New Puppy Question

[mmanzer]

Hi Everyone!

I just bought my second boxer today and he will be ready to bring home on Christmas Day! When I was visiting with the owners, they did not want to dock the tail of the dogs. What I'm wondering is when is it to late to dock their tails?

Any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
matthew

 

[harleyboxer]

I work for a vet office and one of the girls that I work with got a doberman from the shelter that still had his tail. She had it docked at almost 5 months. The vet I work for does cosmetic surgery though.

 

[Maniago]

Tail docking is done around 3 days old. I am assuming your pup will be 8 weeks old so yes it is too late. At that age it is considered amputation.

 

[boxer]

Just to clarify the difference here: pup's tails are normally docked at 2 days old - before their nervous systems are fully developed. That makes it a pretty minor procedure, not even requiring anasthetic. If you wait much longer than that, then the pupy's system develops and docking becomes a full blown amputation surgery, requiring a general anasthetic with all it's attendant risks.

With that being the case, I personally would be inclined either not to dock at all or to wait until you puppy is a little older than 8 weeks and will handle surgery more easily. The only exception would be if you're also cropping ears (has to be before 12 weeks), in which case it would be best to do both procedures at the same time.

 

[crazychopper]

tail docking

I don't know to many vets that would doc tails after 4 days at the very latest

 

[Erica&Riley]

My Riley's tail was not docked and I think it looks cute....everyone we meet comments on her tail and says that they like the boxer better with a tail! If it were me I would be cautious about docking the tail when you pick your baby up...I would think it be be alot more painful and a much bigger surgical procedure for your baby. My vet said that she doesn't know many vets who even do ear cropping anymore.

Good luck with whatever you choose!