[roddycm]

Cheeky sonso! I can see why you refused! And yes would be great to introduce the bobtail genes into all working lines, three generations really isn't that long and the demand and interest would be there for the foundation generations too!

[sokel]

Wish I had never asked now 

[doganjo]

Wish I had never asked now 

Why not - it's a very good topic and well worth discussing.  There are pros and cons for docking.

I used to do it with my Cockers, and Brittanys, I didn't like doing it so I'm happy I can produce bobtails, but if I was allowed to and had to do it to sell to working homes I would.

I know that a number of HPR breeds are split in Scotland because working people aren't keen on having dogs with tails.

We really need the whole country to be the same - whichever way it is.

[Jukes Mum]

Just thought I'd add my opinion on docking.
I have springer spaniels. They have long docks so are able to balance and communicate normally. I have seen some horrific injuries to undocked spaniel tails because they thrash then when they are hunting. Once these tails are damaged they rarely heal as you cannot stop a spaniel from wagging. This often leads to the end of the tail having to be amputated and the wound takes ages to heal (again, because they won't stop wagging!). This type of injury seems to be on the increase in Scotland since the docking ban.
Just my thoughts.
I have attached a picture of one with a nice long dock (not a good picture but the only one in which his tail is not a blur from wagging!!)

[doganjo]

my natural short tailed Brittany pup (5 months) has a Springer dock length of tail

[SallyintNorth]

Okay, all you folks with working spaniels with long tails ... please tell me whether it is normal to clip the long hair, to make it less likely to catch on brambles etc?  And if not, why not?

As an outsider to these breeds it would seem obvious to me that you'd trim the feathering in such dogs that will be scampering about in undergrowth...

[doganjo]

I'll be trimming Missy's feathering, - for two reasons - work and showring.

[Jukes Mum]

Okay, all you folks with working spaniels with long tails ... please tell me whether it is normal to clip the long hair, to make it less likely to catch on brambles etc?  And if not, why not?

As an outsider to these breeds it would seem obvious to me that you'd trim the feathering in such dogs that will be scampering about in undergrowth...

Mine have long docks but we do trim them in the working season. It is not generally that they get caught up in brambles though, it is the high speed thrashing impact injuries which split the end of the tail.