A general forum for the discussion of hunting with beagles, guns, clothing and other equipment and just talking dawgs! (Tall tales on hunting allowed, but remember, first liar doesn't stand a chance)
Watching the beagle tail is a huge signal to what the beagle is scenting. Also the hunter is able to track where the dog is by the white tip on the tail. Helps avoid shooting the dog. Beagle also uses tail for stability in swimming and running. Docking can lead to back problems and I hope it is NEVER thought about for beagles. It is a huge part of their distinctive appearance, in show and field.
Carolyn
I like when my dogs have a raw tail, it shows me they are hunting hard in the brush where they should be. We joke about who`s dog is hunting hardest by the amount of blood on the tail. MIke
I say let the blood flow. Keeps'em fresh If it Bothered them they would hold it down while they hunted Old Ice bleeds like a stuck hog but I dont belive ive ever seen him with the shakes.
If you don't breed for hunt sell you're beagles and buy a POODLE AND SOME PERFUME! GUN DOG'S that's all that matters. The rest will fall in place.
I hear you Scott. Sky's tail is always bleeding. It never seems to bother her. I think we are making are hounds sissy's. I have seen beagles with docked tails and for me it makes them look ugly.
I just recently had pups and I docked the tips of there tail because the mother bleeds pretty bad and it is not a pretty site. I only docked a half inch just so there is a perfect white tip
Dogs that have a good heavy brush on their tail have a lot less trouble with this than the ones with a rat tail. Just one more thing to keep in mind when choosing breeding stock.
Beagles are much shorter than bird dogs, the tail helps to locate the dog in brush. It does not seem to bother my hounds when the tail gets raw, I'd just like to do something to help keep the wear to a minimum.
My vet wanted $80.00 to dock 2 inches off my dogs tail. I got 100 castration bands for about $3.00 and a tool to put them on for around $15.00. It does not hurt the dogs and it works in about a week. They may chew at it the first day or so, then it must go numb and fall off.
If it Bothered them they would hold it down while they hunted 
Old Ice bleeds like a stuck hog but I dont belive ive ever seen him with the shakes.
