So if the dogs feel pain, and there is no functional reason behind tail and ear docking, why do people do it? At the end of the day, it truly is about organization-imposed breed standards and human preference. There may be a handful of dogs that require docking in some form for medical purposes, but they are the exception, not the rule.
Advocates of tail docking also claim that puppies do not feel the procedure, as their nerves ending are not fully developed. There are two ways to perform a tail docking procedure: a vet can cut through skin, cartilege, and bone to remove the tip, or they can place a rubber band-like ligature around the base of the tail, which cauess the tip to fall off in a few days. According to a 1996 study, both of these procedures cause puppies pain:
What are your thoughts on tail and ear docking? Do you think breed clubs should still impose these standards for contests? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In the U.S., both the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) condemn the practice, and they have done so for quite some time.
Clubs such as the AKC need to stop taking off points for entrants who do not meet the “breed requirements” of surgically altered tails and ears. The arguments presented by advocates of the practice are weak, veiled attempts at protecting procedures that ultimately hurt dogs more than help them.
When should Puppy tails be docked?
Tail docking surgery for dogs is ideally performed when your puppy is between 3-5 days of age, varying by breed and relative size of puppies at birth and is generally performed at the breeder’s request.
Is it illegal to remove a dog’s tail?
Ear-cropping and tail-docking are already prohibited in seven provinces either by law or regulatory bylaws. The decision on whether to operate is left up to individual animal doctors in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, even though veterinary groups in those provinces oppose such procedures in principle.
What is Dog Tail Docking and is it Legal?
Despite the fact that many countries have outlawed or restricted tail and ear docking, it is still a routine practice in the United States.