Docked or not??

Jimy1971 · 02-07-2014 09:28PM #1

Quick question for the Springer men on here. Which do you prefer, tail docked or not ? Reason I'm asking is my bitch is due tomorrow and can't decide myself. She has only a few inches docked off the end of her tail but some lads don't like that and prefer short tails. Will be selling some of the pups so want to know what the majority prefer.

Thanks for looking.

.17hmr · 02-07-2014 10:02PM

As a person who has hunted with springers with docked and non docked tails i personaly wouldnt buy a dog with a full tail ever again .i am sure this will cause some conflick with some but i would rather have a fit and healthy docked tail than bloody and sore .

but thats just me.

Kiltris · 02-07-2014 10:24PM

Docked! I dock all my pups, as controversial as that may be, I think its more practical. If their from hunting stock then 99% of potential buyers will prefer a docked tail.

As a general rule of thumb I would leave a tail the width of two fingers, docking at two days old, it roughly leaves a tail 5-6" long when fully grown.

Jimbob79 · 03-07-2014 12:16AM

Docked. And docked short. One of my lad is docked. But because the breeder thought trailing men like to see a bit of white he didn't dock enough. Dogs tail does get sore and bleeds. This often happens in the run from the way he sits & wags his tail. Neverind when he's hunting. The other springer I have is docked to 2-3 inches. Haven't had any problems with get.

So defenitely Docked.

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 12:42AM

Docked and as a rule of thumb just to be clear the general practice is to dock the tail in line with the hock or knee joint on back leg .

Kiltris · 03-07-2014 08:19AM

I suppose it all comes down to personal preference really, but at the end of the day I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that long tails will eventually lead to more distress for a hunting dog than the initial docking itself.

Mr_Red · 03-07-2014 08:25AM

Who does the docking?

Capercaille · 03-07-2014 09:21AM

Mr_Red wrote: »

Who does the docking?

Illegal now for vets, so owner I presume (Illegal for owner as well though).

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 10:29AM

Capercaille wrote: »

Illegal now for vets, so owner I presume (Illegal for owner as well though).

No it not !!

Jimy1971 · 03-07-2014 10:33AM

Just another question around the legal side of things. When I'm registering the litter ( first I have bred) will I be asked if they are docked or not?

Capercaille · 03-07-2014 11:04AM

TriggerPL wrote: »

No it not !!

New legislation by Minister Coveney makes it illegal for Vets to dock tails, unless for medical resions (ie fractured tail etc). Also illegal for lay-person to dock tail. Ask your vet. Working dogs IMO should be exempt though.

deeksofdoom · 03-07-2014 11:32AM

TriggerPL wrote: »

Docked and as a rule of thumb just to be clear the general practice is to dock the tail in line with the hock or knee joint on back leg .

I'ld go with this, this is how I docked mine.

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 01:39PM

Capercaille wrote: »

New legislation by Minister Coveney makes it illegal for Vets to dock tails, unless for medical resions (ie fractured tail etc). Also illegal for lay-person to dock tail. Ask your vet. Working dogs IMO should be exempt though.

Mayb u should read it again cause the new regulations have a section it it that allows for hunting breeds .

endacl · 03-07-2014 01:41PM

Not docked. Why? Because dogs have tails.

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 01:54PM

endacl wrote: »

Not docked. Why? Because dogs have tails.

Do u hunt spaniels ??

endacl · 03-07-2014 01:57PM

TriggerPL wrote: »

Do u hunt spaniels ??

No. Uncle used to. I'm not an anti, by the way. I just don't get the advantage. My uncle never did either.

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 02:02PM

Well he must not of done much ! It's widely documented that the undock spaniel is far more open to cutting/wounding of a tail when left undocked ! In spaniels this is not done for looks but for a reason .

Prolong the spaniels hunting life , and reduce the risk of infection due to a cut in the tail !

Numerous lads ere have posted pic of tails damage from heavy cover !

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 02:10PM

4. (1) For the purposes of section 16 of the Act, a veterinary practitioner or a veterinary nurse (within the meaning of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005) may remove the tail or part of the tail or the dew claws of a pointer, spaniel or terrier in respect of which that part of a declaration that is to be completed by the owner or person having possession or control of the dog has been completed by the owner or person having possession or control of the dog, if—

Jimy1971 · 03-07-2014 02:19PM

Trigger, do I inform the IKC if I dock my springer pups when I register them ? Sorry for the stupid question but as I've said it's the first time I've bred pups.

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 02:44PM

Mate that I'm not sure of ! But I'm trying to find out should have an ans shortly

donacarney · 03-07-2014 06:42PM

I like docked tails, anyone know if a tail is docked short can u still trial the dog or does it have to be 3/4 ?

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 10:24PM

Yea you can still trail the dog , but why would u dock the tail short it looks terrible ?

donacarney · 03-07-2014 10:41PM

TriggerPL wrote: »

Yea you can still trail the dog , but why would u dock the tail short it looks terrible ?

Ah yeah the stumpy ones do look terrible, but a good 5" ones are nice

snipe49 · 03-07-2014 10:51PM

Jimy1971 wrote: »

Quick question for the Springer men on here. Which do you prefer, tail docked or not ? Reason I'm asking is my bitch is due tomorrow and can't decide myself. She has only a few inches docked off the end of her tail but some lads don't like that and prefer short tails. Will be selling some of the pups so want to know what the majority prefer.

Thanks for looking.

On this i would say nothing lads. You dont know who might be watching.;)

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 11:06PM

donacarney wrote: »

Ah yeah the stumpy ones do look terrible, but a good 5" ones are nice

The general rule is in line with the knee joint ! So normally a lot longer than 5 inches in an adult dog .

donacarney · 03-07-2014 11:15PM

TriggerPL wrote: »

The general rule is in line with the knee joint ! So normally a lot longer than 5 inches in an adult dog .

So would a pup docked in line with the knee joint be classed as a 3/4 length?

TriggerPL · 03-07-2014 11:23PM

It's depends on the size of the dog , that's why they go with the knee joint , and ur docking these tails at 2-3 days old so there not even 5 inches so no way of saying that when there older that the tail will be a certain lengh !

donacarney · 07-07-2014 07:50PM

Jimy1971 wrote: »

Quick question for the Springer men on here. Which do you prefer, tail docked or not ? Reason I'm asking is my bitch is due tomorrow and can't decide myself. She has only a few inches docked off the end of her tail but some lads don't like that and prefer short tails. Will be selling some of the pups so want to know what the majority prefer.

Thanks for looking.

Just wondering what did u end up doing with the pups tails ?

Jimy1971 · 07-07-2014 07:57PM

donacarney wrote: »

Just wondering what did u end up doing with the pups tails ?

They were only born last night lad. Was asking for when I'm selling them. Probably go with docked.

donacarney · 07-07-2014 08:02PM

Jimy1971 wrote: »

They were only born last night lad. Was asking for when I'm selling them. Probably go with docked.

Ah grand nice one.Will u dock to the knee joint or go shorter.

maggiepip · 08-07-2014 11:02AM

Jimy1971 wrote: »

They were only born last night lad. Was asking for when I'm selling them. Probably go with docked.

You'll need to get a vet to do that then or you're breaking the law. I would also imagine you may need some paperwork from the vet to prove it was a legal docking.

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Docked or not??

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