It is a merely aesthetic procedure, and vets continue to fight against it. Tail docking is the amputation of a dog’s tail at varying lengths to suit the recommendations of a breed standard. Available attitude research surrounding these controversial practices has been limited to surveys of veterinarians and dog breeders familiar with both practices. Dogs can be very happy with only part of their tail and will function perfectly normally. Not having a long tail will not scar your dog for life and will lead to no physical problems. Unless the dog’s tail is a major hindrance to the work that a working dog needs to carry out, or if it may be damaged or injured in the course of his work, there is no justification for tail docking. While the majority of puppies may never suffer known physical problems, some veterinarians believe docking may predispose dogs to urinary incontinence later in life. Then one must consider the plight of the fox that seems to manage to move through dense undergrowth at speed and with ease yet it sports a delightfully bushy tail! Lawrenson Trial, "Sincere views were held by those who both support and oppose a ban on cosmetic docking and our preference is that there should continue to be freedom of choice. Some breeds, such as the pug, may have problems with insufficient bowel movements due to the anatomy of the tail. The average number of whimpers made during the amputation of the tail was 18, (range of 2 -46.) Simplest way of docking tales without pain. Veterinarians argue that also like any surgical procedure, this puts the animal at life risk due to using general anesthesia alone, creating an unnecessary danger simply for aesthetic purposes. Docking a dog’s tail also cuts off tail talk to a great extent, which potentially could cause communication problems between dogs. Canines without a tail are at a social disadvantage, and it has been studied that they can exhibit compensatory behaviors, such as the movement of their rear and being able to generate “misunderstanding” with other animals of the same breed. Dog tail docking is a cosmetic surgical procedure and is not recommended by most veterinarians. An example of this is the rectococcygeus muscle on the hind wall of the dog's rear, near to the anus. Studies also show that dogs with docked tails tend to be more aggressive (22, 24). Any surgical procedure performed on dogs should guarantee the absence of pain, but this isn't always the case with tail docking. Historically, it was thought to decrease the risk of rabies and strengthen a dog’s back . Rarely mentioned is the fact that tail docking can have far reaching health issues. Along with oral communication (barking, grunting, groaning), the dog is able to send messages to their peers using tail movement, which transmits key information for a dog seeking to socialize with other dogs (19, 20, 21). Dog tail docking problems include: excessive bleeding, the reasonable risk of anesthesia, infection, wound dehiscence (splitting open) and rectal prolapse. Wagging tails of a dog express its friendliness to us so how can dog express itself without a tail to its owner. The main reason for tail docking in Cocker Spaniels – some ‘traditional’ Cocker look that should be always adhered to (Spaniels with long tails don’t look ‘natural’). ", "All pups appeared distressed by the amputation of the tail. In England, for example, this began a normal surgery in 1786, used to indicate working dogs and get a tax cut for that (3). The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The Government seems to believe Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Yorkshire Terriers, for example, are working dogs and so are able to be docked for that purpose. Scientists at the University of Victoria in Vancouver, Canada studied a robotic dog with a mechanical back-end and detachable tail and studied how 492 dogs reacted to … Other chronic health issues observed were degenerated pelvic muscle and risks for phrenic muscle integrity, as well as increased perineal hernia (2, 16). It was not until the early 19th century that the first critical voices appeared (5). ". ", "It seems that Mr McDowell and the RSPCA don't like it when things don't go exactly their way. The intensity of vocalisations decreased slightly (but was still above the intensity made during preparation of the tail) in the period between amputation and placement of the suture (if appropriate). I am a first time dog owner. who had this to say: This comment made by Pauline Baines raises the question of, are we now going to see one breed deliberately crossed with another breed so that the resulting litters may be docked? Ear cropping and tail docking have been a part of some dog breeds’ histories for centuries. The opposition to tail docking in dogs kept growing from there. This muscle is attached to the base of the tail as well and supports the anal canal and rectum along with the Levator ani muscle. Dog Tail Docking: 5 Dangers of This Procedure (Based on Science), tion and Extent of Humanity to Brutes”, Youatt also wrote the following, describing the methods of dog tail docking (, Addison’s Disease in Dogs: The Guide for Pet Owners, 10 Key Differences Between Wolves and Dogs, Swimmer Puppy Syndrome: How to Help Your Dog, The Science-based Guide for Feeding Athletic Dogs, TOP #123: Ridesharing for Dogs and Their Owners, TOP #120: How to Pick Mentally Stimulating Toys for Dogs, TOP #119: How to Restrain Dogs in Cars to Keep Them Safe, Recipe: High Fiber Dog Treats with Oat Bran, Recipe: Grain Free Dog Treats with Coconut Flour, 3 Tips On How To Make Dog Food Cheaply On A Budget, Recipe: Molasses and Peanut Butter Dog Treats, How Do Dogs Get Parvo and How to Prevent It, How To Make A Dog Wheelchair: A DIY Guide, 5 Tips to Get Your Dog in Better Physical Shape, Giveaway: Spruce Grab & Go Leash Bag ($30+ Value), Review: PetFusion Outdoor Pet Waste Disposal, Review: Hyper Pet K9 Kannon Tennis Ball Launcher, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Dog Breed: Everything You Need To Know, Brussels Griffon Dog Breed: Everything You Need To Know, Shih Tzu Dog Breed: Everything You Need To Know, European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, The Only Socks You Should Gift Dog Lovers This Holiday. It can generate huge complications in a dog's life and even lead to death when not done by a professional, not counting the pain to which the animal unnecessarily subdued. Sometimes rubber bands are used, although this … A study observing 50 dogs saw the animals shrieking and whimpering for 30 minutes during tail cutting, indicating pain (10). The most common ones were: Infections were common when no hygienic and sterile conditions were guaranteed. ", "The RC has for many years been firmly opposed to the docking of dog's tails, whatever the age of the dog, by anyone, unless it can be shown truly to be required for the therapeutic or prophylactic reasons. At the moment of piercing the skin for a suture placement, vocalisations again returned to levels comparable with the amputation. Overall, more dog lovers and professionals from different fields every year are looking down upon this procedure, and dog tail docking continues to be phased out. The tail is an extension of the dog's spine including various muscles and tendons. Tail docking means that part of a dog’s tail is removed. In 2004, tail docking for non-therapeutic reasons was banned across Australia. About 1/3 of dog breeds had docked tails due to the tradition of it, and there are various “pro-dog tail docking” groups that exist (4). If you were like most kids growing up, you were probably less than amused when you received a pair of socks as a gift.... Asia is a massive continent with a rich, ancient history. Just sign up for our FREE Dog Training Tips below... All Moreover, research with other animals with docked tails do in fact show pain and suffering. Obviously a real dog with a docked tail could try to use strategies involving other aspects of their body language to offset some of their problems associated with a missing tail. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, (RCVS) stated in 2005: The British Veterinary Association, (BVA) states: The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) made a statement on the draft proposal of the Animal Welfare Bill in 2004: The Animal Welfare Veterinary Team of the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA) review of tail docking 2002: That working dogs are exempt from the ban has been criticised as unnecessary and unenforceable by the RSPCA. Also, procedures not performed by a qualified veterinarian (such as in shelters or breeders) increase the risk of complications during and after the practice. Rarely mentioned is the fact that tail docking can have far reaching health issues. There are some common tail problems in dogs that every Cocker Spaniel owner should know. Are dogs in pain during a tail docking procedure? It may sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but microchipping has been around for almost a quarter of a century. In August 2011, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – formed by 57 international associations of veterinarians with 55,000 members from 50 countries – issued a statement at their General Assembly with the following guidelines (PDF): Even before the WSAVA's statement, back in 2001, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), which constitutes the 28th advisory organization in the European Union, issued their statement (PDF) and set their position against all surgeries in pets for non-curative purposes, including tail cutting, ear cutting, nail removal and resection and third phalanx. ", "However docking is dressed up, it remains a painful and cosmetic amputation, which is all about tradition rather than the dog's welfare. Dogs use their tails as an important form of communication with all other species, and if a problem is present, such as an infection or fracture, it should be fairly easy to identify. 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