A wolf has a full tail, and the scrapes wolves get into in their daily lives must be horrendous, I don't remember ever seeing packs of wolves with broken tails, I am not entirely convinced that docking is ever necessary.

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Lauren

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Wolves have different tails compared to say springers or boxers but malamutes and huskies share a simular tail and those are never docked because they are obviously stronger and less likely to get damaged.

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I did actually see a boxer with a broken tail about 20 years ago! It belonged to a 'then' neighbour of ours who for some reason had aquired this dog undocked!!! It smashed the glass in the front door and did actually create loads of damage in the house - and due to a break ended up being docked anyway - albeit in the wrong place due maybe to it's age! I do think now that breeders are trying to get litters docked because due to their 'rariety' they are under the misconception that the pups will achieve a higher price!
and imo this is discusting!!!
DT

a docked working pup does not command a higher price its just more likely to be brought to do what it has been bred for and normally a lower price

Don't be mad sweetie I have a docked dog and and undocked dog! they are both capable of doing the exact same job! and docked dogs do demand a higher price!
lol
DT

im sorry but not in the case of patterdales and terriers in general ,the only increase i've seen in prices is to cover vets fees about £15 per pup

So let us just take a look at patterdales then! how many are there in the UK, and how many are actually working? Sorry - But I think that owning a docked dog is fast becoming a status symble.

IMO - the only dog that should be docked is an ESS - and yes! I have seen these dogs with damaged tails
DT

I really cant get my head around this theory about working dogs damaging their tails,Untill last year when my last one died I have always had a dalmatian,now anyone that knows dalmatians they will know they never stop wagging their tails.in the 25 yrs I had them not once did I have a damaged tail on any of them.And yes they used to crash through the undergrowth.
My uncle has working springers and working cockers, he has never docked any of his dogs and again in all the years he has had them not once has he had a tail injury

I have a feeling if any of your patterdales went into a pet home and someone reported a puppy in a pet home with a docked tail you would be in trouble

i have mentioed the breed if you look at the posts, and yes i have homes lined up for the pups working homes which are friends and fellow terrier men. I AM NOT DOCKING TO MAKE MONEY.

there are many many patts working in this country as lakeland fells and russells ,the main law seems to be you cannot show the dogs where admisson is charged at the gate for general public ,and even champs shows are now taking the charge off so dogs can still be shown or pups are judged outside the show ground at gamefairs (to keep inside the law) i,m not arguing with you i no longer dock my russells and have been very lucky that there tails are no longer than borders ,but people are still docking terriers that work within the law