yes but that is only to show the working ability not to 'show' them

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i have had working spaniels all my life they all had docked tails up to my last springer who was a rescued from SYESSR and she had a long tail we had her for 11 years from 18 months until we lost her to cancer last june.
she was always getting it caught when the woods, but after a bath & a brush it always looked nice.
the 2 springers i,ve now rescued both have docked tails.

we have a dog in the rescue waiting to be rehomed had a undocked tail when brought by his owners then they changed they minds and tried to dock his tail them selfs. which then caused great sufering for the dog which has left him with no control over his motion's. which means no one wants to rehome him has he'll always to live outside.

so i'm all for the banning of tail docking.

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I'm sort of on the fence about tail docking as long as it's done by a professional and when the pup is first born. Working dogs often fare better without their tails to get caught in brambles and other such nasties.

What I am 100% against is ear cropping. There is no justification - ever - of doing this, it is purely cosmetic, cruel and inhumane.

i still say it should be up to the owner

I'm on the fence with this one - but I have to say, after reading some of the statements in here its made me change some of the ways I used to think.
Great Thread!

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I make no apologies at all for my remarks on this subject, since it is animal cruelty for the reasons that I have outlined previously.

It has nothing to do with opinions at all, it is fact, which has now been made law.

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Sorry, I thought that I should copy over my remarks from the previous thread. So here goes.

I was both saddened and dismayed to read the poll on tail docking, since it appears that some people still believe that this barbaric practice should remain.

I know that I have been accused of pushing my opinion in the past, but this is NOT opinion, it is fact, now backed up by law.

Banding, is when a ligature is placed over the end of the puppies tail, which comes away after 3 days, or removing with scissors. This procedure is performed without anesthetic since it is too harmful to puppies. Since scientific evidence states that a puppies nervous system is fully developed, it therefore will experience severe pain and distress. In severe cases infection can lead to death.

Pro dockers state that tails would be removed to maintain breed standard or to avoid tail damage. Perhaps a pro docker could explain why Retrievers and Setters (both working dogs), who are bred to hunt throughout all kinds of terrain, are allowed to keep their tails? What of breed standard. Is is right that we should make the decision to dock a tail because we feel it is more pleasing to our eyes!

Tails are a VITAL form of communication. Used to denote moods such as excitement, fear etc. Docking was also associated with numerous heath problems such as incontinence in bitches where muscles that help control urination are weakened.

This is NOT opinion, this is fact, hence it is now illegal. I cannot understand how anyone who purports to love animals can condone this form of cruelty.

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not docking retreivers tails has always confused me. docking purely for breed standard is a load of rubbish as there is just no point in it and shouldn't breed standard be how the dog looks naturaly?

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In all honesty Nina, no-one gives a monkeys what you say. People have different opinions on the matter and thats that!
Do you honestly think anyone is worried that you are saddened or dismayed by the poll!?
The idea is to say your opinion on the matter, not ram it down peoples throats!
I think you get a bit above your station at times.

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Lifes roads are for journeys, not destinations!

agreed..