It's occurred to me that I see an awful lot of dogs with docked tail around. Proper sized dogs - not the rodents-on-ropes.

What is the rationale behind this? to me it seems akin to lopping a limb off.

I seem to recall the practice is illegal in the UK

Does anyone know why Canadian dog owners would do this? Is there anyone out there with a tailess dog that can try and explain the rationale?

They need them to make small boys. I'm surprised you didn't know this given you are supposedly able to teach science.

Ah perhaps it is this lack of knowledge in the ways of all things canaian that makes it so tricky to get my qualifications and years ofvexperience recognized .

Now I understand all

Perhaps they're Jewish?

Nah ,no skull cap . And they were out on the sabbath

It was your reference to Canaian which suggested the possibility.

too much communion wine I fear , sir

Tail docking and ear...whats it called "trimming" is still allowed in canada!! hence some dogs - Dobies with v sticky up pointy ears makes em look hard apparently = but can cause awful ear probs !

We own a breed that is a working dog. As such their tails are docked shortly after birth as the chance of them 'working' is very high.

Apparently in this breed, in Europe there have been documented cases of the dog damaging it's tail both at home and in the field when it is it's normal length - personally I think this can happen with any dog with a high energy level. So I don't really see that as a viable arguement over there as why working breeds should have their tails docked.

I agree with it for working reasons, on breeds like springers that could get it caught in the brush, and even on non working dogs with super long hair (so the poo doesn't get stuck in it).

On all other breeds, I don't disagree but it's probably not necessary.

Tail docking and ear cutting for cosmetic purposes is banned in Nova Scotia.

If you think tail docking is bad then how about declawing cats - not only do they remove the claws, they also remove the top bone of the paws so it is actually an amputation

I have two rodents on ropes, one that I brough with me from Wales who has his tail, the other a rescue dog from Regina who doesn't. I wouldn't out of choice doc a dogs tail but it doesn't hurt Scoobie and that's all that matters.

I do however object to dogs being de-barked I went to a yard sale last summer where there were two Shelties that had been de-barked - it was the most haunting thing I have ever heard, I had to leave the house becasue I couldn't listen to the "noise'

OOOh I often threaten to tie my dogs vocal chords - didnt know it could really be done!!

We have one cat that was declawed (he was a rescue cat and it was done before we got him) -the poor thing still tries to sharpen his claws

Both my dogs have docked tails. It wasn't my choice - that's how they came. I don't know the rationale behind it at all - seems silly, and pointless to me.

But regardless, I love their little stumps as they wag - like a little helicopter trying to take off!

That is exactly why there is history of dogs tails being docked, to prevent injury when they are working. Long haired doggies can get their poop shoots trimmed up to prevent danglies.

I have heard shelties trying to bark, poor things sound as though they are in pain but I suppose if the other option is the dog being sent to a shelter or being put down then being debarked is the lesser of those evils.