Tail docking is the term given to the surgical removal of puppies’ tails for cosmetic purposes. … There are over 70 breeds of dog that traditionally have had their tails cut off a few days after birth. The reason some breeds and not others are docked is simply because of the fashion set for that particular breed.
Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic, therapeutic, cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury. For dogs that work in the field, such as some hunting dogs, herding dogs, or terrier dogs, tails can collect burrs and foxtails, causing pain and infection and, due to the tail’s wagging, may be subject to abrasion or other injury while moving through dense brush or thickets. Bones in the tail can be broken by impact in the field, causing spinal injury to the tail, or terriers can become stuck underground, necessitating being pulled out by the tail, in which case the docked tail protects the dog from spinal injury or trauma. Some Verterinaries strongly dispute this practice, disputes these justifications, saying “These justifications for docking working dogs’ tails lack substantial scientific support. In the largest study to date on tail injuries in dogs the incidence was 0.23% and it was calculated that approximately 500 dogs need to be docked to prevent one tail?
Some commentators consider a long tail to be a potential hazard for some breeds of working dogs. For example, it has been suggested that:
- A guard dog could be seized by the tail to thwart its attack.
- Hunting dogs, such as pointers, may damage their tail tip in underbrush.
- Long-haired dogs may become more soiled if they have a hanging tail.
These justifications for docking working dogs’ tails lack substantial scientific support. In the largest study to date on tail injuries in dogs the incidence was 0.23% and it was calculated that approximately 500 dogs need to be docked to prevent one tail
