Not logged inChampdogs Information Exchange
Forum Breeders Help Search Board Index Active Topics Login

Find your perfect puppy at Champdogs
The UK's leading pedigree dog breeder website for over 25 years

Topic Dog Boards / Visitors Questions / A breeder with undocked pups?
- By Guest [gb] Date 24.04.05 14:49 UTC
First of all please let me make it clear that I do NOT wish to begin any kind of debate about docked/undocked tails etc. My reason for leaving this message is that I have been researching the breeds of dog that may be suitable for us and have narrowed it down to some possibles; some of which come from the breeds that are traditionally docked. Our preference is for an undocked pup.
Are there breeders that generally leave litters undocked and if so, is there a list of such breeders? Or do I have to contact a particular breeder and ask them at the earliest possible stage if I can choose a puppy and get them to leave the tail on? I really do not know how it works and would be most grateful if anyone out there could advise. Looking forward to hearing from you. Kindest regards.
Lisa
- By Isabel Date 24.04.05 14:59 UTC
I think the best way is to find a breeder that fits the bill in all other ways, probably through the relevent breed club or possibly at shows, then ask them if they will leave the tail on one of the litter.  I believe many of them will do this if you are prepared to pay upfront. Personally I think this is the best way as the least promising in a well bred litter (which I think is what you will get :)) is still going to be a much better bet than the average undocked specimen ones sees about the streets and parks, in my breed anyway :)
I presume you are confident that you will be able to exercise etc. in a manner that will limit the chance of tail damage.  If it is a working breed you are looking at many of them will naturally gravitate to the terrain that leads to damage in their working siblings :)
- By Schip Date 25.04.05 11:20 UTC
In my own experience docking breeders ask for full money upfront to keep tails on pups who's quality is debatable to say the least - to me it's a way of making money following the trend so to speak rather than following your convictions.  I don't dock I never have docked my pups because I'm against docking so I show accordingly, my progeny have won BOB and Res Best dog at Crufts,  my tailed gold boy is believed to be the first Tailed version of our breed to win his class at Crufts against 10 other docked dogs. 

There are now 3 of us who don't dock any pups within my breed and all of us have joined the accredited breeder scheme so are placing ourselves wide open for complaints to the KC via the feedback paperwork that goes with every puppy if we are in any way lacking in our care and quality of pups.  Also the top breeder for 04 is a non docker after almost 30 yrs of docking so the quality of her pups are excellent otherwise she would not be top breeder as judged by alrounders, international judges and breed specialists.

So contrary to popular mythology there are good breeders out there who don't dock, yes by all means chat with the breed clubs but remember they may not put you in touch with 'non' dockers due to their own feelings on the issue it is breed dependant as some breed clubs have stronger feelings than others on this issue, thankfully schipperke folk live and let live as we pass as many docking customers to them as they do non dockers to us which is the way it should be.  Pauline at ADA is also very helpful and does have a list of breeders who don't dock you just have to ask as they are not advertised.
- By Isabel Date 25.04.05 11:30 UTC
I did make a point of saying in my post that I was only speaking from experience of my own breed and I firmly stand by what I say about the general quality of undocked specimens in that breed.   All the usual criteria for a good breeder should be applied so that should rule out being exploited.  I think giving money upfront is reasonable as breeders can be exploited too :)  Unfortunately we don't know what breed or even group the guest is looking at so we are not really in a position to fully advise :)
- By kennelsitter [gb] Date 26.04.05 08:02 UTC
Most people still want a docked dog if you contact the breeder befor the litter is due most breeders will keep tails on but if you have a litter of 10 pups and only one persons wonts one with a tail on it is hard to tell which is going the best at 2/3 days old and there are more people out there after docked.
I know of a breeder who left the tail on a puppy then the buyer backed out of the sale and she was left with the puppy as everyone who went there bought the docked pups saying the one with the tail looked odd.
As with the Schipps I left the tails on my Schipp litter and had kept two of the 4 pups as no one wanted them still have one of them now at 14 and he looks great still.
- By tohme Date 25.04.05 11:23 UTC
Isabel pray tell how can you tell the least from the most promising of the litter under 5 days old?

There are many reputable breeders in lots of breeds who do not dock their dogs.

Damage is not inevitable, working or not.

I had an undocked dog of a "working breed" and it never damaged its tail in the thickest of cover.  It did, however, damage its ears a lot........ ;)
- By Isabel Date 25.04.05 11:32 UTC
My point was not that they were better able to pick out the least, although I know from friends that have done this that they will try :), but that the best breeders will be more likely to breed a nice quality uniform litter so therefore the least will be likely to be better quality than a thrown together litter.
Of course damage is not inevitable but where there is risk it is wise to reduce the possibilities.
- By charlie72 [gb] Date 24.04.05 15:08 UTC
You could try contacting the anti docking alliance www.anti-dockingalliance.co.uk,you may have a bit of a wait for the right breeder but that would be the case with docked pups too :)
- By Fillis Date 25.04.05 15:25 UTC
My breed is traditionally docked, and we have breeders who do and breeders who dont, so it is not really necessary to ask one who does to leave just one pup undocked. I guess all breeds are different, so would suggest you contact the secretary of the club for the breed you are interested in, and he/she should know of any breeders who dont dock. Certainly in my breed the secretary will help irrespective of her own preference - the main thing is finding good homes.
- By Kerioak Date 25.04.05 17:21 UTC
Hi Lisa

There are those of us who leave traditionally docked breed undocked in various breeds but may only have the occasional litter.  As has already been mentioned your best bet is to contact the Anti-Docking Alliance
- By perrodeagua [gb] Date 25.04.05 17:39 UTC
Also would like to know what breed you are interested in , not all breeds with short tails are docked!
Topic Dog Boards / Visitors Questions / A breeder with undocked pups?

Powered by mwForum 2.29.6 © 1999-2015 Markus Wichitill

About Us - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy