Why are the tails docked on OES'?
I know a lot of cosmetic changes are done to better a breed in whatever they were bred to do. Then some breeds have their ears or whatever changed for health reasons. I've been meaning to ask for some time. If it is a change originally made for working purposes, why is it still done? Thanks! |
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| History says that the tails were docked in order for the farmers to avoid taxation. Apparantly, dogs with tails were taxed like property. |
| That's exactly it! Working dogs had their tails docked to distinguish them from pet dogs. There was a very high tax on pets (chatel.) Deborah |
VERY interesting. Are OES' with tails eliminated from shows? (however you word it, but hopefully you get what I'm asking) 
Like, MOST of my friends like Great Dane's with erect ears. Personally, I've always thought they looked cuter with floppy ears. Love them equally of course - just a preference. I think I recall though that they are both accepted in the show ring. Are people frowned upon if breeders don't dock their tails? I've been given the impression it is? Doesn't anyone like the waggy tail? I have not been around enough OES' to know if one is cuter or takes away/adds to the appearance .....if at all it's a reason. |
| The American standard requires tail docking. I'm fairly certain they must be docked to be shown in America. However, that's not the case in Europe and many dogs shown in Europe have tails.
This is a touchy subject - and many people have different opinions on it! |
| I think a dane looks far more stunning and suits it's "Apollo of dogs" moniker with cropped ears...... however, I had a great dane puppy whom I intended to show, I had just picked her up from the breeder, and took her into the vet for her check up and to have her ears done. She went under, the surgery went fine, but she never woke up. If I ever got another dane and it's ears were already done, fine, but if not I will never have it done. Tails(on OES, not danes) however are done at only a couple of days old, and are not such a shock, they do not need to be put under for it, and it heals quickly. Ears are usually done at 6 weeks of age, so it is a more complicated operation, more surface is cut.
Here is link to a pic of two danes with natural ears, http://www.surifarm.de/Danes/imagepages ... ures14.htm And here is one with cropped ears... http://www.gdohosting.com/dolforum/show ... 507&page=1 Tail docking in OES sets them apart as a breed for one, I love the look of those wiggly fuzzy butts. Though some may say why cause the dog pain as a baby, it is minor, and short lived. Also, how painful do you think it would be to constantly have feces and urine matted in a large heavy tail with 12 inches of fur? JMO |
| ahh.... Yes, life is better when you don't have to deal with "leftovers" from potty breaks. I was just honestly curious. Knew there had to be some reasons.
I'm so sorry to hear about your Great Dane. Mine DID have erect ears, but I couldn't resist the floppy ones too. They do look more "sophisticated" with the erect ones. |
BritPresSyd wrote: History says that the tails were docked in order for the farmers to avoid taxation. Apparantly, dogs with tails were taxed like property.
Wow. You learn something new every day. I have been telling all the little kids we run into that he doesn't have a tail so the sheep don't bite it. And I was starting to believe it myself. Being a numbers guy I like the taxation reason better. Might not go over too well with the kids though. |
| this is going to sound silly BUT docking a puppies tail is alot like a newborn baby boy getting circumsized(*sp?)There are many different opinions however they both are done primarily for hygine reasons.Even tho many yrs ago the farmers did it for the "taxes" it is alot cleaner to have an OES docked just due too all the hair around the bum.the same goes for a baby boy,but people have religion beliefs as to why or why not to "clip" a newborn.IMHO I think it is just cleaner,and who doesnt love those big wiggly butts?Also I know both subjects can be very conterversial,I know my sister in law didnt get her son "clipped" because she didnt want to cause her baby any undo pain.I told her form the medical part that the pain will out weigh the problems he can have due to being "natural".one thing is for sure there is no right or worng answer. |
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