Tail docked too short.... is it hopeless?

[tjdmom]

One of my pups tails got docked a bit too short. Or course it's the one I wanted to keep and get my feet wet with showing. The 2 males tails are perfect but hers is too short and she doesn't carry it straight up, well maybe she does but it doesn't look like it cause it's short. Is there any hope that it will look ok when she gets older?

[Amazing Yorkies]

Don't you just hate that!! Do you have pics? It's not hopeless, but it sure is harder..

[bjh]

In the beginning, before I got interested in showing, I was taught that you should cut the tail where the brown meets the black on the underside of the tail but I know now that is to short for a show dog. I cut mine longer now. I would much rather a tail docked to long than one to short. I think it can effect their appearance in the show ring if the tail is to short and I have also been told it can effect their movement. There are some dogs that just don't like to carry their tails up, whether they are the right length or not. Is her tail set correct? We would love to see pictures.

[Mardelin]

Wait and see what it looks like when as she grows. Keep in mind that it may throw off the overall look of her balance.

In the future, I would measure prior to allowing the vet cut. Remember, vets didn't go to school to learn where to dock each individual breed's tail.

A quarter to half inch into the black is where it should be cut. However, I just learned (from a vet a sure sign of knowing that is correct). Pull the tail toward the vagina/scrotum....and cut just where it meets it. His reasoning was, that the 1/4 to 1/2 inch is not as precise. Measuring his way will insure that the tail is docked to each dogs size/growth/structure, etc. I used his method and by gosh it worked.

[Little Bit]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Wait and see what it looks like when as she grows. Keep in mind that it may throw off the overall look of her balance.

In the future, I would measure prior to allowing the vet cut. Remember, vets didn't go to school to learn where to dock each individual breed's tail.

A quarter to half inch into the black is where it should be cut. However, I just learned (from a vet a sure sign of knowing that is correct). Pull the tail toward the vagina/scrotum....and cut just where it meets it. His reasoning was, that the 1/4 to 1/2 inch is not as precise. Measuring his way will insure that the tail is docked to each dogs size/growth/structure, etc. I used his method and by gosh it worked.

Do you have him cut while the tail is down or up?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Little Bit

Do you have him cut while the tail is down or up?

I do my own tails, so I measure, then dock. Tails are up.

[tjdmom]

I did tell the vet how to dock their tails. I think the 2 boys came out perfectly but for whatever reason the girls came out too short. I was not in the room when he did her tail so I'm not sure if something happened although I can't imagine. I just think maybe he misjudged or something. But he's a wonderul vet so I'd never complain but why did it have to be her tail??

Anyways, here's a video I took of her tail and her brothers tail. I hope you can see it ok- they are so wiggley! ..... Maybe it's just a sign - I keep thinking I should start showing with a male.....

YouTube - VID00082

[Mardelin]

My mentor told me story about when she first started almost 50 years ago. She'd taken a litter to the vet's (now her vet and mine), fresh out of school. Each and every puppy's tail was different. She was upset, talked to the older vet in the office that was retiring. He told her, well you know we didn't go to school to learn how to dock tails for each breed. So, if you want it done according to breed standard, then I'll show you how to do it and you take over the docking yourself.

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

My mentor told me story about when she first started almost 50 years ago. She'd taken a litter to the vet's (now her vet and mine), fresh out of school. Each and every puppy's tail was different. She was upset, talked to the older vet in the office that was retiring. He told her, well you know we didn't go to school to learn how to dock tails for each breed. So, if you want it done according to breed standard, then I'll show you how to do it and you take over the docking yourself.

Which method do you use to do their tails? I know I should do this myself as the vet's office is not the best place for them to be at less than a week old.... it's really the dew claws that bother me more.....

[bjh]

It is hard to tell for sure but it looks to me that her tail set is lower than the males and it makes her tail look shorter. She has lots of puppy coat so once her coat is laying flat you will be able to tell more. For me it is a lot easier to judge their structure when they are wet. They are adorable puppies. How old are they now?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

Which method do you use to do their tails? I know I should do this myself as the vet's office is not the best place for them to be at less than a week old.... it's really the dew claws that bother me more.....

Now remember there are a couple of methods. The one she taught me was the diagnal cut with surgical scissors. A cut on each side of the tail and twist, making sure I pull up the little muscle to insure the tail stays up. Hubby usually does it, I hold. He puts pressure on the tail prior to snipping. His fingers applying pressure, then he adds Colitsol (sp). We then put the pup beside us in a softely line box to keep on eye on it for bleeding (haven't had any yet), while we do the next pup dew claws and tail.

Do they yelp, yes a bit. But, as soon as I put them in with mom, all is well.

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by bjh

It is hard to tell for sure but it looks to me that her tail set is lower than the males and it makes her tail look shorter. She has lots of puppy coat so once her coat is laying flat you will be able to tell more. For me it is a lot easier to judge their structure when they are wet. They are adorable puppies. How old are they now?

8 weeks yesterday. Yes, sometimes I look and think her tail is set too low, maybe you are right.... Thank you - I think they are adorable too but I know I'm a little biased!

[bjh]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

8 weeks yesterday. Yes, sometimes I look and think her tail is set too low, maybe you are right.... Thank you - I think they are adorable too but I know I'm a little biased!

I have seen some dogs do well in the show ring with slightly low tail sets. She is still young so I would evaluate her at 12 weeks.

[Mardelin]

You may have to run her on until she's 6 months of age. That is if you're heart is really set on her.

Keep in mind a low tail set can throw off a topline....A topline and tail set go hand in hand. Then of course your head carriage.

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Now remember there are a couple of methods. The one she taught me was the diagnal cut with surgical scissors. A cut on each side of the tail and twist, making sure I pull up the little muscle to insure the tail stays up. Hubby usually does it, I hold. He puts pressure on the tail prior to snipping. His fingers applying pressure, then he adds Colitsol (sp). We then put the pup beside us in a softely line box to keep on eye on it for bleeding (haven't had any yet), while we do the next pup dew claws and tail.

Do they yelp, yes a bit. But, as soon as I put them in with mom, all is well.

Interesting. I did help my vet do my smallest males tail. Not really helped, just held him really. But I believe he cut right across with the scissors. And he put a couple stitches in both the dew claws and tail. I think the stitches seemed to hurt worse than the actual clipping. As for the muscle... do you just pull up on the tail or do you feel around for a muscle..... I suppose I should go back and search for instructions. I'm sure they are here somewhere although I know everyone does it a little different.....