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Animal rights groups attack life-saving debarking procedure
By Charlotte McGowan
There
is a move around the country by animal
rights interests to outlaw the practice
of debarking dogs. So much misinformation
about this procedure abounds that it is
truly time to set the record straight.
As a dog breeder for over 40 years, I
can tell you that debarking in the hands
of a well trained veterinarian is a very
useful tool for breeders and owners and
it saves lives. I have had a lot of dogs
debarked over the years and the usefulness
of this procedure should not be ignored.
I know friends who have used debarking
for decades with no ill effects on the
dogs.
Q:
What is debarking?
A:
This is a surgical procedure to reduce
tissue in the vocal chords. Some vets
use a punch to remove tissue. Other surgeons
make cuts of varying sizes and I have
heard of some using a laser. The goal
of the surgery is to lower the volume
of the dog's bark and the ability of the
bark to carry over a wide area.
Q:
Does debarking remove the dog's ability
to bark?
A:
No. Debarked dogs continue to bark.
What debarking does is to lower the volume
of the bark so that it does not carry
for miles around.
Q:
Is the surgery always successful?
A:
Sometimes scar tissue forms and heavy
barkers will become louder than whenû
first debarked. The skill of the veterinarian
is also a factor.ûû
Q:
Is this a "cruel and barbaric
procedure?"û
A:
No. ûPeople with little or
no experience raising naturally noisy
and talkative breeds may tell you this.
People with breeds like Shetland Sheepdogs
(Shelties) can tell you that this procedure
is simple and that it saves lives of dogs
that might otherwise be dumped in the
pound for their barking. Debarking is
a more simple procedure than removing
the uterus in spaying or removing testicles
in neutering.
Q:
Do dogs suffer emotionally from debarking?
A:
It is a huge myth to suggest dogs
are emotionally disturbed by debarking.
Debarked dogs can bark. Even if reduced
sound comes out of their mouths, they
don't seem to notice at all! Debarked
dogs that are not being constantly disciplined
for barking, in fact, tend to be much
happier dogs!û
Q:
Is it true that only criminals and
drug dealers debark dogs?
A:
This is the biggest myth about debarking!
The majority of people who debark dogs
are responsible dog owners at the end
of their rope with dogs whose bark is
so piercing that they can be heard for
miles around. To be breed specific, Sheltie,
Collie and other herding breed owners
are the people most apt to do this. Herding
breeds, by nature can be very vocal in
their work. They also are joyful in their
barking. They bark at squirrels, strangers,
in play. They bark just to bark. Sheltie
and Collie breeders are not criminals
and drug dealers!
Q:
Is it true you can train any dog not
to bark?
A:
I defy some of the so-called new wave
of dog behaviorists to train a group of
Shelties not to bark! Shelties in numbers
larger than one love to do group barking.
It is part of who they are.
Q:
Isn't debarking a hazardous procedure?
A:
Any procedure that requires anesthesia,
whether it is a dental cleaning, spay,
or debarking has intrinsic risks. The
key to success is good veterinary skill
in all these procedures.
Q:
Do people debark just to avoid training
their dogs?
A:
The majority of people who debark
have run out of options and are trying
to be good neighbors. We are not talking
about people who are irresponsible and
leave their dogs out all night or ignore
chronic barking. We are talking about
people who understand that the piercing
bark of a Sheltie, even on limited occasions,
can be enough to cause a war in built
up residential neighborhoods. Animal rights
interests have painted debarking as a
cruel quick fix when in fact it is something
no owner does lightly.
Q:
Is excessive barking due to bad breeding?
A:
Here's another myth. Sheltiesû kept birds
of prey away from lambs on remote Shetland.
They also kept livestock out of the crofters
meager gardens and protected fish drying
on the beach from eagles and other raptors.
Barking is a useful tool for this work.
It also helps let the owner know where
the dog is. Unfortunately, in modern life,
neighbors are not impressed when Shelties
bark at birds!
Q:
Anti debarking legislation is being
put forth around the country as part of
anti dog fighting bills. Isn't this a
good idea?
A:
Criminals pay not attention to laws.
They are not going to license their dogs
in the first place, let alone report any
that may be debarked. The people impacted
by anti debarking laws are responsible
owners, especially people with Shelties
and Collies. Animal rights interests want
to outlaw any procedures they deem unnecessary.
Responsible and compassionate veterinarians
should understand that debarking can save
lives by keeping dogs out of shelters
and in homes. While some dogs, especially
when they are the only dog in a home,
can be trained to reduce their barking,
others cannot be trained to the point
where neighbors will not be annoyed.
Q:
Do you debark ALL your dogs?
A:
No. Some dogs are less noisy than
others. I do debark the dedicated squirrel
chasers because they can be extremely
noisy and the squirrels are always going
to be out there. I wish I could train
the squirrels to move to another neighborhood
but that's just about as hard as training
a sheltie not to bark.
Charlotte
McGowan is the author of The Shetland
Sheepdog in America and is an honorary
Life Member of the American Shetland Sheepdog
Association. . She has bred dogs
for over 40 years.û She has been an AKC
dog show judge for over 30 years.
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