Tail Docking

Affenpinschers and Tail Docking

Over much of its history, Affenpinschers have had their tails docked for a number of reasons. At first, it was thought the "working" dogs, such as hunting dogs or ratters, should have their tails docked to prevent them from being injured while they work. As dogs made the transition from working dogs to pets, tail docking continued because many dog fanciers believed that the shorter tail completed the "look" of the dog. In most cases, Affenpinschers do not have medical reasons to have their tails docked, and today the decision rests solely with the owner. [...]

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Ear Cropping, Tail Docking and the Miniature Pinscher

The issue of cropping ears and docking tails has become a focal point for many dog breeders and owners. Back in the days when dogs were largely used for work and herding purposes, docking tails and cropping ears was a matter of safety. Now, with dogs taking on more of a companion role, the practice is mostly considered cosmetic. [...]

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Brittany Coat Care and Tail Docking

While it varies from dog to dog, for the most part the Brittany's coat will be wavy or somewhat feathered; especially on the chest, the legs and the hindquarters. The Brittany does shed regularly but many owners report that with the amount of time the dog spends outside, the quantity seems quite minimal. One of the main draws of owning this breed is their lack of doggy smell as compared to other types of dogs. This is also part of their benefit as a gun dog; no odor allows the Brittany to get as close to its quarry as possible before setting up the point. [...]

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Doberman Pinschers And Tail Docking

Doberman Pinschers are one of the more than fifty breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club that have traditionally had their tails docked. Like other dogs with working histories, the tails were often docked to help prevent the tails from experiencing injuries on the job. As a matter of fact, Dobermans have a tail that is considered quite long if allowed to grow. Today, tail docking is the subject of much controversy and in this article we'll look at some of the pros and cons of the procedure. [...]

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Vizsla and Tail Docking

The manner in which a Vizsla is to be groomed is an important, agreed upon matter whereas tail docking within the breed is a hotly contested and multifaceted topic. Tail docking is when some of the very tip of the tail is removed. There are two sides to the debate of tail docking and one side is just as impassioned as the other.Traditionally, one third of a Hungarian Vizsla's tail is docked. It is not the only breed to have its tail docked but it is one who has the longest history of it occurring. However, Australia banned the practice in 2004. The reason was basically cited that tail docking was a form of abuse to the Vizsla, but subsequent to the ban a high number of injuries began happening to Vizslas with tails that have not been clipped. [...]

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Norwich Terriers and Tail Docking Issues

As mentioned in other places, each breed of dog was created to fulfill some kind of purpose and the ideal characteristics of that breed, as outlined in the breed standard, reflect that purpose. For example, Greyhounds are thin and aerodynamic for running down fast prey, while Bloodhounds have long droopy ears to catch scent. Some breed standards call for docking, or the surgical removal of part of a dog's tail or ears; this practice seems to be quite old, dating perhaps back to Roman times, and was purportedly performed to prevent injury to dogs who could have gotten bitten on the ears or tail or had burs or thorns stuck on their tails or ears. [...]

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Anesthesia in Pets Greatly Improved

Anesthesia has a well documented place in both human and animal medicine, and it's especially critical as a way to calm and treat animals who are frightened and in pain.The anesthetics that are used in veterinary medicine today are much safer than ones used in the past, and their results are much more predictable. Gas anesthetics can be quickly eliminated by simply removing the mask. Injectable anesthetics, meanwhile, all have a reversal agent that can be quickly administered if there are any adverse effects, such as a drop in the dog's blood pressure. This additional safety is very important, since veterinarians use anesthetics more than regular medical doctors. That's because many animals become extremely terrified or agitated while at the vet's. Therefore anesthesia is often used in procedures like X-rays, joint examinations and laparoscopic procedures. [...]

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The Central Asian Ovtcharka and the Practice of Ear and Tail Docking

The Central Asian Ovtcharka traditionally has both its ears and tail docked; indeed, engravings and drawings dating back to Assyrian times shows dogs similar to today's Central Asian Shepherd with their ears and tails cut. Owners claim that this is due to the fact that these dogs often had to do battle with large predators, as well as prove themselves in dog fights. Natural ears and tails provided convenient locations for opponents to grab on and pull, causing damage. A major blood vessel runs through the ears of dogs and if the ear is bitten badly, this vessel could break; a great deal of blood could be lost and the dog could die. [...]

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Why the Old English Sheepdog Is Sometimes Called Bobtail

Docking the tail of dogs has become a controversial topic, though the practice is quite old; indeed, there are even engravings and drawings going back to Assyrian times showing dogs with both docked tails and ears. The original reasons for docking a dog's tail are varied, but most involved trying to avoid the dog's pain while he was working. For example, dogs who spent a great deal of time working in fields could inadvertently pick up things like foxtails and burrs on their tails; these items would cause a great deal amount of pain, possibly distracting the dog from working efficiently. The injuries inflicted by foxtails and burrs were also at a risk for infection, which could lead to health risks in the dog, decreasing his ability to work. Breeds with long coats could become soiled with feces and/or urine and this could lead to insects and infection, again affecting a dog's potential to work. [...]

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The Myths of Owning a Neapolitan Mastiff

With males reaching up to one hundred seventy pounds, the Neapolitan Mastiff is definitely one of the largest breeds in the canine world. Their sizeable physique is often mesmerizing, leaving many to wonder exactly what goes into owning such a creature. Unfortunately, its size can also lead to many misconceptions. Those who know a bit about the dog's history may assume that the Neo is purely aggressive or that they have a penchant for being destructive or unapproachable. As many have come to find, getting to know a Neo easily blows any and all preconceptions right out of the water. [...]

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