No, they don't dock Lab's tails.
That's so true. But I think that quote, as good as it is, isn't appropriate to this context. I don't see anyone justifying docking tails just for the sake of justifying or, in other words, rationalizing away with excuses for doing something which is wrong. To automatically assume that this docking is wrong and imply that anyone in favor of it is wrongly justifying it is an inacurate and leading ideal. I gave my opinion and my reasons (notice the word, reasons) for being in favor of docking certain breeds tails. In my case, it's the Doberman. It is my opinion, after consuming some facts on the matter, that they are valid reasons, not merely blantant or empty justifications.
Furthermore, I think it is wrong to NOT dock a Doberman's tail. In the line of work that they do and even if they aren't doing the work, their tails can become caught in something, grabbed or fractured by smacking against something. There are cases which I've personally heard about. The fact that they are very thin, very little hair or fat and long makes the odds fairly great that they will be injured at some time during their life. I'd much rather prevent that with a painless procedure at the age that it is normally done than see the pain that they would endure with a potentially serious injury.
"Just because you can do something to an animal and justify the act to yourself and others, doesn't mean you should."
Furthermore, I think it is wrong to NOT dock a Doberman's tail. In the line of work that they do and even if they aren't doing the work, their tails can become caught in something, grabbed or fractured by smacking against something. There are cases which I've personally heard about. The fact that they are very thin, very little hair or fat and long makes the odds fairly great that they will be injured at some time during their life. I'd much rather prevent that with a painless procedure at the age that it is normally done than see the pain that they would endure with a potentially serious injury.