Can Docked APBTs Hunt Hogs?

[GSDbulldog]

Someone, elsewhere, is claiming that APBTs with docked tails are incapable in the pit and as catch dogs. They say the lack of a tail effects the dogs balance, and that 9/10 a natural dog with prevail. I don't agree with it, but is there any truth behind it?

-GSD

[BoiBoi]

No its not true at all because my dogs tail is docked and there is no loss of balance because of it.

[BamaBoy]

There are many a fine catchdog with docked tails. Matter of fact I own one who had to have his tail docked recently due to the hog biting it in half during the catch! It hasn't affected him at all. So, whoever is making that claim is FOS!

[BoiBoi]

There are many a fine catchdog with docked tails. Matter of fact I own one who had to have his tail docked recently due to the hog biting it in half during the catch! It hasn't affected him at all. So, whoever is making that claim is FOS!
damn i wish i lived in a hog hunting state, i'd be all about it. I might have to set up a hunt eventually so i can see first hand all the action using dogs.

[GSDbulldog]

There are many a fine catchdog with docked tails. Matter of fact I own one who had to have his tail docked recently due to the hog biting it in half during the catch! It hasn't affected him at all. So, whoever is making that claim is FOS!
Thank you both!

[paranoia]

Thats a myth. I saw alot of dogs with docked tails at the old hog rodeo's some of my freinds had them too.

Although I wouldn't go cut my dogs tail off for no reason. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/waffen/violent-smiley-019.gif

Nice to see other hog hunters here! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/waffen/violent-smiley-003.gif

[Aurora]

Yep , i wondered the same thing until a friend of mine had one that was truly a DOG! This one had his tail docked due to injury , I don't recall why exactly but i was very impressed with him .

[ABK]

Yes, docked APBTs can do well at catch & hunt. Anyone who says otherwise is full of baloney.

Many catch dogs are docked. Game dogs are docked too. In fact, I once knew a man who docked all his fighting dogs. He said it kept ppl from stealing them b/c so many ppl believed that bunk about docked dogs & balance.

But the truth is that balance is actually controlled by the inner ear, not the tail. So docking a dog will not affect balance in any way.

If docking affected balance & thus working ability, docking would never have been done in the first place. But working dogs of several vocations ARE docked - guard dogs, sheep dogs, cattle dogs & hunting dogs all have breeds that are docked & have been since the creation of their breed.

As a side note it does not matter if the dog if docked as an adult or a pup. I have personally seen several MWDs that were docked as adults & they could pursue, catch & wrestle just fine. I have also seen a pit bull who was docked at 5 mos & Rottie who was docked at 2 years & the result was the same - there was no difference in balance post dock.

Hope this helps!

[TEXAS PIT DOGS]

nope there is no truth to that myth,a docked dog would have done just fine in the pit in the old days.remember it isnt the tail that would have won the fight it was the gameness that the dog possesed.i myself dont like pits with docked tails i only had one dog with a docked tail and that was due to a severe kink in the tail,but that dog showed no diffrence in balance throughout it's lifetime.