Do a dog need a tail ?

I am not a canine specialist but my friend is and she explained to me that some hunting breeds need to have their tail docked. They say some hunting dogs can hurt their tails so bad during hunting that hunters prefer to remove the tail instead of loosing their dogs because of intense bleeding in case of an accident. I'm afraid the cocker spaniel is one of these breeds, that's why people are used to see them without a tail rather than with a long tail. If your mother has no plans to take the puppy to the field for hunting, I see no reason for her to cut the puppy's tail.

Your mother is very practical because dogs really can exist without its tail.The dog tail is just an added attraction to the features of a dog.You can still detect the dog is happy when it notices you within its behind is almost wagging but it is more noticeable with the tail movements.I have puppies with cut tails like doberman, chihuahua and boxer dogs.It looks elegant without its tail.Do you agree with me?

I've never figured out why 'we' do that to some breeds of dogs, here in the usa. And then when they wag their tail, they look so pathetic! Poor pooches! I think they need their tail! It's part of their emotional make up to say nothing of it being a body part!

Hi, firstly all tail docking should be done within the first 5 days of the puppies life Your mother is incorrect when she says she cannot assess the quality of the puppy with a tail, that is nonsense. Only Spaniels that are used for hunting, otherwise there is no point So, if this dog is to be a pet, then docking the tail is foolish all the best urban

I'm sorry, Shan, I cannot help you to let your mum understand. I'm also sorry for the little puppy. I'm not a specialist but I also think that if a dog is born with a tail nobody should cut this tail. Here is what I found in Internet, you can show this to your mum and maybe it will help. http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070811062939AA3VhTe ""The docking of dogs tails is a practice which has been carried out for centuries in order to avoid tail damage, for hygiene and other reasons. Today there are over fifty traditionally docked breeds which are recognised by various Kennel Clubs. But docking has, in recent years, come under the scrutiny of the veterinary establishment, which has condemned the practice as an 'unjustified mutilation'. " Hope that answers your question."

A dog's tail is an extension to the spine. It helps them to keep balance when they run. Moreover, a dog's tail position and motion is incorporated as a component of a complex system of body language that domestic dogs use to show excitement or agitation.

Tail docking is completely banned in many countries, including India, and restricted in some others but not in Sri Lanka: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_%28dog%29#Legal_status_of_dog_tail_docking_and_ear_cropping_by_country It is an unnecessary practice in most cases and more or less painful and cruel depending on the dog and how the docking is done. Many dogs use their tails for balance when running and, most importantly, it is a vital part of their communication with other dogs. Docking the tail would be somewhat equivalent to cutting someone's tongue out, in a sense!

Ohh no please don't, i would cry if I saw a dog cutting his tail. I couldn't think that my Odie has lost his beautiful tail. Please advice your mom not too cut it. Please have pity with those animals.

owlwings said it all in the first response, and very well said, too! I HATE it when people do that to an animal. It is a horrible thing. When I was a child we had a breed of dog that it was very common for owners to cut off the tail at that time (many years ago) and I still remember my family having a talk about this, Usually my parents were fairly autocratic and did not consult the children in their decisions, but this dog was a birthday present for my brother and to our surprise they asked him how he felt about that and he said he did not want the dog's tail cut off and I was so happy. Every day I stroked the dog's tail and said "We will never cut off your tail!" When that dog got big the tail was very strong and sometimes he got excited and knocked things over with his wagging tail, but we loved him and never scolded him for that and we were always glad that we did not mutilate him. I am glad to know that now it is illegal in many countries to harm the dog like that because in addition to being painful and unnecessary, it does hurt their balance. Good luck in persuading your mom.

Hi there, I'm not sure the way it's viewed in other countries and cultures, but here in America it probably depends on the breed of dog. I don't think many dogs have their tails cut. Just this summer I heard of certain types of dogs having their ears clipped. Maybe they get too long or something. Maybe it's the same way with tails? I think a dog should have a tail, though! I have a terrier mix, and her tail is about 6-8 inches long. I also have a lab retriever mix, and her tail is probably a little over a foot long. I like that they have tails because when they see my husband or me, their tails start wagging like crazy! I think a dog has a right to wag that tail! It shows when they're happy. It's part of their personality just like their ears. I'm not sure why your mom wants to cut the tail of your puppy, but if that's how it's done, I'd say do it while the puppy is young so he or she can heal quickly and be sure it doesn't get infected if there are any stitches involved. I don't know anything about cutting tails on dogs, but I think dogs look silly without them! If you like your dog with the tail, I hope your mom changes her mind!

Whatever the reason, I am personally do not agree with such act (cut a tail of dog). We don't have right to do that. I am very sad if your mom has done it.

Omigosh! Wouldn't that be cruelty to animals? I mean, if it's part of his body, it would surely hurt. Would you cut its legs? Or ears?

It's not a right thing to cut the tail of a puppy. Please continue to persuade your mother to stop the cruelty to animals. Tell her that the Creator had given them tail because it has a purpose. very essential part of the body to give them balance when go running and to express their emotion. It's really hurt when the bone hits but much when cut.

I don't think we are entitled with any right to cut a dog's tail.It would be cruel and inhumane.Tail is a vital part of a dog's body.It helps the dog maintain balance while walking and running and,in a way,express their feelings.Although I can't tell much about the importance of tail in the body of a dog,but one thing is certain,none of our body parts is useless.A dog is given a tail not without any reason.

Hi Shan93, it must be very hurt to the little sweetie the time the tail is being cutting. Really cruel to do such a cruelty to the adorable pity puppy! I don't have the heart to see such situation happening. I don't think the puppy would look better with shorter tail. I would do my best to protect the puppy and no is allowed to do any cruelty to it. I would plead with my mom endlessly for not to cut its tail, until she succumbs to ... I will tell her and make her to realize how hurt as well as not natural to pursue what the so-called beauty to remove the valuable flesh and blood from from the body Happy posting

I think that animals having their tails cut off is horrible. It has got to be painful for them when they have their tails docked. My parents used to breed boston terriers and typically they always had docked tails. My mother never docked any of her dogs tails. Perhaps she could have sold them for more if she had but I'm glad she never chose to dock them.

Cocker Spaniels normally have the dew claws and tails cut while their eyes are still closed. I do know the dew claws are because of grooming but i dont know why the tails. Just a breed thing. I believe it had somthing to do with hunting.

Nature put the tail on the dog so let the dog have it's tail! it's there for a purpose...we humans have 5 fingers in each hand so we have a use for each of them...so I guess a dog have a tail because it need to!!!!

I don't believe that a dog without a tail is well! you should say to your mum. The dog is only beautiful if he's perfect with his natural body.

Although it is common, cutting off your dogs tail can outweigh their balance and make them less sturdy. Plus, I think tails are cute... Don't cut off your pups tail :(