USA Breeders leaving tails intact (no docking) - Page 2

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by Tamster on 04 November 2009 - 06:11

I'm new to Pem Corgis, I tripped over this string looking to see if I could show my dog with her tail still attached. (I am frankly against disfigurement/alteration for the sake of a subjective aesthetic (antiquated) ideal, and IMHO, cutting off little puppy ears and tails because WE like the way it looks is about as close as you come to canine alien abduction). 
From what I can conclude, we can enter and show, but unless we have a open-minded judge that appreciates dogs au natural, we take up Agility, or we move to Australia, she'll never win anything.

Now, I've had vets and other Corgi folk more knowledgeable than I tell me that our 6 mo female Pem pup (with tail intact) has an excellent disposition and is developing beautifully. I'm considering having her tested for all potential diseases, and pending those results, maybe breed her.  If those stars all lined up (and a litter of pups would be a fun and wonderful family experience) the real objective truly would be to produce genetically and conformationally well above- average (exceptional, even?) puppies. Shouldn't THAT be what breed standards are about?

Gracious--imagine two little girls each with their new Pem puppies, and one says to the other, "My puppy will always beat your puppy at the dog show because my mom is coming to cut mine's tail off now...it's the breed standard you know!" So sad we have to think that way as adults.

by happyacres on 30 November 2009 - 04:11

I originally began showing German Shepherds because they did not have cosmetic alteration.  I had really wanted a Doberman Pinscher, but didn't like the idea of cutting their ears and tail off.  It was a good choice- I learned a lot about showing in various breed clubs, politics, and how to become a good handler.  I also learned what a good dog is (of any breed).  To me, what is valued in the AKC show ring is not always in the best interest of a breed.  Having shown GSDs, I saw a lot of unstable dogs with temperament, health, and structural problems getting titled.  I now really like the European-style or blend of European and American type (which are now becoming popular in the AKC ring, I am happy to report).  The same goes for Dobermans.  The USA Dobie has become quite fine-boned and delicate looking compared to their European counterparts.  This tells me that our breed clubs and popular opinion are not always out for a breed's best interest and what is 'in style' isn't always what is best.  The most important aspects of breeding are temperament and health.  After that, conformation.  And even within conformation, there are many more important aspects than ears and tails in a breed standard.  These (at least in my chosen breeds) are movement, soundness (the dog should look like it can do the job it was bred for), even dentition to me is more important.  It is my opinion that judges should be able to judge a dog in its unaltered state and whether a dog has natural ears/tail or altered should not matter.  To be honest, it does take a while to get used to a natural dog- I didn't like the Doberman's natural tail until I had gotten used to it and now I think they're pretty cute.  Pembroke Corgis have lovely tails (I love the Schipperke tail too- very bushy and full).  As a side note, having been a groomer for a decade, I always preferred grooming the natural dogs.  You wouldn't believe how many docked dogs did not like their tails messed with or cropped dogs who were sensitive about their ears being handled.  
My intent is to import a nice Dobie from European show lines that is natural.  I won't be able to win in the AKC ring, but I may have more luck in the UKC and IABCA (and of course, AKC performance).  I don't know what I think of anti-docking/cropping legislation.  I do believe in preserving our rights as United States citizens, however, I don't believe I should feel that I 'have' to cut my dogs' parts off to win in the show ring.

by Gwynsmom on 20 May 2010 - 02:05

I have a lovely Pembroke with an elegant plume for a tail.  I have often questioned the overly stringent breed requirements when it comes to docking tails or cropping ears in some breeds. 

A particular breed of dog is loved by its human family because of its personality - not because it meets "breed standards."  Give me my undocked tail corgi any day.


by hacketet on 03 June 2010 - 02:06

I'm not interested in anyone's preferences or reasons for docking or not docking tails.  I'm looking for breeders who do not dock tails on Pembroke Welsh Corgies.  I am not interested in breeders who will leave a puppy undocked on request because I will evaluate all available puppies for temperment and other characteristics prior to purchase.  I have identified two suitable breeders, and am looking for others in the northeast USA. 

by CORGIMOM59 on 09 August 2010 - 02:08

We have two seven month old corgi's with their tails intact and I am so thankful that the breeder DID NOT crop them.
They allow our pups to express themselves in so many ways. Why crop them? Are you using them as hunting or herding
animals or do you just want them to "look" like all others.  I am with the Queen on this one! Ban all tail and ear docking!

Docking was banned in England and Wales by the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and in Scotland by the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

by LongTailCorgiLover on 10 September 2010 - 04:09

Tail docking originally came about in Pembrokeshire, Wales so that the impoverished farmers would avoid paying the taxes.  If the dogs were docked, they were considered to be working dogs and thus the farmers did not have to pay the tax.  Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire had different tax and legal structures back in history.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi does the same job as the Pembroke, and has no difficulty with a full tail. 

Rottweilers were docked in the Roman days because of the myth that tail docking prevented rabies.  Now we know it is prevented with a vaccine, and yet, the tradition continues.

Tailed Pembrokes in Europe have no difficulty herding.  I own one and the tail has never been stepped on or caught in anything. 






 


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