Tail Docking and Dew Claw Removal
We do not dock the tails of our puppies, or remove dew claws. We have no immediate plans to change this. When we started in Weimaraners we did dock tails but when the docking ban came in we could no longer dock. We continued to have dew claws removed. But when I brought my first male Vizsla he came to me with dew claws, and he never had an issue of them catching in carpets. The next male we brought also had dew claws. We began to realise the removal of a dew claw is not something that needs to be done. Many breeders still do it and that is absolutely fine. We have just chosen not to do it.
We began to realise that dogs do need everything they are born with. The tail is expressive, and what I have observed when they are working in heavy cover is they put their tails up high to protect them from catching on thorns and undergrowth.
We are not anti docking or anti dew claw, we just prefer not to do it. Many of my friends still dock and remove dew claws, and what they do is up to them.
I own two docked dogs at the moment. After 26 years of owning traditional docked breeds my Vizsla broke the end of her tail off on the coffee table. We used to say her tail was like a wind mill, she is so happy it never stops. To her detriment as it got infected badly and we had to amputate. But it still wouldn't make me remove tails on puppies as its not that common, and I still prefer tails now.
Some of our best dogs in the UK in several breeds are docked and they can not be shown at crufts dog show. The rules are you can not show a dog with a docked tail if the public pay and entry to the show. I also do not tell any other breeder what they should do where docking is concerned as we all have personal opinions. We are entitled to each do what we think is right.
So why are some breeds of dogs docked today? It is because Breeders are trying to avoid damage to their tails. More dogs damage their tails in the home sadly. If your dog damages its tail, your veterinary surgeon should check the tail. They can bleed and when they wag t heir tails can cover your kitchen cupboards.
The Vizsla, Weimaraner, Bracco and GSP are all HPR breeds which were traditionally docked. They have a thin covering of skin over their tails.
We personally now would rather see a dog with a long tail over a docked tail. But I think that is something over time we have got used to seeing tails.
Ways to help damaged tails:
We began to realise that dogs do need everything they are born with. The tail is expressive, and what I have observed when they are working in heavy cover is they put their tails up high to protect them from catching on thorns and undergrowth.
We are not anti docking or anti dew claw, we just prefer not to do it. Many of my friends still dock and remove dew claws, and what they do is up to them.
I own two docked dogs at the moment. After 26 years of owning traditional docked breeds my Vizsla broke the end of her tail off on the coffee table. We used to say her tail was like a wind mill, she is so happy it never stops. To her detriment as it got infected badly and we had to amputate. But it still wouldn't make me remove tails on puppies as its not that common, and I still prefer tails now.
Some of our best dogs in the UK in several breeds are docked and they can not be shown at crufts dog show. The rules are you can not show a dog with a docked tail if the public pay and entry to the show. I also do not tell any other breeder what they should do where docking is concerned as we all have personal opinions. We are entitled to each do what we think is right.
So why are some breeds of dogs docked today? It is because Breeders are trying to avoid damage to their tails. More dogs damage their tails in the home sadly. If your dog damages its tail, your veterinary surgeon should check the tail. They can bleed and when they wag t heir tails can cover your kitchen cupboards.
The Vizsla, Weimaraner, Bracco and GSP are all HPR breeds which were traditionally docked. They have a thin covering of skin over their tails.
We personally now would rather see a dog with a long tail over a docked tail. But I think that is something over time we have got used to seeing tails.
Ways to help damaged tails:
- Seek your vets opinion first.
- To stop bleeding you can buy blood stopper spray.
- The tail can be sprayed with plaster spray to put a covering over the skin.
- Tail protectors can be brought from www.hyperdrug.co.uk
- Try not to leave the dog in a crate unless large as the small space can cause the tail to knock on the side and open again.
- Bandages can be used such as vet wrap, use a cover to the damage such as meolin as it wont stick to the wound.
- Check tail daily.
- Tails that have damaged generally regrow thicker harder skin which makes it less likely to open again.
- If tail smells or oozes pus go to your vet.
Dew Claws
The diagram below shows you the construction of the dew claw far better than any I have seen. It is used as a educational aid for us to learn about how the dew claw plays an important part of the dogs leg. The photo on the right shows you where to trim claws with out catching the blood line.
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Removal of dew claws?
The dew claw is often referred to as the third thumb as its used to hold objects. Removal of dew claws is still allowed, but many vets refuse to do them now on the basis of pain to the dog and cruelty. This is a personal opinion between vets.
The dew claw is attached to bone, tendons and ligaments etc. It is said the removal of the claw causes early arthritis pain in the leg. It is said that removal of dew claws can attribute to ligament damage and cruciate damage.
Dogs can damaged the claw and shard of bone which attaches to claw if caught in carpets. We keep dew claws very short on our dogs, so they do not catch. After watching dogs closely with dew claws they use them all the time to steady objects with their paws. Dogs also running at high speed then pivoting fast can use their claw as a steadying point with the ground.
The Vizsla have only front dew claws, So does the Frenchie and Pug. The Bracco can have back dew claws, lots of breeders have back ones removed but leave front ones.
The dew claw is often referred to as the third thumb as its used to hold objects. Removal of dew claws is still allowed, but many vets refuse to do them now on the basis of pain to the dog and cruelty. This is a personal opinion between vets.
The dew claw is attached to bone, tendons and ligaments etc. It is said the removal of the claw causes early arthritis pain in the leg. It is said that removal of dew claws can attribute to ligament damage and cruciate damage.
Dogs can damaged the claw and shard of bone which attaches to claw if caught in carpets. We keep dew claws very short on our dogs, so they do not catch. After watching dogs closely with dew claws they use them all the time to steady objects with their paws. Dogs also running at high speed then pivoting fast can use their claw as a steadying point with the ground.
The Vizsla have only front dew claws, So does the Frenchie and Pug. The Bracco can have back dew claws, lots of breeders have back ones removed but leave front ones.
Trimming of claws
Not many people can trim dogs claws. If you are one of those people then make a regular appointment with your veterinary nurse or dog groomer to have claws trimmed. Dog groomers often charge £5-£10
If you own a Pug your dog can transform into a demon if you trim the claws. They can scream. They are notorious for being difficult to be done. But start when the puppy is young and just take a tiny bit off and do not catch the blood line,
Some dogs nails naturally do not grow very quickly, these dogs can be done once a month. Even if you take the tiniest bit off, you should do it. The more often they are done the more the dogs get used to it.
Some dogs nails grow very fast, and long. These dogs need to have their nails trimmed every two weeks. If you dont know how to trim the nails, ask me before you take the puppy home.
People use various types of clipper. A guilotene type which slices the nails. A Dremel type trimmer. Or a basic pinch nail and cutting.
Not many people can trim dogs claws. If you are one of those people then make a regular appointment with your veterinary nurse or dog groomer to have claws trimmed. Dog groomers often charge £5-£10
If you own a Pug your dog can transform into a demon if you trim the claws. They can scream. They are notorious for being difficult to be done. But start when the puppy is young and just take a tiny bit off and do not catch the blood line,
Some dogs nails naturally do not grow very quickly, these dogs can be done once a month. Even if you take the tiniest bit off, you should do it. The more often they are done the more the dogs get used to it.
Some dogs nails grow very fast, and long. These dogs need to have their nails trimmed every two weeks. If you dont know how to trim the nails, ask me before you take the puppy home.
People use various types of clipper. A guilotene type which slices the nails. A Dremel type trimmer. Or a basic pinch nail and cutting.