Two of my Spanish don't like Boxers and I think that the only reason for that is because of the way that they breath, absolutely no other reason.

Incredible now that I think of it but we have never met a Staff, Boxer or Bulldog while on an off-leash walk.  So I don't know.  Jet has been attacked twice in her 12 years and in both cases I believe it was a case of jealousy.  We knew, and had walked with, both dogs and owners before and both owners were very fond of Jet.  One particularly so as Jet is her (male) dog's litter mate.  I believe that both those dogs sensed the owners special feelings about Jet and decided to put the perceived competition in her place.  Neither dog has reacted that way with any other dog, that I know of.

i've never seen a staffie with a docked tail, but i do know of a staffie that was born with a bull dog tail it looks like it has been docked but it has'nt.i've heard that can be quite common in some staffie lines

The alternative of course would be that a GSD would to a wolf look like a dog/wolf and a Cocker not.

personally i dont like docking in ANY breed.i realise its done as tradition etc but you wouldnt cut off a human bodily part for tradition or inconvienience would you? they are born with tails by nature thats whats beautiful about them..why ruin that??? each to their own i guess.

Sorry, but this is not a debate on whether docking is right or wrong, it is discussing the behavioural changes caused by docking. Sorry but I don't want an argument starting ;-) Keep it friendly guys :-)

sorry wasnt trying to debate,just expressing my opinion i guess.as for behaviour changes,i guess dogs adapt to changes,just as a dog with three legs would be able to show body language,expression etc?

Not all dogs are born with tails :d  Never caused my two natural bobtails to have any problems with other dogs.

I know not all breeds have a waggy tail, mine included. Even if not docked, it is something we have bred in, if you know what I mean?

I just think that the way we have bred some of the breeds we have put them at a slight disadvantage. The short, stocky, stern looking breed of the Bulldog, staff, bull terrier etc can be interpreted as threatening by anoither dog before they have even don anything. What I am trying (not very well I know) to say is that some of our breeds look unfriendly and threatening to other dogs without showing any signs of unfriendly/threatening behaviour, it is just the way they are built. I have already come accross 2 dogs that have taken a disliking to Dozer and he is a puppy! The owners have said "that is strange, they have never done that before" or "they are usually so friendly". I am not an expert but this is just my opinion and why some dogs seem to be disliked by other dogs, not all I know and it all goes down to socialisation at the right stage in life, they obviously aren't used to these type of dogs and find it hard to read them properly.

Anyone else agree? disagree? what do you think?

:-)

docked/natural bobs kinda wag their  whole bodies which is cool,my dogs have more trouble reading spitz types body language as the curled tail i think can seem abit of a alarm gesture.

tigerlily,we have a bulldog at dcog club,hes lovely but he is the first one flynn has met. flynn didnt know what to make of him at first but once he realised he was just a dog all was fine! flynn defintally reconnises dogs by breed type.

Morning Michelle, this is what I mean that dogs do recognise other dogs by breed and type, and CERTAIN dogs do not like/are confused by other CERTAIN dogs. Catch my drift? There is this huge thing about Staffs being dog aggressive, but is it because they are getting the bad signs from the other dog as that one is afraid/confused/not keen on the staff, and instead of waiting to see what happens the staff goes on the defensive? again, just my opinion and an idea. :-)

alot of dogs dont like collies because they can tend to give abit of "eye",which although is generally meant to be playful others can read it as a threat.

Thats so true michelled, an agressive dog or one that is trying to be dominant will challege another dog by staring, and this is what collies do in order to do the job they were bred for.

Are there any American or European people on here with an opinion regarding this?  Would love to know how other dogs react to their cropped breeds, which makes breeds look totally different (I'm not for cropping by the way).  It would be interesting to know if they have any problems.

Edited to say:  I am not starting an argument and please don't people start on the cropping subject, it's just to see what observations people have had with dogs that have had this done.

My vet said when i took my bullmastiff a while back that she will always be good with westies now as she lives with two of them so i definitely believe that dogs can recognise other breeds, and thats why it's so important to socialise them with a lot of different other breeds.  Going back to what has already been said i had a dobermann years ago and alot of dogs used to attack him/ take a disliking to him, so i always thought it was because of his docked tail the same thing happens with my mums rottwieler.  They are black and dogs are supposed to be colour blind so whether or not they mistake the tan above rottwielers and dobermanns eyes for eyes.  If they did they would take it as confrontation.  Staffs are very common were i live you only have to look out the window and there's one going passed and i've never ever seen one with a docked tail, there far to common around here.

Warm regards Susan

Staff's are extremely common round my end, actually nearly every house on the estate has one, never seen one docked either.

There two a penny her and have only seen the two of these Staff looking dogs docked.

Hi tigerlily, i have a bulldog and so far there has been 2 pointers, 1 cocker spaniel, 1 airdale terrier and 2 jack russells all have went for him,he is not aggressive and has never even tried to fight back. Iv'e been starting to wonder if it is his body language but then it is not all dogs that go for him.

Thanks Duddles, that kind of backs up what I have been thinking. Anyone else had any trouble like this with any breed?

Its the heavy breathing of short nosed breeds that makes other dogs unhappy with them :)

I would definitely say that myself, tonight in our ringcraft class some one let their french bull dog off to play and she was full of energy running around at full pelt all the other dogs were just relaxing before you could see the dog you heard her breathing, and all the other dogs jumped to attention, some even growled at her because she was breathing so loud.

As I said earlier it is the breathing of the short nosed dogs that my boy doesn't like.  You can tell straight away because as soon as he hears one from a distance he starts getting worried.

Rachel I have just read your opinion about Docking, and thought i could help you to understand the reasons for doing it.The docking of tails in most breeds is practical not cosmetic. I have a working Cocker,their fur is fairly log and on the tail and legs they grow what is called feathers(longer swirly hair). If the dog runs into cover at any speed, bramble and the like become entangled and can in some cases rip the dogs tail off leaving only flesh and bone,Cockers do not slow down when entering cover.
I have recently had my puppies tails docked 2 of them did'nt even wake up when it was done!!.
I care a great deal about my dogs as I'm sure you do yours.

'but you wouldnt cut off a human bodily part for tradition or inconvienience would you?'

Actually in some religions, they do..

I dont know if i am right but i recall someone sating beagles keep their tails because their breed instinct is hair hunting and the white tip allows you to see them in long grass and half into a rabbit hole. They are also quite short in height so that may have something to do with it.

I think the tailset and carriage will also affect whether it is docked.  All the breeds I know that are docked because of work ar mad waggers hitting it everywhere.  I have yet to meet a mad tail wagging Beagle, they tend to wave gently :D