tail docking requirements?

Question

Yes I am going to have my puppies tail docked, just like my other pups but he is much older. 6 weeks old now and he was given to me with out his tail docked is it possible to do and what is the difference now that he is older? I’ve also been told it cost a lot more as well. If any one has any info let me know thank you!

Answer 1

It does cost alot more, because they will need to put him under, and since there is alot of blood flow through the tail, its going to be an operation.

My Dobermans were always cut, but we had the tails done between 1-5 days after they were born, because they get alot of blood in the tail, and the cartilage hardens up after that point. But more than that, it will hurt, harder to heal, and it will be considerd and operation, it will cost alot, and he will need to be put on meds.
Also, dont listen to people about it being "Cruel" Its not, its for the dogs benifet. Theres alot, and if you want I can tell you how its very benificail, but its alot to write down. So leave an edit if you want, and I will also.


EDIT: What breed is your dog. P.S
its not cruel and unhumane. Go get a life people.

Answer 2

Vets will not dock a tail of a 6 week old as this is no longer tail docking but is tail amputation. Once the nerves have developed which starts at approx 5 to 6 days of age they will not do this do to possible permanent injury to the dog or in some cases death. My breed requires tail docking to, under no circumstances unless the tail was injured would a reputable vet amputate a tail.
Docking is done at 2 to 5 days of age to avoid issues with the nerves. It is too late at this point unless you want to have a dog that could develop issues.

Answer 3

Vets will not 'dock' dogs tails after 10 days of age, unless there is a medical reason. After this time, it is considered amputation, which is a surgical procedure and therefore very expensive.

Docking was a practice originally developed for working dogs - these days it is only perpetuated by breeders who want to give customers what they expect from certain breeds. In this day and age, the practice is being gradually outlawed. In England, the law is currently changing so that only PROVEN working dogs can be docked.

There is no real medical benefit to docking - yes your dog *might* suffer a tail injury one day, but he probably won't - and if you're going to amputate a tail to save what *might* happen, you may as well cut the ears off, pull the teeth and claws and remove the voicebox, just to save from what *might* happen to them! OK I'm going overboard, but you get the idea.

I don't think you'll have much luck finding a vet who'll amputate a puppy's tail when there's no medical reason for it!

Chalice

Answer 4

It is possible to do but now instead of it being called a tail docking it's now a tail amputation. When he was a puppy (usually 3-5 days old) amputating the tail wouldn't have to entail sedation and anesthesia. Now that he's older he has a whole lot more nerves running down his tail and he would feel it a whole lot more now than if he was 3-5 days old. It's also a longer recovery time now than when he was younger. I wouldn't do it but that's entirely your choice but I feel it's not necessary. Now Boxers don't even have to have their ears cropped or tails docked to do shows.

Answer 5

NO vet will do this operation just because you want the tail off. Hardly any vets in the country do tail docking on 2 day old puppies because of the Animal Welfare Bill which came into force on April 6 2007.

If you didn't want the tail, why get the puppy in the first place?

Answer 6

Tail docking must be done by the time the puppy is 3 days old. Your puppy is now to old to have it done.

Answer 7

At age 6 weeks or later, this would be major surgery. You've really passed your window of opportunity for a simple docking.

You'll HAVE to consult with a veteranarian for cost, but also for advisability. You may even find that some veteranarians will decline to perform this surgery unless there is a truly compelling health reason for the dog.

Answer 8

Tail docking is not necessary for hygienic reasons or for working dogs, and is a painful and inhumane procedure that should not be performed for cosmetic reasons. More and more veterinarians are refusing to perform it. A dog’s tail is important both for balance and body language.

The Kennel Club in the UK has banned the exhibition of dogs with cropped ears or docked tails n dog shows as of 2007. The Canadian Kennel Club permits the showing of uncropped or undocked dogs; however, the “traditional” look is still the norm.

Tail docking is banned in many countries in Europe and has been banned in Australia since 2004, except when performed by a veterinarian for medical reasons. Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom voted to ban tail docking in March 2006, except for working dogs, where it can be a detriment and cause injury or for medical reasons.

The veterinary surgeons listed, alphabetically, on these pages all support
a complete ban on all non- therapeutic docking of dogs' tails.
http://www.vetsagainstdocking.co.uk/VAD-Vets-Against-Docking.A-C.html

The American Veterinarian Association gave the following statement:

The AVMA's position on ear cropping and tail docking, adopted on July 9, 1999, states: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries."


What a selfish individual you are! And you can create new nics and give me 50 thumbs down. I could care less, you are still a selfish, self centered individual with no concern for the well being of your animal. I hope everytime you look at yourself in the mirror you think about how you maimed an animal that shows unconditional, unbiased, never ending love and loyalty for your own superficial reasons.

Sorry Folks, I am just a strong believer in animal rights.

Answer 9

Its a lot more painful and reuqires a lot more after care also it will have serious pshycological reprecuations. Where as a 2 day old puppy won't remember.

Answer 10

Not necessary. If this is your pet and not a show dog, you don't need to worry about the expense and pain.
Put your money and energy into sterilization surgery.