In some cases- yes, it is a good idea. This generally applies to dogs that would ordinarily have thinner, "whip-like" tails, that would theoretically be more prone to breakage than a tail with thicker bone. A good example would be a Doberman. (There are also claims that docking is done to prevent an intruder or assailant from having an easy to access "handle" on a dog- makes perfect sense to me).
In the case of an ACD, they have thick, powerful tails, that would more likely than not, be an *asset* to the dog. If you've ever watched these guys at work on stock, you'll see that they are making extraordinarily quick turns, mad dashes left and right, and stopping on a dime. When a dog is moving so fast, a tail is invaluable as sort of a "rudder."
Have you ever noticed when a dog makes a sharp turn as it's running at top speed, that it's tail does kind of a "windmill" whirl in a circle? This is an effort to stay upright and balanced- a lot harder to do without a tail!
Furthermore, based on tail-length and carriage in these guys (not to mention the *way* in which they work cows), I think an injury based on a dog's tail getting stepped on would be extraordinarily unlikely. ACDs are more at risk from getting nailed by a kick to the *face* (which would cause a LOT more damage, as I'm sure we can all agree). As such, you'd want that dog to have all the advantages it could get in terms of speed and agility- and one of those advantages is a tail.
As far as BYB- it means "backyard breeder." It's a term for people who breed dogs on a smaller scale than a puppymill, but may still be doing so for profit. Or because "puppies are so cute," "Holly and Buddy are cute and friendly and I want them to have puppies," "I want my children to see the miracle of birth," and a myriad of other excuses.
They generally forgo genetic testing of the sire and dam, usually because they have no idea that such tests even exist. In ACDs this is a real travesty- there are major problems with deafness in this breed. BAER testing on all breeding stock (and all puppies before they go home), is a must. Deaf dogs CAN be trained- but it's no simple task, and how much better would it be to simply produce puppies with hearing?
I believe progressive retinal atrophy is also a major health concern. No one wants to see their previously healthy 2 year old dog go blind- and this could very well be avoided by health testing of the parents.
Hip dysplasia is horribly debilitating. It can cost upwards of thousands of dollars to fix- and in some cases, is so expensive that many owners simply don't have the means to pay for the surgery. In that case, the dog is put down. I can only imagine how heartbreaking that would be, especially in a breed that absolutely *thrives* on physical activity.
So you can see, despite the fact that BYBs may be well-meaning, good people- lives ARE getting toyed with, and people AND dogs are getting hurt. Dogs should be obtained from rescues and shelters (as you already pointed out- kudos!
), or from ethical, responsible breeders who are willing to do EVERYTHING it takes- not just the bare minimum. We have enough homeless dogs out there, that only the best should be breeding, regardless of their intentions.
If any of you true ACD people have more to add- go to it! I'd love to hear more about this breed, as I've been getting more and more fascinated with them- and thinking about adding one to my clan in the distant future.
In the case of an ACD, they have thick, powerful tails, that would more likely than not, be an *asset* to the dog. If you've ever watched these guys at work on stock, you'll see that they are making extraordinarily quick turns, mad dashes left and right, and stopping on a dime. When a dog is moving so fast, a tail is invaluable as sort of a "rudder."
Have you ever noticed when a dog makes a sharp turn as it's running at top speed, that it's tail does kind of a "windmill" whirl in a circle? This is an effort to stay upright and balanced- a lot harder to do without a tail!
Furthermore, based on tail-length and carriage in these guys (not to mention the *way* in which they work cows), I think an injury based on a dog's tail getting stepped on would be extraordinarily unlikely. ACDs are more at risk from getting nailed by a kick to the *face* (which would cause a LOT more damage, as I'm sure we can all agree). As such, you'd want that dog to have all the advantages it could get in terms of speed and agility- and one of those advantages is a tail.
As far as BYB- it means "backyard breeder." It's a term for people who breed dogs on a smaller scale than a puppymill, but may still be doing so for profit. Or because "puppies are so cute," "Holly and Buddy are cute and friendly and I want them to have puppies," "I want my children to see the miracle of birth," and a myriad of other excuses.
They generally forgo genetic testing of the sire and dam, usually because they have no idea that such tests even exist. In ACDs this is a real travesty- there are major problems with deafness in this breed. BAER testing on all breeding stock (and all puppies before they go home), is a must. Deaf dogs CAN be trained- but it's no simple task, and how much better would it be to simply produce puppies with hearing?
I believe progressive retinal atrophy is also a major health concern. No one wants to see their previously healthy 2 year old dog go blind- and this could very well be avoided by health testing of the parents.
Hip dysplasia is horribly debilitating. It can cost upwards of thousands of dollars to fix- and in some cases, is so expensive that many owners simply don't have the means to pay for the surgery. In that case, the dog is put down. I can only imagine how heartbreaking that would be, especially in a breed that absolutely *thrives* on physical activity.
So you can see, despite the fact that BYBs may be well-meaning, good people- lives ARE getting toyed with, and people AND dogs are getting hurt. Dogs should be obtained from rescues and shelters (as you already pointed out- kudos!
), or from ethical, responsible breeders who are willing to do EVERYTHING it takes- not just the bare minimum. We have enough homeless dogs out there, that only the best should be breeding, regardless of their intentions.If any of you true ACD people have more to add- go to it! I'd love to hear more about this breed, as I've been getting more and more fascinated with them- and thinking about adding one to my clan in the distant future.
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