I would have had to have taken him to the vets before now to be stitched up.

But

I always thought that It was illegal to dock puppies over a few days old?

[PEREGRINE]

Acording to my vet it is not illegal but unethical unless you can prove discomfort to the dog ie. cut tail from brush etc. My vet refused unless I could provide this proof, but another vet said he would do it anyway for £170!! I think I wodo it now unless it was proving a disadvantage to the dog, but I do wish the breeder had done it a 3 days.

[remytherussell]

Particulary with spaniels which have "feathers" on the tail you would find frequent problems with entanglement.

Dew claws also need doing as they would often tear.

Our keeper has 2 and both have been done. he would say it is cruel not to have them done.

RTR

[Browning]

I agree with RTR, my 2 GSPs would have ripped their tail ends to bits

with the speed that they wag them whilst retrieving, and that's not even

in the type of rough cover that a spaniel will get.

 

In my opinion.....always dock if the dog will work in cover.

[jordan]

i agree with docking at a young age but i would not touch your pup now mate if you wanted a pup with a docked tail you should of bought one with its tail docked i cannot see why you should dock thsi dog as it has doen nothing through its own fault

[millo2]

I agree with RTR, my 2 GSPs would have ripped their tail ends to bits

with the speed that they wag them whilst retrieving, and that's not even

in the type of rough cover that a spaniel will get.

 

In my opinion.....always dock if the dog will work in cover.

even my lab?

[PEREGRINE]

As I stressed in my first post I have no intention of docking the dog unless it becomes a problem to her. My aim at posting in the first place is to get peoples views on docking in general, and to discover why docking has suddenly become a tabboo practice amongst a lot of breeders.

[Browning]

Sorry Millomite, I was refering to Peregrines springer, not dogs in general.

 

Just my thoughts on what I would do.