Tail Docking what are the pros n cons

[BlackHawke]

i'm picking up a springer pup end of may, beggining of june and i've been advised to have his tail shortened. i know a tail can get caught when the dogs goin thru heavy cover. but i dunno if thats a good enough reason for me to have his/her tail docked. have any of u guys with dogs had their tails docked. thoughts guys
cheers as always

[North East Harris Hawker]

aye, get it chopped off, it stops it getting in the way in cover, knocking over drinks in the house and it looks smart too 8)

[Finnish]

I'll also say have the chop could save you some money in vets bill's when the dog keeps cutting his tail.

[BrianM]

yup if you are going to work her take it off,,, ever seen a tail thats been shreaded by bramble bushes,, it aint pretty

[Finnish]

Blackhawke you can also call your dog chopper there you go we got you a name as well :wink: :lol:

[Debbie]

Yep I think you should all have the chop - ooh thats not the area you guys were on about were you :wink: :lol: :snakeman:

Sorry could not resist :wink:

History says to have them docked for practical reasons but I guess you also have to way up if you are just going to hunt once or twice a week then it may not be a big deal. Also many breeders will not give you a choice.

Debbs xx

[HawkMan69UK]

you gotta do it mate mine has had hers done ut her tail still gets smashed up and if you ever seen a working springers tail go it goes 50 to the dozen....

[Shaun Byrne]

Pros- Tail only gets cut once!
Cons- Erm???

[Bird_Dog]

The con of tail docking is if done improperly it can lead to nerve pain. Some of the techniques used by "old school" vets basically cut to lenght without respect to the tail vertebra. The nerve can be exposed and it will have a sensitive tip. Sometimes the dog will chronically chew at the tip as a result. But that said I prefer to doc than not.

-- BIRD_DOG

[Ian Wileman]

if the breed is traditionally docked, then dock! No question. I was in Crufts on Sunday with a friend (vet) who shows dogs. We stood by the Giant Shnauzer ring watching the dogs. One came in that was undocked (looked **** - but nevertheless - undocked). We got on to the subject fo should or shouldnt we dock breeds. He told me of a case he new of were the owner of a dog had asked to have their 3 year old UNDOCKED dogs tail docked! Asking why, the vet was told, if it wasnt docked, they would have to either get rid of the dog, or have it put down! Why? Because social services had been into school after being called in as this owners son had been repeatedly whipped by his parents (there were long bruises on his legs most weeks that concerned the teaching staff). Need I go on? Guess how the child got the bruises? Yep! Dogs tail when they played together.

Bobtails with tails? there is a worry that the breeds popularity has dropped in recent years due to non-docked pups on the market.

Pups being put down! YES, being put down! Because people will not buy them as readily if they have tails, they get too old to sell as 'adorable pups', and have to be put to sleep!!! Not often, but it does happen!

Dogs need tails to communicate? Do Dobermans have a hard time communicating with other dogs? NO!

Dogs need tails to swim, using them as rudders! Cant spaniels swim in a straight line? BEHAVE!

Dogs need tails to balance when turning at speed! Ever seen a Fell terrier run?

DOCK THE BREED IF THE BREED NEEDS DOCKING!

[BlackHawke]

i gotta rotti with a tail. its 5 inches in diameter at the base n it hurts like hell when he wags it. definatly needed docking!!!. do springers traditionally have their tails docked????

[Coedhirion]

Buy a Brittany !!! They are born with short or no tails at all, saves on the vets bill and solves your problem :lol: :lol: :rolleyes: :yawinkle:

[Gary.B]

I'd recommend getting the pup docked, springers have a very long tail compared to the size of their body. Take off no more than two thirds, too short can cause problems as well.
Once the tip of an undock tail is split it can take a long time to heal, I've seen springers with pipe lagging taped around their tails, not a good look.