I saw a photo today of a rottie with an undocked tail. He looked good, and I like the fact that he could express himself more. What are peoples opinions on tail docking?
Rachel

Disgusting and pointless in 99% of cases.  Working dogs perhaps (still wouldn't agree, but it's different to pets/show dogs).

I like dogs with tails.  Somewhere I read a message from someone whose main argument in favour of docking was that tails get in the way, knock things off tables, smack kids in the face etc.  I'd say to anyone who believed that, that a dog wasn't for them.  I doubt they'd have the mental capacity to look after themselves, let alone an animal.

I mean, my dogs bring in muddy footprints all the time, and they sometimes stand on my feet.  Shall I amputate their legs?

The breeder I got Gretchen (Lab/Rott) suggested I crop her tail while she was being spayed and I looked at her like she was NUTS !!!!!
Gretchie has a beautiful tail.....quite expressive !!

One of my Jacks has a docked tail but the breeder had done them before I saw the pups.
My other Jack Maisy has a lovely tail......her breeder didn't believe in tail docking.

my cross rottie and my pure rottie both have their tails - it does help them express themselves - yes they knock cups off the table sometimes - no i wouldn't have it any other way
I sometimes wonder if they don't get awfully tired with wagging them all day though!

Must  agree with all of what has been said so far, docking and cropping is unessisary and cruel, I love to see dogs with tail's wether its a JRT or a Corgie or a Rottie etc.... all in my oppinion look fantastic "with" their waggy tail's  

Hate it can't stand it detest it dislike it abhor it loathe it despise it (gaspgaspgasp)

Anaconda

I'm late in responding to this one but I despise tail docking, the tails are their to show how happy the dog is and what a lovely sight it is seeing one wagging ten to the dozen.

I'm still no closer to getting my dog yet and some of the breeds I have looked at are those that usually have their tails docked.  However, I refuse to buy from a breeder who still practices this and when I start making enquiries, I will ask if they dock the tails and if they say I can choose one and they won't dock that one but the rest of the litter, I will tell them I'm not prepared to buy from them if they dock at all.

I know that won't stop them but if enough people took that attitude and expressed it when searching for a pup, the breeders MIGHT reconsider if they are selling the pups as pets as opposed to working or show dogs.

Not only is the tail their to show how happy the dog is but is also a great indication when meeting other dogs as to whether they are likely to get along or become aggressive toward one another, with a docked tail, impossible to tell sometimes.

Most of the pedigree pups I have seen advertised are being sold for pet only so why the need to dock their tails?  Even if they are for show or work, I still think it's barbaric but possibly more "necessary" until the Kennel Club rule it as inhumane and have docked tails banned from shows.

I'll get off my high horse now.

Alison

Well I'll be the one lonely voice, docking doesn't hurt if done properly but unfortunately there are still people who do it illegally and painfully.

I don't like my breed with tails and that's why I've kept two naturally born bobtails.   I don't like the look of Rottie's etc. with tails but that is not the only reason why I go for certain breeds.

It does make me laugh though when people argue that other dogs can't tell what the other dog is feeling because there's no tail, that is one of the last things that they see their posture, facial expressions are the first signs of telling what a dog thinks.

Also the rubbish spouted regarding they can't balance etc, is also a load of old rubbish.  My dogs can run as fast as many racing breeds and have no problem in turning etc.

Though in some ways I'm not totally for or against docking.  I'm lucky with my breed as they can be born with short tails and that's why I keep the ones with natural bobs because docking will be stopped at some point.

Now ear cropping, I have to say I just don't understand and never have b een able to.  What's it supposed to be for?  To make the dogs look aggressive?  They don't, they look horrible, it looks painful and I just can't see the necessity for it.  Glad it's been banned in the UK for more than a 100 years.