by Ada Anti-Docking Alliance

Created on: July 29, 2010

Docking (amputation) and cropping (cosmetic surgical  tampering) are injuries and it  should never be forgotten that these procedures in themselves are causing an injury to a pup.   “Docking"/amputation done in the first few days can be life threatening and painful see http://anti-dockingalliance.co.uk/page_14.htm   Veterinary (and medical) research informs that a pup's nervous system is fully developed when born,  the nerve pathways appear fully open and it isn't until later that they develop the inhibitory pathways.   Thus, neonates are HYPERsensitive to pain, rather than hyposensitive in comparison to an adult animal.  Neonates have been shown to produce hormonal, physiological and behavioural stress responses in response to pain that are similar to those produced by adults, however they occur at LOWER (more intense) thresholds. When opponents claim a procedure is painless, it is essential for them to prove the point by peer reviewed scientific reference not by opinion.  Opinions provide others with mis-information.  Of course tail injury (particularly in a "docked" breed), is an event likely to be reported by opponents  -  no-one is likely to use their time writing about non-events.  Some breeds carry von Willibrand's disease (a bleeding disorder) which could mean that an entire litter could die as a result of docking.  Infections and gangrene can happen when not done in a sterile environment.  Later in life dogs can suffer from neuromas, constant nerve pain (phantom limb syndrome).  Puppy buyers are often unaware of these harmful effects and the breeders are unlikely to be reporting them!

The idea of breed standards should be to breed to a standard (which includes health and welfare issues) and not to lop off bits of the dog to conform to an image set by some people who influence and finance their national Kennel Clubs through registering their litters.  Not all breeds are docked and therefore points about injury to adult  “working”dogs are irrelevant.   None of the Hound group are docked and they hunt all terrain and only some of the Gundog group are being docked.

As previously stated, docking a tail or cropping ears are in themselves inflicting an injury, an injury which may never occur in a dog's lifespan.   “Working/gundogs” dogs sustain more leg injuries than tail injuries according to a recent Veterinary

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