Is Tail Docking Cruel?

When you see certain breeds with docked tails, you probably don’t think twice, but is it really necessary to dock a dog’s tail? Tail docking began for several reasons: to avoid tail damage, hygiene, and appearance. As one who has adopted an English Cocker Spaniel, I can see the pros and the cons. Had we gotten our Euri as a puppy, we would have chosen not to dock his tail, but since we adopted him with a docked tail, there is nothing we can do now but laugh when he wags his little stub.Euri goes for walks daily in the woods and the biggest risk I see is the thorns that get stuck in his fluffy ears, so why don’t breeders dock Cocker Spaniel’s ears like Dobermans? You cannot make an argument for one and not the other; it simply does not make sense.

Injury

Because certain breeds are used for hunting, they often go through thick bush. It is thought that long wagging tails can tear and become injured while hunting, but why only dock some hunting dogs and not others? You don’t see a docked tail on a Labrador Retriever. Perhaps it is because a lab’s tail is hardier and less fluffy, or perhaps it is because breeders simply do not think a docked tail on a Labrador Retriever will look aesthetically pleasing.

Hygiene

Breeds like the Old English Sheepdog have long, thick coats which can lead to feces getting stuck and foul odors setting in. Docking a tail eliminates that problem. Why don’t breeders dock the tails of Shih-Tzus where that is a continual problem? Most likely because they look more attractive with their tails.

Appearance

Cosmetic tail docking is all about appearances. In general, breeders believe that certain breeds (e.g. Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Rottweilers) look better with a docked tail.

How is a Tail Docked?

Banding

This method is less painful and is used regularly by breeders. An orthodontic band is placed over the base of the puppy’s tail when he is just 24-96 hours old. This cuts off the blood supply to the end of the tail; and in about three days, that portion of the tail falls off. Sounds cruel but is it less cruel than male circumcision?

Surgery

Veterinarians cut the tail with surgical scissors or a knife which usually does not require stitches.

Is Tail Docking Painful?

You’ll get two different opinions on this one depending on who you ask. According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), tail docking is indeed painful because the puppy has a fully developed nervous system. The WSAVA claims that certain biological markers show that the puppy is indeed in pain. Even the American Veterinary Association (AVA) states that tail docking is painful. However, many breeders are of the belief that tail docking is not painful, especially if the banding method is used.

I can ask Euri if it was a painful experience, but chances are he won’t remember or understand what I’m saying. What I can tell you is that he does not like to have his tail (stub) touched.

Making Tail Docking Illegal

The AVA believes that tail docking is cruel and unnecessary and therefore opposes the practice. The WSAVA is of the belief that tails are necessary to dogs, otherwise they would have evolved without them. However, if we use that argument, we can say that wisdom teeth are necessary because we are born with them yet many humans have their wisdom teeth pulled – is that cruel or necessary?

It is also believed that dogs communicate with each other through their tails, so if a dog has a docked tail, miscommunication can arise. I’ve seen this happen with Euri because dogs simply cannot understand what his stub is saying.

According to Animal Protective Services, cosmetic tail docking has been banned in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Cyprus, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy (in Rome and Turin only), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and Wales. *Please note: For certain circumstances (e.g. medical and working dogs) tail docking is still allowed in some of the above countries.

So most of Europe has banned tail docking yet America has not. Is that a sign that Americans are not only vain when it comes to their own bodies, but their dogs too?

If you’re opposed to tail docking there are a few things you can do to get the message across.

* Do not buy puppies without tails. Shop around and look for a breeder that does not condone tail docking. Request that the breeder not dock your puppy’s tail if you are able to buy your puppy before he is born.
* Write the American Kennel club with your opinion. If more people complain, they might just reconsider their position on tail docking for dog shows.
* Write your local, state and federal officials and make your case against cosmetic tail docking. Insist that you won’t re-elect unless they legislate a bill against tail docking. With enough letters, the government will get the message.

As an American who has lived in the United Kingdom, I found it difficult to accept the fact that tail docking is still legal in America. I have written an article about the pros and cons of tail docking from the perspective of an American owner of an adopted English Cocker Spaniel (who was imported from the Czech Republic by two American breeders for the purpose of confirmation; unfortunately for the American breeders, our dog grew to be too big for the breed standard which meant his tail was docked for naught).

(Article written By Bobbi Leder)