Sheridan

My dogs are both docked and funnily enough, their tails still wag. Even a docked rotti's tail wags. Funny that isn't it, and I am sure you can read their mood as well. Yep, sure can.

My dogs are both docked and funnily enough, their tails still wag. Even a docked rotti's tail wags.

I have two docked and they're both as clever as each other, in different ways, and just as dopey in others. My conclusion: the tail does not affect how clever they are or their temperament.

Like take voting rights away from colored people and bring slavery back to business But seriously. If you look at many old photos of dogs, we have changed so much. We haven't really protected many breeds, we have done lots of harm. I don't think leaving tails to dogs cause anymore harm, quite opposite. A breed's heritage is more than its tail.

Which is a topic for another thread.

Me either. Same here. If you love a breed of dog isn't it for reasons other than just appearance? I know that looks are at least part of the appeal but to say that if you couldn't have a dog without it's tail being docked then I just assume that you must not feel very passionately about that breed after all, maybe it is just about looks for some people? I LOVE Dobermann's with or without a tail, however they come it wouldn't stop me from owning one. I feel that a lot of you are really missing the main point of these discussions. Everybody has the right of their own option re tails or no tails, your own choice. The problem is that choice has now been taken away from us under the guise of animal cruelty. As stated earlier I would never wish to have my animals endure pain / suffering and i certainly would not wish to take away choice regarding this subject. Unfortunately we all have contributed to this dilemma by firstly believing the piles of misinformation that has done the rounds and still continues to float about ,spread by all the so called experts. Some breeds like it or not have been historically docked for many many years and those done correctly have had few isolated problems. these breeds at the time were docked at that time for various reasons. Over recent years it has become very trendy with some to have a world changing attitude towards different causes. e.g. Movie stars adopting children from overseas countries , doing work in third world countries, protecting our heritage bulidings, supporting parklands and national forests where you cant do anything in them except watch the trees grow. all the parks have that so much sign pollution no this no that allowed. We all love our dogs' otherwise why would we put ourselves through the garbage we do. If they treated dogs' with the same concern they do the above wouldnt it be nice to protect the various breeds heritage I think you've missed the point of the responses. Getting rid of a dog because it has a tail that wags? Because the tail has something to do with temperament? That doesn't make you scratch your head at all?

Much to my dismay yesterday, I had to cut short a walk with Grumpy. I noticed as we were walking along a gravel road one of his back feet was sliding out from under him. He was fine when we got home, though. He's also not lifting his leg when he's doing a wee. He gives it a try but I think his balance is off.

Not just white but things like embroidered and decorated doona covers. Nice but, you know, dogs.

I have two dogs with docked tails, in breeds traditionally docked. I love the look of the docked tail but if I can't get one with a docked tail, I'll have one without. The wheaten tail isn't that long anyway.

Can you get something from the vet to say he would prescribe them if they were available in Australia?

I used to take Grumpy to daycare because I didn't trust the fences at my previous place, particularly after I arrived home to find him halfway out under the fence.

I do not think there is much motivation to do this. You need to look at the bigger pciture. There are not near enough ANKC breeders or dogs or pups to meet the pet market needs, they would be short by what a couple of 100,000 puppies a year? There is no desire for 'ethical' breeders to bred for the pet market, they only breed to get a pup form them selves and to imporve the breed. There is no desire and in fact a lot of resistence, to any one to breed for any other reason than to breed for their next show dog and to better the breed. Also there is no desire for most breeders to place any of the left over pups from the litter with breeding rights. There is little encouragement for new breeders to get started unless the want to show dogs. I do not see any reason to change all this really, it has been this way for a very long time and has served it's purpose very well. The future of dog breeding for the pet public and those who want a dog for reason other showing, I believe, is already now mostly outside of the show culture and will continue to move in that direction. Over the next 20 years I think the current trends will continute with the declining numbers of show breeders and increasing numbers of breeders working towards other goals in their breeding programs. I think the quality of these other breeding programs will reach new heights in the coming years, incorporating the research and support of the Unis and ideas comeing from different points of view and will see increasing support for them from the more moderate animal welfare groups. However you will find interest in promoting dog shows and attempting to draw people into participating, you will also find that certain shows have been designed to welcome the public for view the dogs on show, so that might be of interest? There is nothing wrong with breeding excellent dogs to be pets. I realise there are some oddities who will ditch a dog if it doesn't perform in the show ring but frankly, I don't know any breeder who wouldn't prefer their puppies in good solid homes who put the dog before the show ring.

I was always greeted by the laughing boy grin when Grumpy was in day care.

Had parvo in the pet shop but is over it now ... Oh. Good. Grief.

My current two were ostensibly free but their kennel cost $320,000 ... Last time I bought a puppy, he was $800, which I didn't blink at. I believe most wheatens/kerries go for around $1700, which I also wouldn't blink at. It's reasonable for a well bred, pedigree dog.

Curious to know how people know about this story if the person who saved these pups won't talk to anyone. #momentoflogic

+1

Not an option. Dogs aren't my only interest, I am not going to dump my family and friends over it. I just feel sad that this is the way it is. I don't understand why people don't like/love dogs. I don't get it either but I'm not about to force anyone to like my dogs. If people come to my house it's my rules so I pretty much get that if it's another person's house it's their rules.

The other thing with those extension leads is that if you grab the lead as your dog is running off, you can rip your hand to shreds.

It's easy. Don't go.

I am not an animal activist and I am against the sale of animals in pet shops.

I have a Kogan. The suction is pretty good, particularly the turbo head. My complaint is emptying in, which is a PITA.

Blurb on Ferelith Somerfield (PDF).

I think, with wheatens and kerries, I was pre-programmed to click.

I believe some DOL rescue dogs have been accepted by the ADF.