![]() The shrieking sound given by puppies when the tail is chopped off and during stitching is an indication of pain during the procedure, says the RSPCA. The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) however disagrees with this argument saying that the dog’s basic nervous system is full-fledged at birth and puppies are as sensitive to pain as their adult counterparts. This then leads to the argument that the procedure causes no pain. Proponents of the procedure say that at this age, the puppies’ nervous system is not yet fully developed. Dog Tail Docking Problems and Controversyĭog tail docking is done at the age of 2-5 days. It is often indicated in the breed standard. The ideal length of the final docked tail varies depending on the breed. More and more veterinarian are using the banding method, especially in the UK, notes the UK Council of Docked Breeds. The tail typically falls off within 3 days after tying it. This makes use of a rubber ligature (an orthodontic band) to cut off blood supply to the tail, ultimately leading to its falling off. When performed by dog breeders, a method referred to as “banding” is generally used to dock puppy’s tails. Stitching is generally not required but may occasionally be used, particularly for larger dog breeds. When performed by a vet, surgical scissors are commonly used to cut the tail off to the desired length. Tail docking procedure is usually carried out without anesthesia. tend to get more soiled as the hair surrounding the base of the tail collect feces and debris. Promote Dog HygieneĮnthusiasts of dog tail docking also argue that working dog breeds with long hair and thick coats such as Yorkshire terrier, Old English sheepdog, etc. fox control also have their tails docked to facilitate easy movement in the confined undergrowth.Īdvocates of tail docking in dogs further argue that even non-working dogs that wag their tails a lot could be susceptible to tail injury, even at home. Terriers that are bred for hunting purposes e.g. Working dog breeds such as Terriers and Spaniels are docked for this reason. Dog tail docking is proposed as a way to eliminate these risks. ![]() They may also in collect foxtail and burrs, leading to pain and even infections. The first argument advanced to justify dog tail docking is that hunting dogs and herding dogs may injure the tips of the tail from abrasion and other injury while running through dense underbrush and thickets. This tax was scrapped in the late 18 th century.Įven then, tail docking continued to be rampant among dog breeders and owners and still persists in some countries today for several alleged reasons including: Prevent Tail Damage The working dog with tails was at one point taxed in the UK and many dogs were docked to save on this tax. In ancient times, dog tail docking was seen as a way to prevent rabies contraction but that claim was later nullified. With so much controversy, with veterinary professionals and associations arguing against the surgical practice, one is left to wonder, “Why do people dock dogs’ tails in the first place?” Dog Tail Docking Problems and Controversy. ![]()
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