A docked tail is easy to recognize—the little nub wiggles excitedly back and forth. Tail docking has long been associated with the look of many dogs. However, it is also becoming a hot topic for animal rights activists and empathetic dog owners. Tail docking was once considered a necessity, but over the past ten years, many are questioning why we put puppies through this process.
Historically, cutting the tails off pups was done to prevent tail injuries, especially during a time when dogs worked for a living. Today, most dogs are companions, spending their time at home, with some occasionally working as show dogs. The growing opinion is that tail docking is a barbaric procedure done for no reason other than to make the dog “look” a certain way.
It is illegal for anyone other than a licensed veterinarian to dock a tail. However, there is a call to take action against vets who routinely dock tails of certain breeds for non-therapeutic reasons. Despite the many calls for harsher penalties, no criminal charges can currently be brought against a vet who performs tail docking upon request. Show dogs are often docked to maintain the look of the breed, and undocked tails can lower the puppy’s price.
Opponents of tail docking argue that it is a painful process. There are also potential problems later in life for dogs with unnecessarily docked tails, such as the development of scar tissue and infections, which could lead to future amputation.
Should Tail Docking Be Allowed?
The arguments for and against tail docking are equally strong. Taking away the aesthetic argument, proponents of tail docking point to the fact that dogs that would have been docked historically had a higher rate of tail injury. In 1989, Sweden eliminated the procedure, and within the first 18 months of life, 38% of registered undocked litters experienced a tail injury requiring medical care. By 1991, this number increased to 51%. However, these numbers are not conclusive, as there has been no comprehensive study comparing the frequency of tail injuries in naturally undocked dogs of other breeds. Some argue this study is incomplete and that the need for docking remains.
Some veterinarians claim that tail docking does not cause pain. In fact, some assert that puppies docked while sleeping have never even woken up during the process. Puppies are said to act and feed normally shortly after the procedure, leading some to argue that the perceived pain is just human assumption, without supporting evidence.
Most veterinarians no longer use surgical scissors to dock tails. Instead, a tight band is placed around the docking site within 24 hours of birth, cutting off blood flow and allowing the tail to fall away. Some consider this method more cruel than traditional snipping, while others compare it to the natural process of the human belly button detaching.
Certain terrier breeds, for example, are said to need their tails docked to prevent hygiene issues associated with defecation. With long, hairy tails that cannot be held high enough to keep the fecal matter away, these dogs can suffer from severe hygienic problems, including maggot infestations, even with regular bathing and brushing. This could create a surplus of unwanted dogs, as humans are reluctant to deal with such issues.
The Controversy Continues
There are certainly reasons both for and against tail docking. Many breeders advocate for the right to perform tail docking themselves and seek certification for the procedure. Laws regarding tail docking are much more stringent in the U.K. than in the U.S. Some in the U.S. view the U.K. as an experiment in the anti-docking movement, and they hope U.S. laws will adjust depending on the welfare of animals in the U.K.
The debate over tail docking will likely continue to be a hot topic among dog owners, breeders, and empathetic dog lovers. Of course, the pups involved would love to have a say, but their ability to communicate with their tails—whether docked or undocked—is simply not sophisticated enough. For now, the U.S. is watching the docked and undocked dog populations in the U.K. closely, and decisions regarding tail docking in the U.S. will be made over the next few years.
For those who wish to leave their new puppies’ tails intact, it’s always possible to ask the breeder. However, many breeders still believe docking is in the dog’s best interest. Some dog breeders refuse to sell puppies with undocked tails. If you’re adamant about wanting a full tail, you may have to either give up on your request or search for another breeder, which unfortunately means finding a different puppy.
For now, tail docking remains legal and is still quite common. Although show dogs with intact tails have been winning high awards, the movement to stop the procedure has not yet gained enough traction to stop the practice entirely.
