One of my own cockers had to have a late amputation at two because she had been docked far too long and had severe tail damage. It was a horrible time for her. There does seem to be some movement amongst vets to discussing neutering more and to recognising that there are pros as well as cons. Foxhounds cover large amounts of ground, but this is not all dense cover, a fair proportion of their time will be spent crossing open ground. This is very different to a working spaniel that may spend long periods of time forcing through dense cover.
The tail of the foxhound is also held high and has a slower action than a spaniel. Hounds do sometimes suffer tail damage, as do retrievers, but not so frequently as to have created a need for docking. It is worth bearing in mind that docking was originally initiated out of need and practicality.
Not for any other reason. Where there was not sufficient need, docking would not become routine practice. Had there been a need for docking foxhounds, I am sure that there would have been no hesitation to do so. I live in Scotland …. My poor boy is suffering and seems to be less tolerant , growling when touch tail and obviously sore. I believe there should be a case for docking in certain breeds , especially when there is a problem.
I am so sorry to hear you have this horrid problem. I suggest you get a second opinion. There is nothing to stop vets in Scotland amputating a tail for therapeutic reasons. And it sounds as though you might be heading in this direction.
Good luck. As the puppy grows over the next week or 10 days. In answer to the question about Scottish law, it is only illegal to dock pups in Scotland, not to own one that was docked elsewhere. I have recently bought a 4 month old springer, his tail hasnt been docked, i intend to work him. Today at the vets i asked about getting it done, but they said they cant until it inevitable gets cut and possibly infected.
Any way round this or have i just got to wait n hope it wont get infected? Hi Andy, Puppies need to be docked in the first few days of life. It would be illegal for your vet to do it now. Very interesting article. Is that not the case? Thanks a lot. I thought this was a really well writtten article. Having previously not had any knowledge of why docking occurred I found it very interesting. Is it just Cocker Spaniels that have their tails docked or do other working breeds have it done too?
Hi there, other working spaniels such as springers, and HPR breeds are prone to tail damage and can be docked if intended for work. I have two Springers, the youngest being 15 months both have tails, the eldest, because she has! The youngster, because he came from Scotland. Both, and the youngster is still in training, have had split tails! As they get into a full working life I am confident that they will both get damaged more and will both have to have an operation to dock the tail in some degree.
Far more traumatic for the dog than when it was a pup! Thanks Pippa for a reasoned argument. My Labrador and Retrievers usually suffer from cuts to their faces from pushing through undergrowth. I feel it is cruel to allow the dog to suffer the pain and trauma of tail damage, which could so easily have been avoided by docking. I believe that the current restrictions are reasonably fair, but for the reasons stated earlier are not always in the best interest of the dog.
Well we bought a undocked pup last year 7 moths on she damage her tail on the kitchen table leg it split and wouldnt heal 5 separate trips to the vets and a lot of pain to are dog lo It started to hdal as soon as she wagged it and bangded it it would split again any way after 5 weeks it started to go black the vet said she had to have it amputated if this was Done as a pup all her suffering could have been avoided I will never by a spaniel with a full tail again.
They find the whole concept completely barbaric. Without the benefit of knowledge, this is quite understandable. Split tails tend to re-open repeatedly and heal poorly. A hundred or more years ago, such a dog would probably have been discarded or left to suffer. Nowadays of course, we provide treatment for tail damage. And the injured dog will often require an operation. Sometimes more than one. This can also happen in a dog that has been docked inadequately.
Fashionable docking Nowadays, most dog are not worked, they are companions. Arguably with no good reason. The ban Docking in Scotland was banned completely, and in Wales is restricted to certain breeds of dog.
The arguments for and against Some people felt that docking should not have been banned at all, they see no problem with docking any breed of dog that is traditionally docked. Common beliefs Of those that object to the exemption for our working gundogs, there are a number of common premises or beliefs that underly their opinions. Here are some of the arguments that I have heard recently Not all dogs get tail damaged, so just dock when they do.
If you want to explore the ethics of game shooting more deeply, you might be interested in this article: A sporting chance- a look at the ethics of game shooting More help and information If you enjoy my articles, you might like my new book: The Happy Puppy Handbook — a definitive guide to early puppy care and training.
Comments Those that are against docking of working spaniels tails would benefit from seeing a non docked tail ripped to sheds — not pleasant! Thanks for sharing your story Laura, hope Ben soon recovers from his operation. Thanks for the comments, its been really useful to read!
This is the opposite. It is a quick, preventative procedure protecting the animal over its whole working life, leaving it with an expressive, waggy tail. It is also an offence to transport a puppy out of Scotland solely for the purpose of docking its tail. A spaniel works his way into thick cover. Repetitive minor trauma, as well as overt injury, can lead to tail damage so if the former is the problem, less frequent work gives the skin some time to recover.
If you want to try a protective bandage, be sure to cover the whole tail and use an cohesive bandage — something like Vetrap or Elastoplast, which will stick to itself. Start by holding the bandage under the tail between finger and thumb, using your left hand if right-handed, with the sticky side towards the tail. Take the bandage straight down the tail around the tip and up to where you started.
Twist the bandage and come back down the tail and back up again with overlapping turns, trapping tail feathering under each overlap to help secure the bandage. It is quite possible of course, that a spirited dog which likes nothing better than plunging through brambles and thorny patches will return with the carefully applied bandage in tatters.
Should that happen , console yourself, at least you have evidence to demonstrate to your vet that the dog is likely to continue damaging its tail. Q: Is it irresponsible of me to work a springer without a docked tail? Having spent months researching English springer spaniels, I am at the point of trying to find a reputable breeder. I would like a show-type springer but want to train it to hunt and retrieve.
When I do find suitable show-type dogs, they do not have docked tails. Would it be irresponsible of me to work a springer with a full tail? A: Paul Rawlings says: I have watched scores of spaniels working over the years, both in the shooting field and in field trials, many of which had tails docked much longer than is normal.
In the UK , for instance, tail docking has been banned. Only a few veterinarian-registered work dogs are docked. Otherwise, this practice is a criminal offense. In some countries, it is restricted and is only performed by a veterinarian, while in others, there are no regulations whatsoever regarding tail docking in dogs. Apart from mentioned above, the countries that banned tail docking in dogs include:.
Below is a list of countries where tail docking in dogs is unrestricted :. The shrieking of a dog during tail docking should tell how much pain it withstands.
However, pro-docking breeders claim that puppies have underdeveloped tissues and nervous systems and may not feel so much pain and discomfort. But this is a wrong assertion. Worse still, there is no form of pain relief or anesthesia applied during this gruesome process, and these puppies experience excruciating pain, even during the stitching process.
Sometimes, there is inflammation of the wound, which might continually cause the puppy discomfort as the dog matures. Plus, the wound might become infected, opening a portal to several other health issues. Tail docking is an unnecessary pain-causing procedure ; therefore, many anti-docking activists stood against it. Historically, or should we say typically, veterinarians perform tail docking on dogs when they are still puppies. Besides difficulties in healing properly, there are many other issues related to tail docking in dogs.
First and foremost, it is an extremely painful procedure to endure for adult dogs. Research showed that all the dogs docked around 50 breeds and dogs in a study all showed visible signs of pain. However, tail docking can be done where there is a pressing need to do it. Such situations can lead to a permanent tail injury sustained by the adult dog. Most prominent organizations and individuals who stood against tail docking in dogs argued that the procedure increased aggressiveness in dogs by limiting their ability to communicate properly.
While this may be true, there are other potential damages caused by tail docking:. Neuromas consist of different tissues that tend to grow on the point of severance or amputation. The growth of neuromas can cause severe pain and distress to your dog.
In rare cases, the tail docking can lead to mental complications in dogs such as anxiety , destruc tive behaviour and aggression. These complications result from shock and emotional strain from the procedure.
0コメント