Tail docking - stupid law!
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:38 pm
Guys,
What is all this nonsense over tail docking then? I honestly couldn't believe it when they introduced this stupid law!!!
While I support the idea that dogs should not be changed for cosmetic purposes, the ban on docking working dogs here in Scotland is a poor decision.
Take my springers as a great example. Mum, "Shandy", is close to 4 years old now and has worked for 3 years. Not once in that time has she damaged her tail.
Being a great wee dog, I really wanted a pup from her but when the tail docking ban came in I thought long and hard over it. Having weighed up the arguments I decided that although there was a risk of a pup damaging its tail working that it would be just the odd thing - after all, springers are always hurting themselves for fun!
Anyway, we had a litter from her last summer and we kept "Dave" who is a lovely bright and bold dog who is taking well to his early training. Here he is with mum.
Dave is on the right in both pics.
Unfortunately I was wrong about the tail docking. He is injuring himself almost each and every time we are out and most times comes back with blood splattered over his back. The tip of his tail is now a mess as you will see in the pictures below. The hair is now almost gone from the end and it is hard, scabby and pussy / bleeding all the time.
I've tried to keep it clean and cut down on his exercise, but nothing seems to work.
All that now seems possible is to have the end amputated which is now a painful process for the dog and should have been done painlessly at a couple days old
Kev.
What is all this nonsense over tail docking then? I honestly couldn't believe it when they introduced this stupid law!!!
While I support the idea that dogs should not be changed for cosmetic purposes, the ban on docking working dogs here in Scotland is a poor decision.
Take my springers as a great example. Mum, "Shandy", is close to 4 years old now and has worked for 3 years. Not once in that time has she damaged her tail.
Being a great wee dog, I really wanted a pup from her but when the tail docking ban came in I thought long and hard over it. Having weighed up the arguments I decided that although there was a risk of a pup damaging its tail working that it would be just the odd thing - after all, springers are always hurting themselves for fun!
Anyway, we had a litter from her last summer and we kept "Dave" who is a lovely bright and bold dog who is taking well to his early training. Here he is with mum.
Dave is on the right in both pics.
Unfortunately I was wrong about the tail docking. He is injuring himself almost each and every time we are out and most times comes back with blood splattered over his back. The tip of his tail is now a mess as you will see in the pictures below. The hair is now almost gone from the end and it is hard, scabby and pussy / bleeding all the time.
I've tried to keep it clean and cut down on his exercise, but nothing seems to work.
All that now seems possible is to have the end amputated which is now a painful process for the dog and should have been done painlessly at a couple days old
Kev.