If breeds capable of being worked can justify being docked, aren the remainder docked for cosmetic reasons?
Genuine reasons exist for the docking of many other breeds and the description “cosmetic” is often used by those opposed to docking, in an attempt to heighten the difference between working breeds where the need to dock is obvious, and the rest where reasons are less evident to the general public. The main reason for docking are as follows: 1. To avoid tail damage A number of working gundog breeds have to hunt game through heavy vegetation and thick brambles, where their fast tail action can easily lead to torn and bleeding tails which are painful and extremely difficult to treat. Docking the end of the tail eliminates the risk of injury. Working terriers are docked for the same reason. In addition, terriers which are bred to hunt below ground for purposes such as fox control, have their tails docked to a length which is more practical when working in a confined space. Many other non-working breeds also have an enthusiastic tail action with little protection, like the Boxer and Doberma
