Hello All

[djmallender@yahoo.co.uk]

Hello All

Just as an intro to me, there finally we have done it . No more cosmetic docking how cruel was that. We in Britain are trying hard to bring animal welfare into the 21st century. Corgis deserve their tails thats how they communicate they were born with them for heavens sake. To those in other countries still to move on, showing of cosmetic docked breeds is now banned at the biggest dog show in the world Crufts.

Many many dogs are now shown undocked from European countries good for them. All British born dogs born after 6th April 2006 will be shown undocked. To New Zealand how do you intend to compete if at all. What isolation is that. How is your record on other animal welfare issues? Particularly agricultural animals once caught up for market. Perhaps we need to look into that point.

Corgis we love you and your tails.

[Jane Austen]

Welcome to gocorgi! I think you will find you have an unpopular opinion on this website about tail docking. You probably are aware of that. And do I detect a "chip on your shoulder"?
While I previously believed that Corgis were born tailless and I didn't like the docking of other animals, I do not want to see Pembroke corgis with a tail. My Duchess is adorable with out a tail and very expressive when she wriggles.
If I thought that docking at an early age were painfull I would support you on your view. But I have come to believe that it is not painful, there are more Pros than Cons to docking Pembroke corgis.
Not the major concern but one of the reasons is that Duchess gets under foot a lot, if there were a tail there it would get a bit of stepping on. How painful that would be? Another point that comes to mind is that Duchess sometimes has a bit of "poop" stick in her fur. Without a tail it is easier for me to see and to clean up.
I know I am not going to change your mind, and I have to say I do admire your voicing your concern. I want to welcome you as a friend and a fellow animal lover.

[glencorgi]

Spot on Jane in your observations. I find nothing regarding animal welfare in the rant, merely a lot of stereotypic animal rights rhetoric based in emotion and nothing founded in true knowledge of husbandry practices that are for true animal welfare.

Pembrokes, historically, are a naturally bobbed breed. The practice of docking is partially to maintain breed type, but form follows function reasons can be found as well. Pembrokeshire is a coastal area with ports. One work that Pembrokes were known to do was to move stock in the pen holding areas. Pens were small and in those confines a tail could easily be injured and an injured tail is not a put a bandaid on it and all is well type injury. The docked tails prevented these type injuries and preserved the health of the working dog. How isn't that animal welfare?

Let's look at Old English Sheepdogs. These were dogs that worked with the drovers to take stock to market. The coat they carry gave them protection from the rough terrain, brambles and briars as well as some prey encounters they might meet along the way. When the eliminate, fecal matter can collect under the tail making them succeptible to parasite infections from flies and other insects. Docking their tails was a matter of hygiene. How is that not animal welfare?

Same with the museling (docking of new born lamb tails). Lambs and sheep are succeptible to a number of parasites, fly strike being one. Docking their tails is a health issue. How is that not animal welfare?

If it were up to the original poster in this thread, then it is doubtful any of the Cardigans in my home would have ever been born. They all trace their ancestory to a blue merle b*tch - everything here has her in their pedigree with the exception of the rescue Cardigan boy. The European Council's vision of animal welfare in the 21st century includes the extinction of merle.

The comments in the orginal post smack of the lack of knowledge of basic animal husbandry practices and making assumptions without ever spending any time in a real world whelping box or even in the real world of working with dogs. They are nothing more than emotional reaction.

Animal Welfare in the 21st century as intimated by the originator of the thread is the elimination of ALL animal use. There would be no lamb chops, or using their wool for blankets or clothes or socks. There would be no dog breeds, no pets.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Djmal - Crufts might be important to the Brits but very few New Zealand-owned dog have ever competed there in conformation showing. Conformation showing will never die completely and it is an important aspect of breed standards, but it is a decreasing recreational activity. The big dog activity sport in the world is agility - and we don't need to go to Crufts for that.
If you think banded docking of puppies tails is cruel, pain-causing and unnecessary, and not a owners/ breed guardians choice then why would you ever want to neuter or spay a normal dog. Perhaps you don't.

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

If you think banded docking of puppies tails is cruel, pain-causing and unnecessary, and not a owners/ breed guardians choice then why would you ever want to neuter or spay a normal dog. Perhaps you don't.

Excellent question Michael. I'll be interested to see what the response is, if there is one.

Debbie