Proper way to dock tails.

[DROOPY]

I am looking into getting a pup soon and im curious how what is the proper way to dock a pups tail . What are the procedures if anyone knows. I have seen many docked tails on rotties and other breeds where there is about 3" of the tail left and it really doesnt look good..... I want to make sure my pup gets it done right since the hole litter will be docked.

[brunie's mom]

The breeder will have the tails docked at 2-3 days of age. You will have nothing to do with the docking. A rottweiler should NOT have a 2-3 inch tail. Tail should be docked at the first or second vertebrae...depending on the breeders preference.

Please do your research on a COE breeder.

Gina

[Luvtails]

In the past when I had a litter I told the vet I liked them shortest possible without being totally amputated. If not I have heard stories about some vets doing them like boxers and dobe's because they don't know rottie standard. Should be between 1-2 veterbrae. When you go to looks at puppies they will already be done. A good rottweiler breeder will know the standard and they will be correct.

[cerulean]

Please research this alot. Some BYB breeders just do it themselves, often just twisting the little tail off. A bad job can lead to scarring, pain, and itching for the dogs' lifetime.... or worse.

Some members here have posted about the on-going problems their dogs have.... such as, the bone showing through because there isn't enough skin left to cover it. And infections, rawness from the dog trying to scratch the itch (a bone infection, in the worst case scenario, can lead to death).

Since you already know that the whole litter will be done, I am guessing that you are a friend of the breeder ??
If that person doesn't know how, they should DEFINATELY have a vet do the job.

My dog (a quality purebred, beautiful and powerful) has her natural tail, it is very expressive of her moods, and helps people to see that she is friendly and likes kids.... because she can wag.

[OnyxGold1]

You shouldn't need to worry about the procedure.....your breeder would have already had the tails docked at somewhere between birth to 5 days of age maximum.....with the preference being between 2-3 days.

I have seen some tails (in fact saw a dock job on a 6 month old last weekend at a show) that was outrageous.....nearly 4" tail. However that dog's breeder is rather well known around these parts as being a "do it yourselfer". Personally I would never have the stomach for that.

There are actually a couple of different ways that puppies tails are typically docked. The first (and I would say probably more common)....puppies are taken to the vet, tail shaved, anaethesized with local and then cut with scaple at between 1-2 vertebrae typically. Then the vet stitches over the tail flap and ensures that the nub is glued with a special surgical glue to aid in the stoppage of the bleeding.

The other way that I have heard of but personally have never done is by banding....ie putting a high strength elastic banding around the tail and then waiting for it to essentially fall off after several days not receiving blood flow.

I have personally never had the banding method done by my vet.....it just somehow strikes me as an inhumane method....although I have heard people swear by it. I have only heard of one acquaintance who banded with their first litter and heard thereafter that she would never dock tails with that method again. I never got into the details as to why or why not but it just hasn't been a method that I'm prepared to try.

Heather Peters

[Zumie05]

My pup's tail is about 3", maybe 4. And yes, he came from a BYB/mill type of situation.

This place does the tails themselves. Anything to save money right?

Now he has a longer docked tail than the standard (but hey, I kindof like it now he can actually wag it, have it up, or tuck it in), plus a bald spot at the tip. You cannot see it unless you pull the extra skin back, but he still has a bald spot. I am lucky that he doesn't have any pain or itching though.

My best advice is to do as much research on COE breeders on this website as possible. I joined this forum unfortunately after I had purchased my puppy, and learned all the horrible mistakes I made.

Please don't be hasty in picking up a puppy! If you do everything right, you will have a beautiful well tempered pup with an awesome tail job

[DROOPY]

Thank you all for your input on this. I agree with the surgical method it seems like its the correct way to dock a tail..

[poohbearsmom]

The dock will vary more between veterinarians I think. I stood by on the B litter and told him exactly where I wanted the tails cut, as Attila's got a longer nub than I like.

My veterinarian uses a tool that looks like a pair of pliers (it's a blacksmith tool, I believe). Snip and glue.

Some veterinarians will tie the tails still, as will some experienced breeders.

I'll leave the docking to the pros, myself.

[StephanieandToby]

Are you getting another puppy?? So soon?

[DROOPY]

Poohbearsmom YES definately leaving it to the the pros , i would'nt concider doing it my self ....

Hey Stephanie looks like i am, i wasnt planning on it till later on. An opportunity for this one pup came up that i just am going for it .. If everything goes right i should have the pup before the year is over. Good to hear from you take care.