iakul

Well, the forums been quite quiet, so I thought I would start a debate.
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, ear cropping and tail docking is the practice of cutting off a dog's tail and ears when it is still young.

Generally, those who are for it say that ear cropping and tail docking helps to prevent infections and hygenic problems.

Those who are against it say that the procedure is unnessary.

Hopefully this will spark off some activity in the forums.

glowpole

talk about off topic ;O

Poe

I have two dogs with docked tails (i didn't dock them myself ofc), I do not agree with ear cropping. But tail docking is considered necessary in some breeds. When a dog has a long slender tail they can often cut or break it on furniture while wagging their tail. I read several articles about this, and I sort of agree with it. If a tail is injured it can lead to infection.. which ends up with the tail being docked anyway. So on some breeds I agree with it. If it isn't breed standard it shouldn't be done.

Tail docking is painless if done when very young 1-3 days old, it is normally done with dental bands (the same kind used with bracers and retainers) The nerves are supposed to be not developed yet in the tail, and it comes off as easily as our umbilical cord. It should be done by a vet, of course. Home docking is just barbaric if you aren't trained for it.

I used to whole heartedly disagree with it, until I read more information on it.
Yes I know I'm weird, I love dogs... and eventually I want to show and breed them
And yes, wow where did this topic come from, rofl... it is wayyy off topic ^_^

iakul

That's the whole point of having an off-topic section, isn't it?
To discuss things not related to PDO that we are interested in.

JenLyn

Same is done to humans in a way. Baby boys get circumcized. Some think it's unnecessary others have religious reason for doing it and some do it for cosmetic and hygenic reasons.
I dunno much about dogs but I know something about boys


Back to the dogs, it looks weird if a dog that normally is shown with cropped ears and docked tails does not. For me I'd do it to keep in line with the breed's historic "look". Yes, it may hurt but not for long and they will soon forget it. When a dog gives birth it hurts but that doesn't stop people from breeding dogs does it?

[ Last edited by  JenLyn at 8-11-2008 17:07 ]

cage

i have been raising blue healers for a long time and i dock all there tails as they are beeing born  cuz at that point they cant feel it...it looks better docked

[ Last edited by  cage at 8-20-2008 17:32 ]

cage

i beg to differ poe i been docking healer tails for years and i use a very sharp knife and in less than a second the tail is gone put the new born back down with her mother who at this point is still chewing the ambilacle cord  lol the puppie never feels it ........imagine having a rubberband rapped around your finger the puppy feels that i know i tried it that way ONCE....i think rubberband treatment is barbaric...

[ Last edited by  cage at 8-20-2008 18:43 ]