GSP - Is there a law that allows gun dogs to be docked? Discussions

Hello
I'm doing my research on GWP's as its one of the dogs on my short list.
Well actually I think this is the breed I'm getting. Stunning!!

Browsing the web I came across a breeder that was saying that she could dock before any paper work went through. Then after looking on champ dogs or something similar I noticed quite a few others were doing the same thing.

Is there some sort of law that allows gun dogs to be docked?

Should I be staying clear of breeders that offer docking as I thought it was a banned practice?

If the breeder works her dogs and can produce a shotgun certificate to a vet who is willing to dock (many won't) then the puppies can be legally docked before they are 3 days old. My GSP was legally docked and I had to get him microchipped and his paperwork endorsed by the vet when I brought him home.

It is still legal to dock dogs in the terrier and gundog group providing certain criteria are met.

ONly vets may do it and the full law is available on DEFRA site.

This may help.

http://www.basc.org.uk/en/departments/gundogs/tail-docking/england.cfm

Thanks peeps. That cleared that up!!

Back to my research!!

Good for you for doing your research before you decide on a breed. If you are seriously considering a GWP as a first time dog owner, can I suggest you start a discussion thread about them? You will find it helpful and informative to hear from the owners of GWPs and other HPRs about their dogs and their funny little ways. ;-)

LOL that is one way of putting it!

Can I just point out that there are no exclusions to the docking ban in Scotland. Here it is illegal to dog a dog for any reason other than medical (malignant tumour etc). Much more straightforward!

Yes, and a little annoying for those of us who prefer docked dogs. I'd like my next GWP to be from a Scottish kennel but i'm put off by the docking laws.

..

Hmmmm I have two docked dogs, both born in Scotland, wonder how that worked out? :?

Maybe they came to England to be docked?

Well i see a 6 month old boxer every week at trainning who is docked so wonder where he came from!

Ireland probably.

"Prefer"?

May I ask why?

Thats what i though, the dog is running rings round them and they had no idea about what boxers are like. Seems like another puppy owner who has fallen foul of the BYB/puppy farm

Honest answer is I much prefer the look of a docked dog. HPR's tails are very long and whip like and it's my belief that a working dog is at less risk of an injury with a dock.

My dog was docked before the ban so I never really considered it much but I would have to think hard about owning a spaniel or HPR with it's tail intact.

I know the various breed clubs are trying to compile reports to show whether undocked dogs are at more risk of injury in the field. I would be interested in the results when they finally arrive.

I have a GWP. She is rescue. They are quite a handful as a breed.. My friend has 2 and they are just as mad as mine. The trick with these 3 is to train, train, train and make sure they are completely knackered after a walk.
If you read the rescue adverts they ALL say "Recall could do with some work" LOL
Crackin dogs but, not the easiest. I would have another in a shot though. Make sure your breeder tests for epilepsy.

It's worth mentioning the other important health tests for GWPs which are vWD, hip dysplasia and eye tests.

I just found out about how our breeder got around this - apperently if the bitch is whelped in England the dogs can be docked there and then brought straight back to Scotland. Don't know if this is helpful for you, but thought it was interesting how far people go to dock working dogs!

I would find the results of this very interesting too!