Originally Posted by Nina

I have posted on this subject numerous times, so I think my views are well known.

A dogs tail is a vital part of his communication, he was born with a tail and should die with a tail. I totally agree with the following taken from Dog's Trust website -

The British Veterinary Association, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the RCVS are all opposed to the docking of puppies’ tails. Veterinary bodies and welfare organisations such as Dogs Trust believe that puppies are caused unnecessary pain as a result of docking and are deprived of a vital form of canine expression.

Tails are docked either by ‘banding’ where a ligature is placed over the end of the tail which ‘comes away’ after 3 days, or by cutting off with surgical scissors. Where tails are cut off, stitches may be needed for larger breeds.
The procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic (which would be too dangerous) at between three to five days of age. Complications in docking can lead to the death of the puppy and the tail stump may be painful in later life due to the formation of scar tissue.

Pro-dockers, such as the Council of Docked Breeds, claim that long experience indicates that, carried out correctly, the procedure causes no pain or discomfort.

Long experience? I think I’d prefer to believe in scientific evidence!