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Debarking – Should It Be Legal?

by shibashake 18 Comments

I am hearing more and more cases of people debarking their dogs. Many people consider the debarking process to be inhumane, while others think that debarking is acceptable as a last resort to surrendering their dog, which would mean euthanasia in many cases.

Debarking is illegal in the UK, so should it be illegal in the US as well?

Debarking – Should It Be Legal?
Debarking – Should It Be Legal?

First, let us consider why dogs bark.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, including:

  1. Warning. Dogs may bark to indicate that some resource (toy, food, area) belongs to them.
  2. Alert. Guard dogs may bark to alert pack members of potentially dangerous activity.
  3. Boredom/Frustration. If a dog is left alone for long periods of time he may bark due to boredom and frustration. This may also lead to barrier frustration, and other behavioral problems.
  4. Stress. Stress may also cause dogs to bark. Some dogs may bark at other dogs or people because of fear. Other dogs may bark when their owners leave as a result of separation anxiety.
  5. Excitement. Dogs bark when they are excited. This usually occurs when they are greeting people, or new dogs.

I am lucky in that I never had to consider debarking my dogs. When I was growing up, we had several German Shepherds that barked whenever there was any activity outside. However, we lived in a cul-de-sac so there was not much foot or car traffic. Now, I stay home with my dogs most of the time, so I do not have a barking problem.

I am lucky in that I never had to consider debarking my dogs.
I am lucky in that I never had to consider debarking my dogs.

The question, I think, comes down to this …

How much does debarking reduce a dog’s quality of life?

How much does debarking reduce a dog's quality of life?
How much does debarking reduce a dog's quality of life?

That is difficult to tell. I imagine that it would be different for different dogs. My Shiba Inu, for example, would get really depressed and stressed out if he got debarked. He is a very sensitive dog and does not like any kind of change. I imagine he would get stressed every time he vocalized and realized he could not do it properly.

On the other hand, my Siberian Husky is more of a happy-go-lucky girl. She is a three legged dog and has adapted to that very well. I imagine she would be able to adapt to debarking as well, without a significant decrease in quality of life.

But … I can only speculate.

So what do you think?

  1. If you anticipate that you will have dog barking issues, should you not get a dog?
  2. If you already have dog barking issues, and have debarked your dog(s), should you not get new dogs in the future?
  3. If a dog is about to be euthanized, but can be adopted if he is debarked, is that acceptable?

What is your position? Are there instances where you think debarking is acceptable? Or do you think that debarking should be illegal?

Are there instances where you think debarking is acceptable? Or do you think that debarking should be illegal?
Are there instances where you think debarking is acceptable? Or do you think that debarking should be illegal?

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Comments

« Previous 1 2
  1. cassie says

    May 28, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    we have got to stop putting a human spiin on every thing.debarkung is nothing more than lowering a dogs bark. Simple as that. The re is no phycological effect on them.. I love my babies like children. But, I want them to ilve the best life they can.And in 30 years I hsxent had to debsrk. But I hsve one now that must be de. Barked.

    Reply
    • shibashake says

      May 28, 2015 at 6:31 pm

      While the benefit of debarking surgery is the muffled-sounding bark, there are still numerous complications that could arise and definitely should not be overlooked. “Debarking surgery carries various risks,” said Thieman. “During the debarking procedure itself, risks could include bleeding, swelling (preventing air flow), infection, and anesthetic complications.” Scarring of the larynx can also occur after the surgery, and in some cases may be severe enough to restrict airflow. This would require yet another surgical procedure to remove the scar tissue so the dog could breathe, bringing with it more unnecessary risk.

      Though tiresome when heard for hours on end, barking is an important way for our dogs to communicate with us. Excessive barking can often be Fido alerting us that there is a stranger nearby or even that he is in pain. Surgically disabling him from barking, though it might provide you with some relief, may not be appropriate when barking can also be controlled with a similarly effective alternative.
      ~~[Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine]

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