Why do certain breeds of dogs have their tails clipped? is this necessary?

Question

Why do certain breeds of dogs have their tails clipped? is this necessary?

Answer 1

It used to be CONSIDERED necessary.  Now it's not, unless you're going to show the dog to a grand championship and the breed standard requires it.

Most people who own an English Setter are not hunting it in heavy brush, most people who own a Doberman are not using it as a night watchdog, and most people who own a Rottie are not taking it to war.

So if the dog is a pet, and only a pet, why bother to dock the tail?  My opinion...

Answer 2

it it never necessary. It is only cosmetic.

Answer 3

    The practice of docking a tail was originally used for dogs in the field, on the hunt, and on farms. The tails would collect f***s and burrs while also becoming matting and tangled and this eliminated those problems. Dogs on the hunt could also have their tails severed or damaged by fences and wire while guard dogs also were docked to increase the look of their fierceness.

     Nowadays it is mostly used for cosmetic purposes and is considered inhumane by many. It is not by any means necessary and is becoming illegal in selected countries.

Answer 4

Tail docking? It's not. It's the owner's selfish decision to make their dog "cute" to their standards. I think if you're going to have a certain breed or animals for that matter you should already love it and accept it for the way it looks and is. I doubt a dog cares about how his/her tail or ears look, if you want to change something cosmetically..do it on yourself not your dog.

Answer 5

For many working breeds.. yes docking did serve a purpose.  Most dogs docked today are done purely for cosmetic reasons tho.

A tail injury can be very painful, and often requires amputation.  It was easier and less painful to dock as a young pup instead of risking a tail injury later in life.

Answer 6

Sporting dogs have there tails docked, so they don't get caught in the brusch and grass when hunting, and so it doesn't make so much noise.  

There are over 50 breeds of dogs that normally have there tails docked.

The original reason for docked tails is well documented, for some, the reasons have been lost over time.

Answer 7

It is called docking.  And it is sometimes necessary.  Some hunting dogs have their tails docked so that their tail does not become entangled in underbrush.  Guard dogs are docked so that an intruder can't grab them by the tail and injure them.

It would be a lot more painful for the dog to have it ripped off then have it docked as a puppy.  

For show dogs, it is cosmetic, and although not really necessary for pets today, it does/did serve a purpose.

Answer 8

We rescued a dog and he had his tail docked because he is a great dane and his previous owner didn't want his big tail slapping his young children in the face or clearing off the coffee table. It was not necessary though. I have also heard of people doing it so it someone came to the door they could not tell that the dog was happy to see them or if the dog was mean. A wagging tail is usually a sign of a friendly dog.