Docking...after the fact...

[Kia]

I didn't know where to put this, so if it's not in the right place just move it lol

OK this is a hypothetical question.

Say you found a breeder overseas you loved but they were in a country that banned cropping and docking. You want said puppy for conformation showing here.

The puppy is shipped to you at 12 weeks old.

Would it be "cruel" to dock the tail at the time the ears are done?

[doberdelight]

in my opinion yes it would be cruel. At that age isnt it considered amputation?

the pup is old enough to know it has a tail and old enough to recognise pain

[Shadowlands]

Hmmmm...but for arguements sake let us ask this question: If they know the difference and can feel the pain etc, why crop at 12 weeks? What is the difference? I don't understand why it is classified amputation only because they feel pain and know that they had a tail?

Personally, I would have to seriously weigh my options and see if this pup has what it takes to do well in the show ring etc before making any decisions. I think the pup would have to have exceptional bone structure, movement etc for me to make that move. But then, I would have already had to have thought about that before buying a pup that has not been C&D'd in the first place.

[trinitydobes]

purely hypothetically - I would have no problem cropping and docking a pup received from europe prior to 12 weeks - if importing I would prefer to get the puppy closer to 8 weeks, that is more a function of the ears and tail are smaller at 8 weeks than at 12 weeks.

Cropping and Docking done at this age would still be done under anesthesia, and the puppy would go home with pain meds. Many times the mother has removed the stitches from the tail docked at 2 days old and these tails always scar and always need to be redone while the pup is out to have his ears done.

One of the benefits to waiting later to dock is that they are weaned and the mother is not able to mess with the stitches!!! so its one time and done.

Cropping and docking when done by a veterinarian, no matter what age is no more cruel than performing the very invasive, major surgery of spaying.

Just my 2 cents

[HEXE- TINA]

I agree with what Gail said. Aesa got docked later, then usual, because the breeder didn't know which pups would go to Europe and which she would keep and since she wanted hers all natural, because she might send hers overseas to get showed and trialed, she had to leave them all natural. Aesa took it like nothing, no difference and she was of and running after it, like nothing happens. She got her ears and tail done to the same time, without problems. So i think there is no difference. I met a Boxer who got the tail done with around 5 month and even then it was no problem and no complication. Only difference with the boxer was the price to get it done But it gor docked from a vet and it was fine with it. Same gilt for every other pup, it has to be done from a experienced vet.

[damasyn]

I personally would have no issues docking at a later date..12 wks or so. To me, it would be just like a spay or neuter, but with a little more meds ( as above ). But also on a personal level...if say at 18 weeks, I would just say, leave it.

[gunslinger2006]

I had gotten a female, she was docked but was, IMO, too long. So I had it shortened to the second (tail bone?). It was a royal pain keeping her from chewing at and such. But it did heal up and looked great. Now would I do the same (shorten a docked tail, say bone 3 or 4 to 2nd) again, no. I woud have a complete tail docked at 12 or 14 weeks, yes. It would still be less intrusive than a spay would be. IMO