Image from kushwaha

Considering our stance on dying or coloring dogs, our readers probably know how we are going to feel about tail docking (don’t worry, we have a problem with ear cropping too, that’s a rant for another day).

C’Mon Give Us A Good One…

We’ve seen plenty of “reasons” why it is done and not one of them satisfies us. Anyone who has seen an actual tail docking (or the recovery process) will probably agree. Tails are the way they are for a reason, who are we to question Mother Nature & change them for our own benefit?

History of Docking

Originally docking was thought to help prevent rabies, strengthen back and increase speed. During early Gregorian times in the UK those who owned working dogs were taxed if they had tails. This legislation ended in 1796 but the barbaric practice persisted.

Modern Day Dockers

Modern day docking is done in two different types of dogs.

Hunting & Herding Dogs
Essentially any dog who works in the fields where their tails collect burrs and foxtails.

Guard Dogs
In several of the brute breeds commonly used for protection and guard dogs, tail docking (and often ear clipping) makes them look more aggressive.

However archaic this sounds, it is a breed registry standard in many cases.

Traditionally Docked Dog Breeds

Australian Silky
Australian Shepherd
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Bracco Italiano
Brittany
Cane Corsa
Dobermann
German Pointer (short & wire haired)
Griffon Bruxellois
Hungarian vizsla
Italian Spinone
Large Munsterlander
Neopolitan mastiff
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pinscher
Poodle
Rottweiler
Schipperke
Schnauzer
Spanish Water Dog
Swedish vallhund
Weimaraner

Sheepdogs
Old English Sheepdog | Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Spaniels
American Cocker Spaniel | Clumber Spaniel | Cocker Spaniel | English Springer Spaniel | Field Spaniel | King Charles Spaniel | Sussex Spaniel | Welsh Springer Spaniel

Terriers
Airedale Terrier | Australian Terrier | Fell Terrier | Glen of Imaal Terrier | Irish Terrier | Jack Russell Terrier | Kerry Blue Terrier | Lucas Terrier | Norfolk Terrier | Norwich Terrier | Patterdale Terrier | Russian Black Terrier | Sealyham Terrier |Smooth Fox Terrier | Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier | Welsh Terrier | Wire-haired Fox Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier

Countries That Have Banned Tail Docking (You guys rock!)

The countries below do not allow tail docking.

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• France
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Scotland
• Slovakia
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Virgin Islands

There are other countries with partial bans – in specific areas, pertaining to specific breeds or a ban on cosmetic docking.

Listen To The Pros

If you want more information about tail docking and how (most) veterinarians view the practice.

• World Small Animal Veterinary Association
• British Veterinary Association
• South Africa Veterinary Council
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

Want The Real Deal?

Check out the natural shapes of the dog tail world by learning some of the dog tail shape basics.

Animal lovers in general we are very opposed to this type of adornment. Seriously, these dogs are beautiful just the way they are. Dying them to satisfy our own egos is just wrong.

Chemicals Are Painful

Dye is caustic by nature, if it stains it has to be strong. Coloring can burn an animals skin, burn their eyes and puts them through an uncomfortable and unnatural process.

Not to mention a dogs sense of smell is incredibly powerful – think about how dye hurts your nose, then magnify that 100s of times to consider how it affects their fragile nasal membranes.

Even the Safe Stuff is Wrong

I know that most professionals use food coloring or beet juice to dye their animals. While this may seem like a responsible way to do it, dogs skin is sensitive and they can have an allergic reaction to anything.

Plus, not all professionals follow the rules, which means that putting your animal in the hands of a groomer could mean indirect abuse.

Dye Your Own Hair & Leave Your Dog Alone

Health issues aside, animals have feelings too. Holding them down to force your will and aesthetic demands upon them is sort of barbaric and intensely disrespectful.

Dyed fur is of absolutely NO benefit to a dog. If you need a change, dye your own hair.

Prime Examples

I target poodles here, simply because they are the most often dyed of the canine family – but many different breeds are affected by this practice.

Poor poodles, as if their freaky haircuts weren’t punishment enough.

Top image from privatjokr