Tail docking, when being spayed question
This puppy still has her tail and the vet said they could dock it the same time she is spayed. That way she only has to be put under once. Makes sense. I've heard this is rather painful, the tail docking at an older age then for a newborn and some people say just leave the tail due to this. But part of the charm of the OES to me atleast is that tailless bum and also it seems it would be pretty hard to keep her rear end clean with a big fluffy tail back there. Would you please share your thoughts on this. We haven't made a decision yet but are leaning towards having her tail removed. Thanks |
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How old is she? I don't have a lot of experience with tail docking at a later age (or at any age really since Clyde came docked) but I would hate to put the dog through any unnecessary pain. My other dog is a Briard mix with a full tail and it's really not that bad keeping the area clean. In fact, sometimes it keeps things from, uh, getting out and on on things like the carpet, if you know what I mean!  |
| They say she is between 12 and 14 weeks. |
| They usually dock the tail between 1-3 days after a pup is born due to the fact that the nerve endings on the tail are not completely formed. Personally, I don't think I would dock the tail at this age but I really do not know how much pain will be caused by this. I personally wouldn't get her spayed until at least 6 months - some say to wait until after her first heat cycle but I'm not sure what the benefit is do do this either. |
Welcome to the forum, Shuffles! 
Where in NC are you located? I'm in the Hickory area. 
We have members here from the UK where they do not dock tails (for the most part). I'm sure they can tell you what it's like having a sheepie with a tail. Personally, I think they're lovely with or without a tail. I'm not sure how much pain would be caused by docking at this age. What does your vet say about the pain/recovery time? |
| Very small world!
I'm in the Hickory area too. My vet says it is a personal choice. That the pain can be managed with pain meds and the heal time is relatively quick with proper care. We wouldn't be getting her spayed until she is about 6 months old, so we have a few months to decide. |
| Oh my goodness! I'm so excited to have another forum member in my area!!
Where did you find the puppy? What is her name? |
| It seems like a big surgery to do just for looks at that age. Without being an expert on pain it just seems like an unnecessary step. But if you trust your vet then go ahead with what he says.
Congrats on the puppy! |
| Welcome to the forum... but why dock the tail at all? I don't think it seems prudent, it is only a cosmetic procedure, and it should have been done right after birth, but now it will cause intense pain and it may get infected etc as well.
Whenther the tail is there or not, if grooming is not caught up there will be copious amounts of hair growing over her behind that will cause the same problems if not trimmed, brushed and cleaned regularly. |
| Welcome to the Forum,
If your not showing your dog than I wouldn't. My Mollie had a tail and there were no problems with it. Actually, I have to clean Beau's butt (he doesn't have a tail) more often than I did Mollie's. If it wasn't done 1-2 days after she was born, I'd say: she was meant to be with a tail. That's just my personal opinion. I thought Mollie looked great with a tail. |
| Welcome and congrats on your new puppy.
My sheepie, Murphy has a stump..not bobbed.. but not long.. somewhere in between.. and I am glad he does.. I love when he gets really excited and his tail and bum are going a mile a minute.. wiggling all over the place. When I rescued him at 13 months old someone suggested that I get his tail docked.. but I remembered when my brother-in-law was in his late 30ish (he will kill me if he knows I told this story), he was.. hummmm.. circumcised and he said it was the most painful thing he has every endured.. he wished it was done when he was an infant.. then at least he wouldn't remember the pain.... I didn't want Murphy to feel the pain of having a piece of him cut off.. so I decided to leave the stump and I'm glad I did...when he happy it's swinging.. when he bad.. it shaking and when he swims it's like a rudder that steers him.. and most of all when he lays on the floor and I talk to him.. it's a duster for my wood floors. |
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Our rescued kid, Murphy (2 more weeks!  ) has a beautiful NUB...it looks like a furry stick and I LOVE IT! I like to see whether the tail is wagging too! I have to really stare at Gooch's butt to see if it is wiggling or not! 
I would personally just leave the tail as is too. Colleen and The Gooch=>I have tail envy!  I love all my Golden Retriever friends tails...I just stand behind them and let it fan my face. |
| Ohhhhh please leave the tail!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know why the whole tail docking thing started. I personally think it is barbaric and stupid (sorry, don't mean to offend) If you go online and look at some of the sheepies in Europe you will see that they all have their tails and they are ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love my sheepie to have a tail!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are not planning to show your dog then I say KEEP THE TAIL AND ENJOY IT  Then your pup will always have something to swat flies with!!
Welcome to the forum! Shuffels is adorable and I love his tail! |
| Shuffles,
Welcome to the forum, it is a great community and an excellent resource. Quote: This puppy still has her tail and the vet said they could dock it the same time she is spayed. That way she only has to be put under once. Makes sense
While this makes sense in terms of number of surgeries docking after 7 days of age (usual timeframe is 2-3 days) is very strongly discouraged by all responsible veterinarians, breeders and breed-knowledgable people. At 12-14 weeks you are now talking about MAJOR surgery on the SPINAL COLUMN that is now fully formed and functional. Docking at this age or older should ONLY be undertaken if there is an emergency requirement such as serious injury or illness (infection, gang green etc). While I have posted here before in adamant, some might say vociferous and zealous, support of docking, PLEASE DO NOT DOCK THIS PUPPY. For a pet the benefits are only cosmetic and the price in terms of the puppy's pain, potential nervous system complications and your own expenses and stress during her convalesence are not worth it! There is also much debate as to what age to spay and neuter puppies. While many now advocate spaying and neutering at very young ages there are many who recommend waiting until at least 6 months to allow for more growth maturity and hormone balance. My personal preference is 8-9 months minimum. Please don't take my "forcefullness" the wrong way. Like everyone here I am only trying to help answer your questions and recommend what the "collective experience " has shown to be best. I fully understand your feelings on the appeal of a "wigglebutt" but by someone else's error your little girl is now ill-suited for docking. As always I remain available for further discussion either on line or by PM and e-mail. Thanks and Cheers Carl |
| Hi All: As I understand the issue of tail docking, the custom originated apparently in England as working dogs' owners were taxed by the number of tails, not the number of dogs that they owned. The owners started docking tails to avoid the tax.
I would agree that your puppy shouldn't be docked at this older age because of the risk involved. I would take the careful route just in case. Best wishes. Lynda |
| My boy is 5 months old and we just had him neutuered. We got him from a pound at 9 weeks old, and he had a full tail. I am happy to say he still does! My husband was very unsure about him not being bobbed, but now that we are used to it we love it. People we meet often don't recognize him for an OES, but once we explain we get many compliments. Please don't put her through any unnecessary pain and discomfort. At this age it is almost like cutting off an arm. She would have problems walking, too, as she has been using it for balence etc. up to this stage. Plus it will be sore for her to sit for a while. |
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