Why some dogs need to remove their tails?

Tail docking in dogs originated as a "useful" means of keeping the dog from getting hurt. This was originally done to breeds that faced dangers of getting the tail either broken or bitten, depending on what the original purpose for the breed was. What has happened in the meantime is that as Dog Shows became popular, the dogs that frequently had their tails docked (as well as the breeds that got their ears cropped too, which was started for the same reasoning - to keep the ears from being bitten off) for working purposes and/or sport were shown that way since that's the way the dog was used in the field or whatever it was that was done with each breed. So it eventually became a requirement of show dogs and it's a "standard" thing now. It gets done regardless of whether the dogs are show dogs or not, because that's how people are used to seeing those dogs. Personally, I really dislike it, and I hate seeing it done - they cut the tails off the puppies when they're between 2 and 5 days old, usually - but I don't think it's half as barbaric as ear cropping. The tail docking is done so young, before the bones have fully hardened, and a local anesthetic is used (if it's done right, at least). Ear cropping, however, is not usually done until the pup is about 8 weeks since it has to be done under a general anesthetic and it HURTS! It's messy and bloody and hurts, for weeks afterward. It's a disgusting practice and I believe one that is soon going to be made illegal as the show organizations have already begun to accept in dogs that are not "cropped and docked".

youless thats the same question I have asked why on earth would having an inate part of his god given body removed make a dog less naughty. thats just plain ridiculous, yes a very strange answer. I think the tail plays an intrinsic part of y our dog, when he wags his tail he is friendly when he holds it out stiff he is angry or fri ghtened and when hr curls his tail between his legs, he is horribly scared of something. a tail belongs on a dog for goodness sakes.

From what the old folks told us that if you were to remove the dog's tail, she will become fierce and is better and will protect the owner. I believe this is just some believe in those old day and it was happen in those day in the place where I growth up. Now if you were to remove the tail of the dog, you will probably be sue for torturing animal...

In my country there is the belief that a dog that had his tail docked is more vicious. But this is not true. They might look vicious , but their temperament doesn't change at all after the tail docking. There are some breeds of dogs that needed to have their tail docked. I'm talking about dogs that went hunting. A long tail can suffer injuries during a hunt if left undocked. This is the main reason a hunting dog has the tail docked. But most of nowdays dogs don't go hunting, so tail docking is no longer justified. Yet, there are some dogs that can suffer injuries at their tail even if they don't go hunting. I'm talking about Hungarian Vizsla, a breed of dogs that have a long tail. Two-thirds of the Vizsla's tail is strong and thick, but the last one-third of the tail is very thin and whip-like. As the dog wag his tail vigorously, it is susceptible to splitting and bleeding. Once the tail is damaged, it often does not heal appropriately and may eventually have to be amputated. That's why Vizslas usually have their tail docked at a very young age, when the nerve structure to the tail is not yet developed and the procedure does not cause undue pain.

Hello I have rottweler dog,her name is lucy she has a docked tail. I have to cheak her tail regular,To make sure she has no sist or abcess on it,My local vet cheaks it as well.It is against the law in N.S.W Australia to dock tails Now,This law came in five years ago,When I first got lucy around then.I also think this is creul to dogs.

I think dogs should remove their tails because it makes them act up... and if they fight it can seriously hurt them... and tails are ugly

Some dogs need their tails removed for working, hunting, show. Another reason, the bigger dogs would have tails longer than thier bodies and about 2 in plus in diameter. Try getting hit with that or have the dog running around your house with such a weapon. Then if u r a male. Humhum yah

well, i don't think it is a big matter for dogs as people often remove their tails after their birth, therefore, they have no pain or feeling about it. Maybe someone will think dogs will have the rights to live in their natural and real way, people should not deprive their rights. However, i don't think. Since human being is the greatest living things in the universe, we have enough intelligence to provide a more beautiful image for other animals. All of us want to be charming, why not them if this doesn't hurt them at all?

It is very cruel those people remove the dogs' tails.

When they feel bore, they can do like that........ We must teach dancing on POP songs.. hahahhaha.

I am a doberman and mini pincher breeder.Dobermans had their tail dock 3 days after their birth.There are many debates about this,in Europe tail docking is not allowed but here in the Philippines still we do it,maybe that's the hallmark of being called to be a doberman.When a doberman is not having a tail dock and ear crop,it's not nice to look at.

Its only for the benefit of their owner not for the dog. They really don't need their tail to be cut off. Their owner just want them to look good. I don't think it has something to do with them being naughty. There are really times that they need to do it to propagate.

I don't understand the reasoning as well. Tails will not cause any health problem to the dog and some breed, they look beautiful with the tail. My only guess is that vanity is the reason why the owner cut the tail off.

There is no good reason for it, like others already pointed out. Some people just don't like the look of tails, which is why they do this. I think it is a horrible practice, and people who do it are just cruel.

No dog NEEDS to have their tail removed. People 'dock' (remove/shorten) their dogs tails because they think it makes them look cooler or meaner or whatever. People do the same with dogs ears (mostly done to pit bulls). They think it makes the dogs look more vicious. There is no good excuse to dock a dogs tail or ears, it is not necessary.

As said before they remove their tails to improve their looks depending on their race. Some smaller dogs have them removed too to have a cleaner look. Thankfully my puppies are always born with a half cut tale. So when i give them away they dont have the risk of getting it cut off.