would you ever dock a dogs tail?

I have never had a dog's tail docked. I have several dogs with docked tails, because I rescue a breed (smooth fox terriers) that have docked tails by breed standard.

Most likely, I will never buy a purebred dog as a puppy that gets a docked tail, so the point is rather moot. I will probably end up always getting my dogs through rescue or adoption as adults.

But, if I were to buy a puppy of a breed that normally gets its tail docked, then yes, it would be done. Tail docking is not cruel. It is done when the puppies are a day or so old. It is very quick, like two seconds, literally. I've seen it done. It heals quickly, and the puppies are too young to lick it and cause problems. I am quite sure the 24 hour old puppy has absolutely no recollection or lasting trauma from the two second procedure. It is, honestly, just like having your human baby boy circumsized.

I like the look of docked tails on certain breeds. IMHO, a cocker spaniel or a Jack Russell or a fox terrier simply does not look the same with a long tail.

I am, however, not in favor of ear cropping, for me personally. That is an entirely different thing, IMO. Ear cropping is an involved, painful procedure done when the dog is much older. It takes a long time to heal, and the dog must be kept from scratching or rubbing its ears. In many case, this requires wearing an elizabethian collar for some time.

To each their own. Honestly, if someone loves their pet and provides it a good home ... who cares if they like docked tails or not? That is the LEAST of many dogs' worries. If you don't like it, don't do it. But if you do like it, go ahead. It's not cruel, it doesn't make you a 'bad pet owner' by any means. IMO, docking is a very, very small issue in the global issue of animal/pet problems.

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Originally Posted by lute

that's a little silly. From what I've witnessed show dogs are some of the most spoiled dogs ever.

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well yes but you would NOT have a dog to show
you should have a dog to enjoy care and give
it a good life not for shows

No one should personally dock their pup's tails themselves. It should be done by a vet at 2-3 days old in sterile conditions. If I had the choice, I would never have my pups tail to be docked. Sammy's tail was docked as a pup, but I didn't choose it, and it would not stop me from getting him.

Now, with ear cropping, it's a whole different story. I'm totally against that... can you imagine how painful it is? :(

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Originally Posted by sprokett

well yes but you would NOT have a dog to show
you should have a dog to enjoy care and give
it a good life not for shows

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These are two of my show dogs. Do they look unloved or like they aren't enjoying life? :D

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...om/mydogs2.jpg

Personally I think some breeds look & function better with docked tail, so I don't object to tail docking. It was done originally in working dogs, because of the work they did. I never could figure out if my Rosie had a naturally short tail or if it had been docked (she was a rottie-aus. shep. x), but I loved her cute little tail.
I really prefer natural ears to cropped. I don't think I'd ever have a dogs ears cropped.

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Originally Posted by applesmom

These are two of my show dogs. Do they look unloved or like they aren't enjoying life? :D

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...om/mydogs2.jpg

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no i adore your dogs i just dont think you
should have a dog purely to show i know
your dogs are loved

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Originally Posted by sprokett

well yes but you would NOT have a dog to show
you should have a dog to enjoy care and give
it a good life not for shows

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I got my Siberian Husky for show purposes only. That doesn't make her less of a pet to me. I'll someday have another Great Dane for show purposes only. He/She will be a pet too. so saying that if you get a dog for shows, you shouldn't own a dog doesn't make sense.

i do not want this thread to turn in to a squabble no i do
not like docked dog tails but that my opinion

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Originally Posted by sprokett

i just dont think you
should have a dog purely to show

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Are you trying to say that you do not agree with people getting a dog just for show and not caring about it otherwise? I, myself, see nothing wrong with getting a dog for show, just as long as it is loved and taken care of just as much as a dog that's not for show. :)

As for tail-docking, I'm not sure what my answer would be. I mean, I love the look of the Doberman and Boxer with a docked tail (although I love the look of them with a full-lengthed tail as well). I guess I'd just have to make that decision if the time ever came.

As long as it is done at a proper age and at a vet's office I am fine with it. I voted No, because you asked would you ever do it. I wouldn't, but my future breed's tails are docked (poodle). I will never breed either, so I would never be in this situation.

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Originally Posted by Twisterdog

I
But, if I were to buy a puppy of a breed that normally gets its tail docked, then yes, it would be done. Tail docking is not cruel. It is done when the puppies are a day or so old. ...... It is, honestly, just like having your human baby boy circumsized.

Honestly, if someone loves their pet and provides it a good home ... who cares if they like docked tails or not? That is the LEAST of many dogs' worries.

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Thank you for that!! My thoughts exactly! Personally I prefer the look of poodles with docked tails. The pom on the end would just not work on a full length tail. If there was a non-docked poodle who needed a home, though, their appearance would not stop me from adopting them.

I immediately thought of the similarity to a circumcision. (sp?) I put my son through that and he doesn't hate me today. :p Really, like Twisterdog said, it is more about the care you give AFTER you take that pet into your home.

I voted no, but not at all because I think it's cruel (I'm very neutral on the subject, and don't really care one way or another - I feel it's up to the owner and/or breeder). I just much prefer dogs with long tails. I am against docking totally if it is done by anyone besides an experienced veterinarian, but if it's done properly, like I said, I'm neutral on the subject. I'm about the same with ear cropping too.

I also wanted to add that there isn't a whole lot that bothers me more when it comes to my dogs than when I post a thread of Winston (who is both cropped & docked, but we adopted him that way) and all I get is "that is so cruel", "he would look so much better natural", etc. This isn't anything against anyone, but really, even if you're totally against one or both surgeries, there is zero need to announce that in someone's thread about their very well loved dog (I mentioned this because I've noticed people making such comments recently in a few threads). Unless it's a docking debate thread, please keep your thoughts to yourself.

Nope I wouldn't, I love doggies natural long tails!:D

Nope never, unless it was a medical emergency that had to be done.

Of course I would never *personally* dock a dogs tail, it needs to be done at a vet. I honestly do not agree with cropping or docking, but I do think cropping is much worse. If a dog came to me docked, then that is fine. Sydney has a docked tail, actually all of the dogs we've had until Nebo had docked tails. Some breeds are very difficult to find without docked tails since its done when they are young. I don't agree with altering a dogs appearance for cosmetic reasons, if it is truely for a medical reason that's the only way I'll agree with it.