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Hey Aunt Sue,
I attached on to Daddy Toms note because this couldn't
wait. Today March 28 a new law goes into effect in Wales. After today
it will be illegal for any breeder or vet to dock an OES's tail. It
will also be illegal to show any OES with a docked tail if that tail
is docked after this date. Any show that charges an admission and
shows a
docked OES where the tail was docked after today will be fined and the
owner of the dog will be liable to arrest and fine. Now I think
that's pretty good news but the best is that the same law goes into
effect in England on April 6th and in Scotland on April 30th. The
laws also are for dogs imported for showing so any US OES that has its
tail docked after those dates are not permitted to be shown in Great
Britain. I'm going out to wag some.
Pet a Puppy
Fulla's Son Corby
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I have held too many pups for their
tails to be docked and/or comforted extremely distressed mums
listening to their pups cry out in pain. I can no longer bring myself
to continue with what I feel is an archaic and cruel procedure for
these wonderful dogs. So in future, litters from Bragi all pups will
be keeping their tails. Here is the opinion from some of our pups
families who were lucky enough to keep their tails ...
Are you still
undecided about keeping your pups tail? Here is a simple way to make
the decision.
Smokers get to
dock their pups tails - Non Smokers get to leave their pups tails in
tact!
Reasoning: If
you haven't figured out that smoking is the cause of health issues
in humans then I have no hope of convincing you that docking tails
is cruel for dogs. On the other hand if you believe that smoking is
bad for human health then think back ten years to when smoking
wasn't frowned upon and consider how times have changed and you
"look down" on smokers today. In ten years time people will look
down on you in the same way if you have docked your pups tail!
Peace
Sue Peterson
Sue, l would just like to applaud you on
making the decision not to dock your old english sheepdogs. We have
been companions to these wonderful dogs for about 15 years. Usually
we have 2 and we love them as part of our family. Bailey was the
only one who ever had his tail and it was magnificent. He was on
the larger size for the breed and his tail was gorgeous. l always
wanted my sheepdogs to have their tails but 2 of them were rescues
and our current baby, Digby (one of your fabulous dogs) was already
docked before we bought him. We couldn't wait for another litter as
we had just lost our Bailey and our house seemed empty.
l once watched a programme about the
manipulations that people force on their pets because of some
"standard" or other, it was highly disturbing to see what these
animals go through. My vet has treated many dogs who have been
docked improperly for infections and other uncomfortable conditions
that they have contracted.
l don't know about anyone else, but l
get my sheepdogs to be companions, l am not going near a show
ring---ever. My personal opinions about these professional show
dogs are besides the point that l am trying to make here. l believe
that docking causes the dog pain, causes the mother anxiety and is
absolutely unnecessary. They look beautiful and majestic with their
tails and boy will you know at 10 feet that this dog is happy to see
you.
Kudos to you for being brave enough to
buck the system and put the dogs welfare first. Your dogs are
wonderful examples of the breed, are loving and the biggest clowns l
have ever known. My family is going through a rough time as of late
as my husband has just been diagnosed with 2 chronic neurological
diseases....Digby has gotten us through these times with his charm
and personality. l would not be without him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I
think you have summed up my feelings on tail docking nicely. This
being my first litter, I haven't had to experience tail docking, so
curtailing my feelings could change. But right now, while I prefer
that people choose not to dock their puppies tails (it is the choice
I would make) I am happy to have theirs docked".
Sue Peterson
Hi Sue
just a quick email to let you know that I think you have summed up my
feelings on tail docking nicely. This being my first litter, I haven't
had to experience tail docking, so curtailing my feelings could
change. But right now, while I prefer that people choose not to dock
their puppies tails (it is the choice I would make) I am happy to have
theirs docked. Saga is settling nicely into her new home, we had a
wonderful visit to the beach yesterday. She does like to go in the
water. She also really likes roast chicken, despite her size, she has
no problem finding things on the kitchen counters! and how does she
wiggle her whole body when she is happy to see you!
hope all is well
Kay
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We certainly don't see anything negative
about leaving the tail on. Murphy doesn't seem to care, he carries it
around with him quite well. Barkley doesn't seem to care that he
doesn't have one so I guess we really don't have a strong opinion
either way, EXCEPT, knowing how they take the tail off, I wouldn't do
it again! I will say it is quite nice to see the tail wagging. We
are used to it with our Cairn so it is not new to us. All of our OES
have had their tails docked until Murphy. So, I guess our vote would
be NO DOCKING! It is just too cruel! A friend of mine has a little
border collie whose tail was docked. After I told her told her how it
is done, she decided she would not have it done again either! I think
it is probably just an educational thing. There is no real reason to
dock the tail and it is very cruel and archaic. OES owners of
the world, UNITE! No docking! Why do we
let AKC tell us how our dogs should look? I am a free thinker and do
not like organizations setting rules for me unless it is for safety.
There is no safety issue with tails! Murphy carries his tail curled
up so it doesn't get in the way of anything. We once had a German
Shepherd (who you would NEVER dock the tail on) who cleaned off the
coffee table whenever he went by. Well, I guess I DO have an opinion
after all!
BJ Malecha
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-Legality in the UK== In
the UK ear cropping is illegal and no dog with cropped ears can
take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other
nonconformation events). Tail docking is legal, but only when
carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon. The Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for
veterinary surgeons in the UK, has said that they consider tail
docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless
done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". In
1995 a veterinary surgeon was brought before the RCVS
disciplinary council for "disgraceful professional conduct" for
carrying out cosmetic docking. The vet claimed that the docking
was performed to prevent future injuries and the case was
dismissed for lack of evidence otherwise. Although cosmetic
docking is still considered unacceptable by the RCVS, no further
disciplinary action has been taken against vets performing
docking. ==Arguments against docking dogs' tails== Many people
believe that docking dogs' tails puts them at a disadvantage in
several ways. Primarily, dogs use their tails actively in
communicating with other dogs (and with people); a dog without a
tail is significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution,
aggression, playfulness, and so on. In addition, it is believed
that dogs use their tails as rudders when swimming and as a
balance when running, so active dogs with docked tails are at a
disadvantage compared to their tailed peers.
http://bvio.ngic.re.kr/Biowiki-2.0/index.php/Docking
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Hi Aunt Sue,
While nobody is looking I thought I'd
answer your note. I have attached a note from Daddy Tom and three
pictures of me. I'm 30 pounds now and have gotten my second shots, vet
says I'm fine. I have also included some pictures all showing my
tail. The first one is leash training but I don't think I've got the
hang of it yet but it does show my tail as do the others.
Corby
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Letter from
Corby's Dad
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If I may introduce myself to you, I am
Ginny Scott from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I am buying a dog
from Sue Peterson and she is trying to convince us not to dock the
pup's tail. I looked on the descendants page from Sue's website
and saw you with a picture of your dog who doesn't have it's tail
docked.
I have a couple of questions I wonder if
you would be able to take the time to answer and give your opinion
on. The first question is since they are big dogs and coffee table
height, are they apt to knock things off the tables? Secondly do
the tails get messed up with poop much?
Would you care to give your opinion on
the choice of keeping the tail or docking the tail?
I am sure anything you have to say on
the subject would help us with our decision. We are leaning
towards docking the tail. I hope I haven't intruded into your life
but Sue suggested you would be happy to speak with us.
Thanks for your time and by the way it
looks like you have a beautiful OES
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Danu is our second OES both with tails.
I think the flowing tail adds to the beauty of the of this breed. I
think an OES looks strange with a docked tail referencing pictures
in the dog books and the Westminster Show. Attached are some
pictures of Danu and her tail and some others.
The answer to your two questions is no,
the tail doesn't cause any damage to property, life or limb and poop
has never been an issue.
You have not intruded. I am always happy
to recommend Sue and her OES breeding practices.
We picked up Danu at the Houston airport
(300 miles from Fort Worth) and drove back that day. Danu was a
perfect traveler and already potty trained due to the way Sue raises
the dogs on her farm.
Please feel free to email me with any
additional questions.
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