American Cocker Spaniel
MY PERSOAL OPINION
The Cocker Spaniels should have docked tails. Docking is done within 2 or 3 days of birth when the nervous system isn't fully developed. I've seen docking done and other than the mother's anxiety over separation, it takes about 3 seconds usually without more than a squeak from the puppy. It would be very dangerous to anesttetize a puppy. The Cocker Spaniel is an underbrush hunting dog. They wag their tail when hunting. An undocked tail can be injured and even broken while they work. If undocked and unshaved, the tail can get caught by briars and thorns. Neither the AKC or the American Spaniel Club prohibit or encourage docking but all the illustrations are of Cockers with docked tails. Tails are docked for the same reasons that dewclaws are removed - to prevent injury.
American Cocker Spaniel
MY PERSOAL OPINION
The Cocker Spaniels should have docked tails. Docking is done within 2 or 3 days of birth when the nervous system isn't fully developed. I've seen docking done and other than the mother's anxiety over separation, it takes about 3 seconds usually without more than a squeak from the puppy. It would be very dangerous to anesttetize a puppy. The Cocker Spaniel is an underbrush hunting dog. They wag their tail when hunting. An undocked tail can be injured and even broken while they work. If undocked and unshaved, the tail can get caught by briars and thorns. Neither the AKC or the American Spaniel Club prohibit or encourage docking but all the illustrations are of Cockers with docked tails. Tails are docked for the same reasons that dewclaws are removed - to prevent injury.