I am due to collect a much awaited ESS puppy(can't wait) and though i really don't like the idea of tail docking i am a complete ignoramus on the subject. Can anyone give me a good reason for this? My puppy will be a pet and not a working dog.

If it's a pet and you feel happiest with a tail, then ask your breeder not to dock its tail. This means that you won't have a choice of puppy unless they leave the whole litter undocked as they have to be done asap. Is the pup already born? If so, it's probably too late.

I think it's a personal thing. TH is docked coz she's a working gundog (no laughing now :p), but if she were just a pet I'd be happy for her to have a tail.

It should be everyone's personal choice.

Thanks for the reply, im new to champdogs and am still trying to work out how to go about all this! The puppy is only 3 weeks old (we've named him Ike - its a long story!) but as we're going back to see him tomorrow ill soon find out if he's been docked, I hope not. How old is your ESS?

If your breeder is a breeder of working/field trial gundogs then I'm afraid you'll probably find that your pup has already been docked.As a breeder we always dock at 2 days old and unless someone has previously requested one with a tail, then the whole litter is docked From past experience this is what the average buyer wants and I personally do not have a problem with it.With our last litter we had such a request and then the new owner had to back out of the sale because of ill health,that puppy was the last one to be chosen,not because there was anything wrong with him but just because he had a tail and at least half of them went as pets.It just seems to me that is what people seem to want so don't be surprised if your pup is already docked I'm sure you'll love it just the same
lorraine

Lorraine I know you are right we'll love him anyway, as i said I don't know very much about these issues but by reading all the message boards i'm learning fast! though what are all the funny faces about? iv no idea how to do those!

Go to HELP at the top of the page and scroll down to about half way Hey presto! how to do smileys!:D :D :D

:) :D Thanks

Hi

If your pup was to be docked he will have been done by now. So that it does not come as a surprise and you can decide what you want before you see him, why don't you ring the breeder and ask? Once you see him, you'll be sold so if you know you want one undocked and he has been done, then there's not a lot of point in seeing him - just look again and be clear about what you want. If you don't mind then go and see.

hth

Pam n the boys

Thanks for the advice Pam
Jackie K