Tail Docking

In 1991, the UK government amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act, thereby prohibiting the docking of dog's tails by lay persons. Since then, only qualified registered veterinary surgeons are, by law, allowed to dock. The current legal status of the tail docking of dogs is that tail docking is restricted and illegal (since the Animal Welfare Act of 2007), with the exception of some breeds of working dogs.

In England the following can be docked:

1.      Hunt point retrieve breeds of any type or combination of types.

2.      Spaniels of any type or combination of types.

 3.      Terriers of any type or combination of types.

The dog will have to be less than 5 days old and the veterinary surgeon will have to certify that he or she has seen specified evidence that the dog is likely to work in specified areas. (For example- a current shotgun or firearm certificate issued to the owner of the dog). Puppies being docked must be micro-chipped, either at the time of docking or when the vet considers they are old enough. The vet must sign a declaration that the requirements of the regulations have been satisfied i.e. that he has been given the necessary declaration by the owner or person representing the owner and has seen the evidence required.

Arguments for the ban

-Prior to the 1991 law, amateurs were doing the job badly and inflicting unnecessary pain and injury to the young dogs.

-Docking was being performed for cosmetic purposes as oppose to justified medical or work-related reasons.

-The procedure can be incredibly painful and this pain can result in trauma for the dogs.

It is now illegal for docked dogs to be shown in open/championship dog shows, because since April 2011 docking is against the breed standard.

Arguments against the ban

-Some people believe that the damage caused to the tails of working dogs which are not docked at a young age, is greater than the docking itself would have been. For example, if a working dog injures its tail during a hunt resulting in the need for amputation, this amputation at an older age is likely to be far more painful and expensive than an early tail dock would have been.

-The tail of a dog is not essential for it to function in life.

(Information from: CBD, wiki, Kennel Club, DEFRA and the BVA)