When tails don't get docked - YorkieTalk.com Forums

sandybobb · 08-14-2008, 05:01 PM

I have a litter that was premature by a few days.... tiny really thin babies; one didn't make it. When they were a week old, the vet advised me they were still too small to get their tails docked - just 6.5 and 7 oz. Well, Lo and behold now they are too big & docking will require soft tissue surgery!! Vet recommended that when they get neutered, the tails can be docked at that time - if the new mom/dad desires. Has anyone dealt with this situation? Did you have pups neutered and tails docked before you found them new homes?

bjh · 08-14-2008, 05:22 PM

Personally, unless the dogs are going to be shown, I would not put a young adult through the pain of having their tail cut off. I do know of one lady that had a dog imported that had his tail and she had it docked but she was going to show the dog. I guess it will be a matter of preference.

Also, I must add that I am not an advocate of early (before 6 months) spaying and neutering.

jadecomputergal · 08-14-2008, 05:27 PM

The whole tail docking thing to me is kind of silly. (You can search for other threads about this.) It's purely cosmetic. Unless you're selling for show, which you probably aren't if you want them altered, most people who buy for pets aren't going to care.

I love to see little dog tails wagging. One of my rescues was improperly docked and basically has no tail. I definitely would not put a dog under anesthesia just for docking, and actually, I wouldn't have it done regardless of other surgical procedures if it wasn't done as a newborn. I would gladly buy a Yorkie with an undocked tail, and I wouldn't expect a discount for it. Even if they're breeding quality, the tail doesn't affect anything.

(Please don't offer to sell one of them to me. There's a nice lady on here who has "banned from shopping" as part of her nick. I'm not banned from shopping, but I'm banned from shopping for more Yorkies until my husband makes another big trip to the hardware store.)

jadecomputergal · 08-14-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

Personally, unless the dogs are going to be shown, I would not put a young adult through the pain of having their tail cut off. I do know of one lady that had a dog imported that had his tail and she had it docked but she was going to show the dog. I guess it will be a matter of preference.

Also, I must add that I am not an advocate of early (before 6 months) spaying and neutering.

BJH posted hers at the same time I was posting mine.

sandybobb · 08-14-2008, 05:53 PM

THANK YOU for your replies. I was thinking the same thing. Why put these kids thru this unless they could show. Altho we have nice ch lines, i certainly couldn't tell this young if they would be show potential. I was aware that biewers tails weren't docked, but didn't know that foreign yorkins tails were entire. Glad to hear your opinions.... I appreciate your responses. Thanks again!

Gabbymom · 08-14-2008, 06:01 PM

My Gabby has a tail, and I think it's the cutest. Some people love tails. I bet they'll go quick!

How much will they be? I better stop,my hubby would kill me. lol

Gabbymom · 08-14-2008, 06:02 PM

I forgot to beg for pictures!

my2boyz · 08-14-2008, 06:14 PM

We have 4 Biewers and their tails seem to be their pride and joy...they are so expressive with their tails that it's comical. I know people worry about the whole 'cling-on' issue but we have had no trouble at all at potty time. I would be hesitant to dock a tail at 6 months or more purely for cosmetic reasons and at the same time as a spay or neuter. Wouldn't that be a lot of pain and/or trauma for a pup to deal with all at once?

YorkieRose · 08-15-2008, 04:19 AM

I have seen two adults in the last year who had their tails done by laser. Both were adults when imported and had full tails..both were bought to show. One had the tail done the day before and one 3 days before...I could not tell there was any incision, no scab, nothing..it looked like a perfectly healed tail end.
I would not bother for a pet...but good to know if a dog grew up to be a show potential.

JaLaYorkieGirl · 08-15-2008, 10:59 AM

I personally love full tails...there is nothing cuter than them wagging that flag behind them! I love it...and truly hope that someday it is at least optional.

sandybobb · 08-15-2008, 05:47 PM

I haven't gotten that far yet - how much????!!! =) my daughter is excited about seeing a yorkin grow up with a tail! Thank you Yorkie Rose for the information re: lasering. An option I didn't know existed! I also think that any kind of 'surgical altering' should be optional with all breeds. Maybe someday! I will post pictures when they up on their feet and you can see their little tails... eyes barely opened, they just turned 3 weeks today.

JeanieK · 08-15-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandybobb

I have a litter that was premature by a few days.... tiny really thin babies; one didn't make it. When they were a week old, the vet advised me they were still too small to get their tails docked - just 6.5 and 7 oz. Well, Lo and behold now they are too big & docking will require soft tissue surgery!! Vet recommended that when they get neutered, the tails can be docked at that time - if the new mom/dad desires. Has anyone dealt with this situation? Did you have pups neutered and tails docked before you found them new homes?

I find it interesting that the vet thought they were too small at 6 to 7 ounces. people who sell the tinies must have them done at 2 ounces or less. I had one little boy that I felt was too fragile at just 2 ounces, so he still has his tail, but all the rest of mine are 3 to 4 ounces at 3 days when they do them.

T Doll · 08-15-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjh

Personally, unless the dogs are going to be shown, I would not put a young adult through the pain of having their tail cut off. I do know of one lady that had a dog imported that had his tail and she had it docked but she was going to show the dog. I guess it will be a matter of preference.

Also, I must add that I am not an advocate of early (before 6 months) spaying and neutering.

I've heard that's it's good to have them spayed/neutered at around 5-6 months. Is that not recommended then? I wanted to have Mocha neutered at around that age, but I waited a little longer because he's so tiny.

C C Kent · 08-15-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeanieK

I find it interesting that the vet thought they were too small at 6 to 7 ounces. people who sell the tinies must have them done at 2 ounces or less. I had one little boy that I felt was too fragile at just 2 ounces, so he still has his tail, but all the rest of mine are 3 to 4 ounces at 3 days when they do them.

We do our own at 3-4 oz and have never had a problem. A couple of twists and there back in with mommy. It gets harder if you wait until they are older than about three days. I have seen old school breeders do the tails as the puppies were being born.

bjh · 08-15-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Doll

I've heard that's it's good to have them spayed/neutered at around 5-6 months. Is that not recommended then? I wanted to have Mocha neutered at around that age, but I waited a little longer because he's so tiny.

Here is an interesting article that discusses the pro's and con's of early spaying and neutering.
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf

08-14-2008, 05:01 PM	#1
sandybobb Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 170	When tails don't get docked I have a litter that was premature by a few days.... tiny really thin babies; one didn't make it. When they were a week old, the vet advised me they were still too small to get their tails docked - just 6.5 and 7 oz. Well, Lo and behold now they are too big & docking will require soft tissue surgery!! Vet recommended that when they get neutered, the tails can be docked at that time - if the new mom/dad desires. Has anyone dealt with this situation? Did you have pups neutered and tails docked before you found them new homes?

08-14-2008, 05:22 PM	#2
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	Personally, unless the dogs are going to be shown, I would not put a young adult through the pain of having their tail cut off. I do know of one lady that had a dog imported that had his tail and she had it docked but she was going to show the dog. I guess it will be a matter of preference. Also, I must add that I am not an advocate of early (before 6 months) spaying and neutering. Last edited by bjh; 08-14-2008 at 05:24 PM.

08-14-2008, 05:27 PM	#3
jadecomputergal Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: West Chester, PA, USA Posts: 323	I agree with the vet The whole tail docking thing to me is kind of silly. (You can search for other threads about this.) It's purely cosmetic. Unless you're selling for show, which you probably aren't if you want them altered, most people who buy for pets aren't going to care. I love to see little dog tails wagging. One of my rescues was improperly docked and basically has no tail. I definitely would not put a dog under anesthesia just for docking, and actually, I wouldn't have it done regardless of other surgical procedures if it wasn't done as a newborn. I would gladly buy a Yorkie with an undocked tail, and I wouldn't expect a discount for it. Even if they're breeding quality, the tail doesn't affect anything. (Please don't offer to sell one of them to me. There's a nice lady on here who has "banned from shopping" as part of her nick. I'm not banned from shopping, but I'm banned from shopping for more Yorkies until my husband makes another big trip to the hardware store.)

08-15-2008, 04:19 AM	#9
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	laser I have seen two adults in the last year who had their tails done by laser. Both were adults when imported and had full tails..both were bought to show. One had the tail done the day before and one 3 days before...I could not tell there was any incision, no scab, nothing..it looked like a perfectly healed tail end. I would not bother for a pet...but good to know if a dog grew up to be a show potential.

08-15-2008, 10:59 AM	#10
JaLaYorkieGirl YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,079	I personally love full tails...there is nothing cuter than them wagging that flag behind them! I love it...and truly hope that someday it is at least optional. __________________ Jackie JaLa Yorkshire Terriers

08-14-2008, 05:53 PM	#5
sandybobb Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 170	THANK YOU for your replies. I was thinking the same thing. Why put these kids thru this unless they could show. Altho we have nice ch lines, i certainly couldn't tell this young if they would be show potential. I was aware that biewers tails weren't docked, but didn't know that foreign yorkins tails were entire. Glad to hear your opinions.... I appreciate your responses. Thanks again!

08-14-2008, 06:01 PM	#6
Gabbymom YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 300	My Gabby has a tail, and I think it's the cutest. Some people love tails. I bet they'll go quick! How much will they be? I better stop,my hubby would kill me. lol

08-14-2008, 06:02 PM	#7
Gabbymom YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 300	I forgot to beg for pictures!

08-14-2008, 06:14 PM	#8
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	We have 4 Biewers and their tails seem to be their pride and joy...they are so expressive with their tails that it's comical. I know people worry about the whole 'cling-on' issue but we have had no trouble at all at potty time. I would be hesitant to dock a tail at 6 months or more purely for cosmetic reasons and at the same time as a spay or neuter. Wouldn't that be a lot of pain and/or trauma for a pup to deal with all at once?

08-15-2008, 05:47 PM	#11
sandybobb Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 170	I haven't gotten that far yet - how much????!!! =) my daughter is excited about seeing a yorkin grow up with a tail! Thank you Yorkie Rose for the information re: lasering. An option I didn't know existed! I also think that any kind of 'surgical altering' should be optional with all breeds. Maybe someday! I will post pictures when they up on their feet and you can see their little tails... eyes barely opened, they just turned 3 weeks today. Last edited by sandybobb; 08-15-2008 at 05:49 PM.