The Irish Terrier Club of America's Statement
In Opposition to The AVMA's Policy and any Proposed Legislation
Regarding the Docking of Irish Terrier Tails
The Irish Terrier Club of America strives to preserve and protect our
breed in every way possible.
We fund research, we are active in public education, we have a nationwide
rescue program, and our members adhere to a Code of Ethics.
Since its formation in 1897, The Irish Terrier Club of America has owned a
Standard that sets out the characteristics that that are necessary for our
dogs to perform the functions for which they were bred. It adheres
strictly to the axiom – form follows function. The punishing jaw, the red
wiry coat, the recessed eyes, the well sprung rib cage and the docked tail
all combine to help safeguard our dogs as they act on their instincts. The
Standard specifically calls for the docking of about one quarter of the
tail so that it is “of good strength and substance”. Our Standard has both
purpose and meaning and because we have bred to our Standard for well over
100 years the Irish Terrier today is essentially unchanged in appearance,
ability and temperament.
To call the docking of a tail strictly cosmetic misses the mark by a mile.
Irish Terriers are by nature spirited and game dogs. That nature can compel
them to go to ground, dispatch vermin, and pursue game. Many of their natural
adversaries are dangerous and an owner may have to act quickly to rescue a dog
from harm. The substantial, partially docked tail is strong and allows the owner
to grasp the dog’s tail and quickly pull it from danger without risking serious
injury to the tail. An undocked tail’s end vertebrae are weak and fragile. By
grabbing an undocked tail one can inflict serious pain and injury to the Irish
Terrier. Tail docking is for the safety of the Irish Terrier.
Tail docking and dewclaw removal is done on three to five day old puppies.
At this stage of the puppy’s development, the nervous system is incomplete and
the procedure is tolerated well. Discomfort, if any, is momentary. Within days
the site is completely healed and puppy goes merrily along to develop his
practical, strong and substantial tail.
We are told that scientific research supports the banning of tail docking,
yet we have not been able to locate any such research to evaluate it ourselves.
If it exists we would be pleased to see it. We take our custodianship of Irish
Terriers very seriously and notwithstanding our years of experience, do not
rule out the possibility that good science might dictate a review of our
thinking.
In the absence of this we believe that the consideration of this issue,
and the moderate amount of debate that had been allowed with respect to it, is
based an Animal Rights agenda – not an Animal Welfare agenda. The AR message is
charged with emotion - not logic or good and solid science. In our view, it is
most certainly not designed to advance the welfare of the Irish Terrier.
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