Tail docking of dogs in Northern Ireland - an overview

Legislative proposals are afoot in Northern Ireland to ban tail docking, but there will be an exemption for certain breeds of working dogs.  The proposed ban is contained in a draft Welfare of Animals Bill.

Law on showing docked dogs

A dog docked before the 28 March 2007 in Wales and 6 April 2007 in England may continue to be shown at all shows in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout its natural life. A dog docked on, or after, the above dates, irrespective of where it was docked, may not be shown at shows in England and Wales where the public is charged a fee for admission.

However, where a working dog has been docked in England and Wales under the respective regulations set out above, it may be shown where the public are charged a fee, so long as it is shown “only to demonstrate its working ability”. It will thus be necessary to show working dogs in such a way as ONLY to demonstrate their working ability and not conformity to a standard.

A dog legally docked in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or abroad may be shown at any show in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Find out more

Click here for more on the proposed tail docking ban in Northern Ireland