The argument for spaying bitches is a very strong one.

Indeed it is - much stronger than the argument for cropping ears!

The dog in question is a mongrel, I don't think a lot of planning went into breeding her.

Blimey... just come back to read this!
How far has it strayed off topic?

Neutering/spaying/dewclaws... surely these are all subjects for a different thread? how can you lump them into the same category as cutting ears for cosmetic purposes?

Indeed - agree wholeheartedly.

It is pedantic. Mainly because I already stated earlier in the thread that females are more likely to suffer pyo than amale will die from not being neutered ie testicular cancer etc and that my female will be spayed (if/once fully mature)

All this because of a couple of pictures.

Fun to read everybody's passionate opinions though!

I don't see it as lumping them together just disscussion...things change, just what happens. Perhaps it would habe stayed on cropping if people could/did legally crop in this country but they don't. So not a lot to be said on it other than most ppl are glad it's illegal here and that we don't buy the excuses for doing it to the dog(s)

Fair enough but there are people joining this discussion from countries where it IS allowed and legal... Do you think their input has run its course?

Aside from signalling, I have always found it interesting when people say docked dogs don't fall over when they run. No but they are maybe going slower than would be the case with the advantage of a long tail

If you look at e.g greyhounds running, look at how their tails counter balance their body on turns, allowing greater speed and stability, as e.g. Labs will use their tails as rudders when swimming.