Thanks for replying,
I have seen tail injuries similar to the one you describe AdoreMyDogs, mostly in kenneled dogs where wagging tails bash against walls. Although bloody, boy can they spray it along way!, we never would of considered amputation. We used rigid plastic syringe covers and tape to protect the tip until it healed.
A a cosmetic option I can see no justification whatsoever for tail docking. In so called misunderstood breeds that have aquired reputations for aggression and unprovoked biting it is interesting that the main breeds in this group are usually docked,ie. rottie and doberman. Could it be that they truly are misunderstood as their body language is severly limited? Could some of these dogs think they are sending keep away messages clearly, which are not recognised without the tail, and then feel their only defense is attack?
As for it being necessary in working dogs... the main reason we would never consider docking for a minor injury is that our working dogs would have been severly hampered without a tail to use as a balance. Yes, you've guessed it, racing Greyhounds.
Ear cropping - monstrous and pathetic looking what would posess anyone to mutilate their animal in this way? I don't understand how the U.K. can see this as the barbaric practice it is and still allow docking for cosmetic reasons. Haven't we mucked around enough with dogs genetically for the "right look" and caused enough damage to their health and quality of life without interfering with a knife as well?