GWP's

[lampinglurcher 36]

ok dumb question, im in full support of docking working dogs' tails when necessary, ive seen an undocked springer with his tail ripped to bits, so i understand that one, but why dock a GWP or even a vizsla? i dont mean to insult or accuse i havnt had much to do with the hpr breeds other than basic training a couple of weimaraners so i just dont know. can someone explain? is it for the same reason?

cheers all

[pointer 543]

I have an undocked GWP which is taken bushing with terriers in all cover and also out ratting day and night and yesterday he went ratting in the release pens and hegrerows.

I feel this dog will face more chance of damaging his tail than a dog worked on moors in the more traditional hpr work.My pointers tail is the same as my gwp cross lurcher which has worked in all sorts of cover ratting and rabbiting for six years without tail damage.Foxhounds and Beagles arent docked and they crash through cover.

 

I can see why a spaniel is docked as its tail is always wagging.Im happy to keep an undocked GWP but not an undocked terrier.The reason is purely cosmetic,an undocked pointer to me looks fine an undocked terrier often looks silly.Mind i think the docking laws are stupid and it should be upto the breeder even if it is just for cosmetic reasons.

[kiwi 4]

first up try add avoid the word pointer when you talk hpr's..... gwp's are docked for a reason to avoid tail damage the same as a spaniel.

[Garypco 2]

I have an undocked vizsla hes lost half an inch of his tail already through tail damage...it is nessasary...maybe not as much as a spaniel however does make a difference to the working dog..

[lampinglurcher 36]

thanks for the input lads

[pointer 543]

Time will tell weather mine gets tail damage,i cant see it happening when he is working up on the moors but it might happen whilst ratting or ferreting rabbits in hedgerows.or perhaps when flushing stuff out of gorse to a waiting gun.

this time next season ill know for sure weather mine should have been docked or not.he will have been worked enough by then.