Docking

[Cob-Web]

I just don't see how a breeder can justify docking a full litter under the guise of working them, esp with cockers.

Ironically, the kind of breeders who "may" be able to make this claim are often the ones who are less likely to be considered "reputable breeders" - I know a number of traditional working/farming households here who breed a bitch for the purpose of producing working dogs (with little cosideration for health screening etc) - often to replace older dogs who are reaching retirement age. Usually, the whole litter ends up in a working home; either as a full time worker, or with an owner who recreationally shoots at weekends 

[Wendy G]

I agree Rachel,and these are the people who will already have a Gun Licence.
To get a licence you have to have a cabinet bolted to a suitable wall,which the police have to come round and inspect and then if your application is successful  your guns are listed on the licence,don't know if you can  have a  current licence without actually owning a gun.I suppose that you can?

[Penel]

This effects a number of breeds that currently have no show/work split ie: weims, vislers, German wirehaired pointer, German Shorthaired Pointers, Clumbers, English pointers, Springers, the list goes on.   

There is a clear split in English springers between working and show lines.
English pointers are not docked.

Just wanted to make those points clear.

[Jane S]

I think that it will be far too much hastle for any show cocker breeder to dock as even if they sell one dog to a pet home then they will have broken the law and most breeders don't have the homes lined up before pups are born.

I'm sure you're right that purely show breeders will not continue docking once the law comes into force but it's not true that most breeders don't have homes lined up before they are born - experienced breeders with a good reputation do indeed have people waiting for puppies before they are born (I'm sure this applies to good Working Cocker breeders too) As to whether those owners who currently show & work their dogs will continue to do both activities after the law changes only time will tell - nobody knows at the moment. 

Jane

[crazyspaniels]

Even if they have homes lined up quite often 1 home falls through by the time the pups arrive, no breeder can ever guarantee the pups homes at 2 days old.
And what happens to pups returned to the breeder after a month or so for whatever reason, I presume if they are rehomed to pet homes then would that constitute a breach of the law??

[Jane S]

Even if they have homes lined up quite often 1 home falls through by the time the pups arrive, no breeder can ever guarantee the pups homes at 2 days old.
And what happens to pups returned to the breeder after a month or so for whatever reason, I presume if they are rehomed to pet homes then would that constitute a breach of the law??

Who knows? That's what's so crazy about the wording of the Act as it stands - it leads too many questions unanswered but then that always seems to be the way when governments draft legislation relating to dogs. It's obvious what they want to achieve but not enough thought has gone into the ins & outs.

Jane

[anita96]

penel

I love your new pictures 

[Helen]

penel

I love your new pictures 

oh wow!!!! so do i!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lyn]

oooh me too.penel how many hours does ot take to get one good piccie?

[Penel]

I think we're going a wee bit off topic now 
(will post some new pics in Other Breeds !)

[Luvly]

 

[Rob6014]

Docking is now illegal in most Australian states and soon will be illegal in all of Australia. Full-tailed cockers are the norm in shows here. I expected them to look odd, but their tails really don't seem to have much of an impact on looks. The ban is on tail docking of all dogs - working or not.

[Cayley]

I think working dog breeders are only going to sell to working homes so that they can continue to get their litters docked. I am quite interested to see if it's banned whether the (previously) docked dogs dog will continue to win or whether tailed dogs will start winning  .

[Jane S]

I can't see any of us disagrees really - we know that good breeders have waiting lists for puppies but also any breeder knows they cannot know for certain at 3-5 days old whether a dog intended for working will actually be used for working as there are so many unpredictable factors which come into the equation. One would hope that common sense will be used when interpreting the new law but all we can do is wait & see what will happen as it's all just conjecture at the moment.

Jane

[Cayley]

Afterall it could still remain as the Status quo depending on what is done in the House of Lords.