Docking

[Catalyst]

I know this is a very controversial topic.
But a little bit of fun/easy-going controversy is never a bad thing.

I feel that for some breeds it is a complete necessity, for example my chosen breed the Old English Sheepdog.
It's hard enough keeping the rear ends of these dogs clean in a full or clipped coat without the added hassle of a tail to matt into the haunches. I don't even want to think of that sight.
Docking has been banned for every breed in Australia as of June the 1st this year. BUT, we have NOT seen any sign of a new breed standard incorporating the tail. Can you imagine that big fluffy backside with a tail sticking out the end? The dog will move differently with a tail also, again a new standard needs to be set for that.

Although, I do believe that short haired breeds should be left natural.
But working dog breeds with a docked tail should also be kept IF they're in work.

Please, add any other ideas.

[lou3]

We had a BIG erm "heated debate"shall i say on this a short while ago, i think most of us were in agreement that it should not be done unnecessarily (ie on non-working or "pet" dogs, breeds no longer used for the purpose for which they were originally docked - such as jack russels since badger baiting is now illegal), and should never be done by anyone but a vet. And i'll leave that one there. Think we were all in agreement that ear cropping is purely cosmetic and therefore never necessary.

[goombaya]

by the way Lou whatever became of the announcement that crufts would ban docking?

Its interesting that the kennel club has come out publicly in favor of allowing docking/allowing breeders to choose.

[lou3]

No further news yet. So far all they've done is impose regulations so that judges cant penalise dogs that havent been docked and the kennel clud have re-written all breed standards to include a tail, as well as still having the old breed standards on file.
Takes a LOOONG time for anything to happen in the UK, an accidental leak like that this year could mean it'll be 5 years before they start to actively DO anything about it and 20 years before it actually changes! Thats how slowly every organisation seems to operate over here - unless they're doing something to damage the livelihoods of thousands of people - then it happens like a shot.