Dog Owners

Una · 20 Aug 2008 at 20:34

I want a husky, seriously lack of them in this thread

djmc0 · 20 Aug 2008 at 20:38

My Dog (Saffron - Bull Mastiff) looking kinda cool in some Christmas cracker sunglasses

krooton · 20 Aug 2008 at 21:26

Jon Frost said:
Because they're proper boxers .
Also he was born before the 'law' came in.

Yeah, as cruel as it is, it's weird for me to see a boxer with a full length tail

qqg3 · 20 Aug 2008 at 22:11

Border Terrier and a Collie cross something or other (might be labrador). Pics by me.

Tefal · 20 Aug 2008 at 22:16

why do they dock the tails on boxers? purely cosmetic or is there some old reason from when they used to work?

krooton · 20 Aug 2008 at 22:26

Tefal said:
why do they dock the tails on boxers? purely cosmetic or is there some old reason from when they used to work?

They were originally working dogs, so most likely, never asked my mom, but I know that for show purposes it used to be a requirement.

richyfingers · 20 Aug 2008 at 22:31

I’m sure I’ve posted these pics a few times before but here goes again.

Just over a year old, cocker spaniel and completely bonkers.

And my old dog skye, passed away over 3 years ago now

Sime · 20 Aug 2008 at 23:01

Our Lucy whos back at home

Miss her I do.

jongeeone · 20 Aug 2008 at 23:12

We need more Golden love.

Heres Ellie, 8 years old - daft as a brush.

Jon Frost · 20 Aug 2008 at 23:43

krooton said:
Yeah, as cruel as it is, it's weird for me to see a boxer with a full length tail

Here we go, people who have no idea on what 'dcoking' involves quote it as 'cruel'.

Docking is done at around the 3-5 day old stage, while the pups still have not opened their eyes. The tails are either 'snipped off' or tied off to stop blood flow. It really does not hurt them.

Anyway they are 'working dogs', mine spend a lot of time dragging logs about the forest, go camping with me, protect the house and live in and outside. They are kept for and do have a use.

Jon Frost · 20 Aug 2008 at 23:45

Tefal said:
why do they dock the tails on boxers? purely cosmetic or is there some old reason from when they used to work?

Used to dock dogs due to them being bred for bull baiting (back in the day), the tails of a boxer are very large and strong, often they break if left on the dog as they wag them around at quite a rate. docking got rid of that 'unused' part of the dogs body.

Gilly · 20 Aug 2008 at 23:54

Jon Frost said:
Here we go, people who have no idea on what 'dcoking' involves quote it as 'cruel'.

Docking is done at around the 3-5 day old stage, while the pups still have not opened their eyes. The tails are either 'snipped off' or tied off to stop blood flow. It really does not hurt them.

Anyway they are 'working dogs', mine spend a lot of time dragging logs about the forest, go camping with me, protect the house and live in and outside. They are kept for and do have a use.

I think it cruel because it is a big part of the way a dog expresses itself. Our lass doesn't agree.

How can you say that something being cut off an animal that can't even open it's eyes yet doesn't hurt it?

Why has legislation changed if it isn't cruel?

Jon Frost · 21 Aug 2008 at 00:02

Gilly said:
Why has legislation changed if it isn't cruel?

'public outcry'. why does anything change in this country.

Having seem pups 'docked' first hand, and I was quite 'unsure' about it prior to seeing it. It really isnt much of a deal at all.

IMHO anyway

J

Gilly · 21 Aug 2008 at 00:39

I don't have first hand experience so I'm not about to go all Daily Mail about it, but it seems to me depriving a dog of a means of expression for what these days is nothing more than our wants is still cruel - even if it is painless/humane for them (I remain to be convinced at this point, but as I say don't have any first hand experience)

taliesyn · 21 Aug 2008 at 12:08

Gilly said:
I don't have first hand experience so I'm not about to go all Daily Mail about it, but it seems to me depriving a dog of a means of expression for what these days is nothing more than our wants is still cruel - even if it is painless/humane for them (I remain to be convinced at this point, but as I say don't have any first hand experience)

Working dogs can still be docked. It's especially important for springer spaniels as they do crash through brush when they're working, simply because they're so enthusiastic. They can damage or seriously injure their tail quite badly whilst doing this, so it's in their interests to have it done.

If the dog is kept as a pet, then there's no necessity in my humble opinion to dock. Personally I am against docking for purely cosmetic reasons.

D.P. · 21 Aug 2008 at 12:33

taliesyn said:
Working dogs can still be docked. It's especially important for springer spaniels as they do crash through brush when they're working, simply because they're so enthusiastic. They can damage or seriously injure their tail quite badly whilst doing this, so it's in their interests to have it done.

If the dog is kept as a pet, then there's no necessity in my humble opinion to dock. Personally I am against docking for purely cosmetic reasons.

We've had springer spaniels with various docked and undocked tails.

I agree 100% that the tails should be docked. HAving seen how harmless the rpocedure is but at the pain and blood caused when an undocked tail is damaged, I think it would be immoral not to dock their tails. But they don't have to be docked too short, this allows them plenty of expression.

.Andy · 21 Aug 2008 at 12:42

Agree my working springer obviously has her tail docked we also trim her very close so as to reduce the amount of long hair branches, grass seeds etc etc can get caught in for her its all about reducing the risk of hurting herself whilst she's working.

Boscher · 21 Aug 2008 at 12:54

Lovely dog there Bry.

Why and how did they have his voicebox removed? Sounds terrible..

singist · 21 Aug 2008 at 13:26

This is what a Boxer tail looks like.

I've had Boxers for more than 50 years and she's the first to have a tail. There is absolutely NO need to have a Boxer docked, working or not.

Boxers, as we know them, have never baited a bear/bull or been used (legally) as fighting dogs; their very distant forebears, maybe ..... but not what we have today.

Docking tails is wrong and now illegal yet I still see loads of young docked, non working animals around.

tedaC · 21 Aug 2008 at 13:38

a few of my border collie (piper), just over 2 years of age now, well trained and a bit bonkers. Hate loud noises and chases motorbikes. Has one blue eye and one brown eye

after a game of football

getting ready to chase those sheep ( or maybe a frisby )

and dancing...