Tails

[emorgan49]

I have had three rotties but I still have a stupid question. What is the "correct" tail? #1 had a long tail (made me understand that docking was actually quite practical) #2 had a fleshy stump that had been deboned. # 3 has a longish (4 inch) stump with bones. Why are the so different?

[lblax]

tails if docked should be 1 to 2 vertibrea long

[Shelbud]

Hi,
I thought tail docking was mean and hurtful when I started out with rotties,but like you said I do understand why they get docked,now. My first two rotties got there tail dockes by a prof. docker,or at least he docked liked one...Very good job he did.I don't know the exact size a tail should be docked at but I do know it should lay and sorta tuck ...like lay against the dogs behind.and It should be a clean look to it no bones or skin(bad thought thinkin about it) left to see with the eye.My buddy a 3 year old rotty...has a beautiful docked tail! The litter he had(with the moma of course) Has terrible docked tails...I didnt do my reasearch on the vet I guess.Some of the tails look like dobbie tails..way too long and they stick out! some look like a hack job..skin and bone sticking out.poor things...I guess if I had to measure buddy's tail it would be 1.5 inches long.and like I said it lays almost like it was meant to fit against his backside.I hope any of this info helps.....ShelBud

[Goniella]

From the AKC website----

Tail--Tail docked short, close to body, leaving one or two tail vertebrae. The set of the tail is more important than length. Properly set, it gives an impression of elongation of topline; carried slightly above horizontal when the dog is excited or moving.


the following are pictures of examples of correct docks, the first is a 2 year old male

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2/fdd3fa05.jpg

This one is a 12 week old female
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...c/fdd3fa17.jpg

[Tri-Star]

I think the problem lies with breeders that don't go in and at least watch the dock so as they can tell the Vet how short they want them done.
Personally I hold the puppy upside down and hover over the Vet. Now my Vet knows what I like and calls it the Tri-Star cut!

[RottenGirl]

Can tails be docked when the dog is older? My Allie still has her tail and smacks it on everything! I am really worried that she will end up injurying herself, one of the kids (they are 4), or breaking something. She just whips that sucker around and around. I can definately see why they dock them! I didn't think it was a big deal when the rescue shelter said she still had her tail and still don't (not really). She is 3 1/2 mos old and I would rather dock it now instead of later after it is injured!

[German Vanegas]

Originally posted by RottenGirl
Can tails be docked when the dog is older? My Allie still has her tail and smacks it on everything! ... She is 3 1/2 mos old and I would rather dock it now instead of later after it is injured!

Not recommended. At ther age it would be an unneccesary painful amputation. Bear in mind that tails come NATURALLY with the dog for a reason, while tail docking is purely cosmetic and nothing else.

[damp]

Originally posted by RottenGirl
Can tails be docked when the dog is older? My Allie still has her tail and smacks it on everything! I am really worried that she will end up injurying herself, one of the kids (they are 4), or breaking something. She just whips that sucker around and around. I can definately see why they dock them! I didn't think it was a big deal when the rescue shelter said she still had her tail and still don't (not really). She is 3 1/2 mos old and I would rather dock it now instead of later after it is injured!

Sure… dogs can damage the tail (just as other parts of the body)
:(

Yes… sure the tail can clear a coffee table, overturn your most loved and valuable household effects and ache small kids…but as long at it’s the tail and NOT “the other end of the dog” that causes these problems, I think your dog is just fine. :)


I agree German…

[RSQRottweiler]

Originally posted by RottenGirl
Can tails be docked when the dog is older? My Allie still has her tail and smacks it on everything! I am really worried that she will end up injurying herself, one of the kids (they are 4), or breaking something. She just whips that sucker around and around. I can definately see why they dock them! I didn't think it was a big deal when the rescue shelter said she still had her tail and still don't (not really). She is 3 1/2 mos old and I would rather dock it now instead of later after it is injured!

My Sebastian has about 1/3 to 1/2 of a tail -- his "breeder" apparently tried a do-it-yourself job. It looks weird, it hurts when he thwacks you with it, and it has knocked over its fair share of beverages and other items placed on low tables by unsuspecting house guests -- but I would never consider having him re-docked. It's so much a part of his goofy personality, any damage it does is just a minor inconvenience and part of dog ownership. ;)

Audrey

[DixieGrl113]

Beau had his tail docked late. When I got him from my "great" neighbors (3months old) they had just had his tail docked. The area was VERY painful for him and he had a problem with anyone touching his butt. he would cry and run if you tried to touch him on or around his behind. There was a nasty scab there and the area is still ugly. (a year later) His stub hairs are long enough now that you can't tell how bad it really was. If your Rottie is didn't come to you docked and is a couple months old now, I definately wouldn't have them docked. Too many nerves have developed. If it was a medical nessessity that's a different story. just my .02 :)

One more thing. The tails represented in the pictures above....I always thought that docks like that were too short. Roxanne's is like that and I can't feel any vertebrae at all. Zeus, Dacey and Beau all have a slightly longer dock that looks more correct to me. I'm glad I saw those pictures!