. She had a litter of 8 with 5 bitches, the day of the birth we made our selection and so did the others. The pups that were going to working homes were then legally docked and those that were not weren't.
I find this very odd
Did you physically select your girl? Most breeders will not allow visitors any where near a new born litter of puppies due to risk of infection.
A breeder who has a litter from an actual working bitch couldn't possibly know which puppy they are going to select to go to working or non working homes as at this age the puppies wouldn't have shown any characteristics.
Most breeders with a working litter would wish their puppies to go to a working home and thus have all the litter docked. Usuallly working homes would get priority of choice and any remaining would be offered to a non-working but active home.
That is my understanding anyway.