Well I guess you would need proof from the new owners that the dog will be working. But you would need that proof when they are born because the vet will not (or Should not) do it after 2 or 3 days old.

Erm.. scuse me for being stupid but what are patterdales bred for again?

x

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dont think proof from the new owners is needed as they might not have homes. when my friend sister did it she did not have homes for many of her pups (but they are all sold now )

i have a patterdale.. they are bred for hunting things such as rats, rabbits and foxes even....

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So they are docked to prevent the tails from being bitten I assume! don't think this is quite what the vets would view as 'working' dogs with a valid reason to dock myself.

I think it is more to stop there tails being ripped open whilst working in brambles etc

i have no idea why there tails are docked, all i have been told is they should be docked quite short so if they get stuck in rabbit hole a man can grab tail to pull them out..
mine isnt a working patterdale. she just a pet, and yes, her tail is docked.

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Think that is springers a patterdale tail is not quite the same! and it that theory is correct why arn't labs docked?
I have had had three docked and one undocked by the way! I cannot imagine mine with a tail ever getting caught in undergrowth and she goes in plenty

Yeah I have heard that too, that sounds right to me
Yeah I was thinking about springers, for patterdales its what Marion said so you can pull them from a hole.

I have two patterdales btw one docked and one undocked

The only dogs that can be pulled out are westies and cairns, not jacks or patterdales like people think you can damage their tails that way. (I was told this by a vet and a guy who works and owns patts)

Springers are thinner flicky type tails where as labradors have long strong and thick tails plus the fur is shorter so barbs don't get stuck like they do with springers.

I know of a guy who owns a few working pats and 3 of his 5 all have tails, he told me that it truth it is rare that terriers injure their tails, springers bounce around in brambles and go here there and everywhere. Ratting dogs often go underground or across open fields rather than woodland area, so in truth they really don't need their tails docked.

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R.I.P Barney, I had 4 wonderful years with you, Thank you-29/04/06-25/11/09
The dog who saved my life
Proud owner of Maya, the Rescued Alaskan Malamute

http://www.dog-breeds-plus.com
Mine and My husband's Dog breed website

You have such a 'nice way' of putting it!
Spot on!!
DT