The required evidence is given below
1, [INSERT NAME], confirm that I have seen the following evidence required by the Docking of Working Dogs' Tails (England) Regulations 2007 to show that the dog whose tail is to be docked ("the dog") by me on [INSERT DATE] is likely to be used for work in connection with an activity specified in paragraph 5 below and is of one or more of the types specified in paragraph 6
below:
the dam of the dog; the statement made in paragraph 3 of this certificate, signed and dated by the owner of the dog or by a person whom I believe to be representing the owner; and
one of the following— armed forces identification; emergency rescue identification;
police identification;
prison service identification;
HMRC identification; evidence that the owner of the dog, or an agent or employee of the owner most likely to be using the dog, will be using the dog for work in connection with lawful pest control;
a current shotgun or firearm certificate issued to the owner of the dog, or to the agent or employee of the owner most likely to be using the dog for work in connection with the lawful shooting of animals;
a letter from a gamekeeper, a land-occupier (or his agent), a person with shooting rights, a shoot organiser, a club official, a person representing the National Working Terrier Federation, or a person engaged in lawful pest control, stating that the breeder of the dog whose tail is to be docked is known to him and that dogs bred by that breeder have been used on his land, or in his shoot, or for pest control.
The subject of dew claw removal is a whole subject on its own. In very general terms the first digit of the hindlimb ( dew claw) is anatomically considered to be a vestigial structure ie of little use, with little if any articulation or muscle attachment, and often is vulnerable to damage, hence most veterinary surgeons who dock, will if asked remove the hind dew claws.
However, the front dew claws are not considered to be vestigial, due to bone articulation and muscle attachments, hence you often see dogs, particularly spaniels, using them as a “thumb”. So most vets will leave them in place, unless they are particularly loosely connected, and therefore could be prone to injury.
