The reason some breeds and not others are dockeddocking (plural dockings) The process of cutting off or trimming the tail or ears of an animal. (nautical) The securing of a vessel to the quayside with cables. (astronautics) The process of connecting one spacecraft to another.https://en.wiktionary.org › wiki › docking
Cosmetic tail docking is cruel to puppies, and other species, especially when done without anaesthesia.
A: Tail docking of some breeds may be based on a belief that their non-working members experience risks similar to working dogs; more commonly, however, it is to conform to a distinctive breed appearance or standard. Survey data indicate that preventive tail docking of pet dogs is unnecessary.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), tail docking is a cosmetic procedure. It is performed to alter a dog's physical appearance in compliance with certain breed standards, but has no proven medical benefit for the pet. Tail docking, therefore, remains a controversial procedure.
Any non-veterinarian who docks a dog's tail, or any veterinarian who docks for a reason other than the dog's welfare, is liable for prosecution. A maximum penalty of $14,375 applies for individuals and up to 5 times more for corporations. Dog tail docking is banned in all other Australian states and territories.
Breeds with naturally docked tails
The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
In the case of the Australian Shepherd pup, tail docking is a procedure that benefits the life of the dog. A shorter tail prevents potential breaking later in life and ensures a cleaner and more sanitary lifestyle for the dog and its owner.
Tail docking is painful
Docking a puppy's tail involves cutting through muscles, tendons, up to seven pairs of highly sensitive nerves and severing bone and cartilage connections. Tail docking is usually carried out without any anaesthesia or analgesia (pain relief).
There are still many breeds all over the world who have their tails docked and many veterinarians willing to do it with as little pain and risk as possible. There is a need for it in many cases and a great desire for it in others.
Traditionally, a Rottweiler's tail was docked (cut short) so it would not get in the way when the dog performed certain tasks, such as pulling a cart. If a working dog's tail is docked, it cannot get caught in something or be stepped on. Tails are also docked for visual appeal and home safety.
However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) maintain that tail docking is painful and may negatively affect the development of a puppy's vulnerable nervous system. Additionally, poorly performed docking can lead to chronic pain.
Tails are normally docked at 2 to 5 days of age without anaesthetic being used. When carried out correctly, the procedure causes no more than momentary discomfort since the puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.
Unless the dog is being utilized for show purposes in the conformation ring, tail docking is best left undone if beyond the age of 5-7 days.
Short-docked tails have been associated with increased incidence of rectal prolapse in some studies. Though there is pain associated with tail docking, fly strike can lead to discomfort, pain and eventually death of the lamb.
Tail pull injuries can cause damage to nerves higher up in the spinal cord that control urination and defecation. If the nerves that control urination and defecation are injured, your dog may become incontinent. With time, nerve function may return; however, some dogs remain unable to control their bladder or bowels.
Do dogs feel pain in their tail? That's because the tail DOES have pain receptors, but they do not react the same when relaxed as when excited. By the way, because a dog does not feel pain does not mean they cannot do damage.
Cosmetic tail docking is entirely a matter of personal preference. Docking a puppy's tail is a personal decision that should be made based on your circumstances and preferences. However, it is essential to remember that this procedure does have some risks and should only be performed by a qualified veterinarian.
Many have naturally short tails.
In addition to having a genetic predisposition for heterochromia, Aussies have a one-in-five chance of being born with a naturally bobbed tail,. Ranchers purposely bred Aussies that had these naturally short tails because they are safer when it comes to herding.
Other dog breeds that are not docked, such as Border Collies and Rough Collies, had a risk estimate of only 0.08%. Diesel et al11 reported that working dogs (predominantly gundogs) were not at significantly greater risk of tail injury than non-working dogs, but dogs that were kenneled were at increased risk.
Tail docking a puppy is an inexpensive procedure. Generally, it runs from $10 to $20 per animal. This procedure is paired with the dog's first check-up, which can cost up to $100. If the dog is older, the cost is greatly increased.
It is also an offence to take a dog to another jurisdiction to have the tail docking procedure carried out. Any person convicted of illegal tail-docking of a dog could face a maximum of two years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
Ears & Tails
Boxers belong to the Working Group of dogs, and historically their naturally floppy ears were cropped (cut and made to stand upright) and their long tails docked short in order to enhance their performance as working dogs. Today, cropping and docking serve no functional purpose.
The most common reason to dock in recent history is to decrease injury risk to working dogs—dogs who hunt, herd, or otherwise work in the field. “The reasoning behind it is these dogs have long, strong tails that get beat up and bloody in fieldwork or hunting,” Dr.
If your dog is chewing the hair off the tail or losing hair due to hormonal issues, then hair regrowth can be expected once they stop chewing the tail or the hormonal condition is controlled.