Springer spaniel - tail docking
Discussion
Technically they are only supposed to dock pups that are going to become working dogs. If they are to be just pets then it shouldn't happen, obviously there are ways round this if the breeder wants them docked (ie was going to a working home but they changed their mind etc)
My friend has just taken on a springer pup that is docked but she is planning to train her as a beater dog etc, the nice thing is the dock isn't too short.
A nurse yrs ago who bred working terriers told me a good dock should mean you can hold the tail in your hand (so you could get them back out of a eg rabbit hole!!) I think this is a sensible docking length (my friends springer is this length). I hate the really stumpy docks.
I helped with tail docking yrs ago, always felt really mean as they squealed and writhed around when it was done
, pups got over it ok but I have never agreed with inflicting pain unnecessarily, I can accept why it may benefit some working dogs yet not all working breeds have it done and definitely don't think it should be done on those becoming pet dogs!
My friend has just taken on a springer pup that is docked but she is planning to train her as a beater dog etc, the nice thing is the dock isn't too short.
A nurse yrs ago who bred working terriers told me a good dock should mean you can hold the tail in your hand (so you could get them back out of a eg rabbit hole!!) I think this is a sensible docking length (my friends springer is this length). I hate the really stumpy docks.
I helped with tail docking yrs ago, always felt really mean as they squealed and writhed around when it was done
, pups got over it ok but I have never agreed with inflicting pain unnecessarily, I can accept why it may benefit some working dogs yet not all working breeds have it done and definitely don't think it should be done on those becoming pet dogs!Cheers, that's kinda my thinking.
It looks as though half, maybe more litters are docked - legally it seems to be that it's 'ok' if all docked ones don't go into work, as long as the intention was that they would be working - if that makes sense.
I'd rather it have a full tail! Am I right in thinking that outside of being a working dog, there's no 'benefit'?
It looks as though half, maybe more litters are docked - legally it seems to be that it's 'ok' if all docked ones don't go into work, as long as the intention was that they would be working - if that makes sense.
I'd rather it have a full tail! Am I right in thinking that outside of being a working dog, there's no 'benefit'?
CorbynForTheBin said:
Am I right in thinking that outside of being a working dog, there's no 'benefit'?
Correct. Seriously don't contemplate it unless it will be a legit working dog. You may find various brambles, twigs etc will get caught up in the tail but it's not exactly hard to remove with regular brushing etc. I've bred working cockers, the majority will go to working homes therefore I have the tails docked very early before they have much sensitivity in that area and before I know what kind of home they will go to.
One of the main reasons for having them done is to stop them getting shut in vehicle doors as they are in and out a lot during a shoot, they can also get hooked up or cut when working in thick undergrowth.
There is no real reason to have them done for dogs that won't go to a working home, other than whacking things off the coffee table.
One of the main reasons for having them done is to stop them getting shut in vehicle doors as they are in and out a lot during a shoot, they can also get hooked up or cut when working in thick undergrowth.
There is no real reason to have them done for dogs that won't go to a working home, other than whacking things off the coffee table.
Jasandjules said:
Oh I must be mistaken then, I thought that only actual working dogs could be mutilated in this way. Will double check with a friend who trains working springers.
I confirmed that in my post, however breeders can and do find loopholes, easily really by saying the pups have working homes lined up as long as they can show they have working stock they are covered, the Vet has the correct documentation then they are OK to do it. (though I have worked in practices that refuse point blank to do any puppy docking)If pup then goes as a pet all the breeder has to say is the working home didn't work out or similar.
LordHaveMurci said:
My working cocker is docked, he was worked in his younger days but I'm still glad he's docked as even at 12 he works every bit of cover & a full tail would cause him (& me) no end of grief.
This, for me.Dogs from a good 'working' line will do the job they are bred for, regardless.
I guess it will depend where you walk your dog, but the last Springer I had (working line, and had joined beats when she was younger, but never trained for it) was in and out of every bramble patch she could find.
Docking is/was done for a reason - and for the long-term good of the animal.
I think you have to recognise that we've bred really quite extreme psychological traits into some breeds of dogs, and that their physiognomy hasn't always kept up sufficiently for the good of their health and needs intervention. Spaniels were bred out of the retriever breeds, for a 'fixation' to work close cover. Physically, we also managed to get them to a more appropriate size, but we haven't managed to do anything about the tail, which is very vulnerable to being torn and infected by thorns.
R8VXF said:
bexVN said:
R8VXF said:
Docking of tails and ears is completely unnecessary in domestic dogs except for medical reasons.
Ears?? No ear cropping is done in the UK glad to say!bexVN said:
In the USA it does (as is de clawing cats and debarking dogs. I am very glad to say they are all illegal in this country
Hardly a surprise given it's a matter of course to mutilate the penises of new born baby boys over there.Also how someone who spent years training to help animals could then be a part of the process of cutting dogs' tails off I do not know...
Dromedary66 said:
bexVN said:
In the USA it does (as is de clawing cats and debarking dogs. I am very glad to say they are all illegal in this country
Hardly a surprise given it's a matter of course to mutilate the penises of new born baby boys over there.Also how someone who spent years training to help animals could then be a part of the process of cutting dogs' tails off I do not know...
Dromedary66 said:
Hardly a surprise given it's a matter of course to mutilate the penises of new born baby boys over there.
Also how someone who spent years training to help animals could then be a part of the process of cutting dogs' tails off I do not know...
If the dog is going to be worked it's a lot kinder to dock the tail than leave it. If the only work the dog is going to get is chasing a ball in the park then a different thing altogether. Also how someone who spent years training to help animals could then be a part of the process of cutting dogs' tails off I do not know...
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