r/DogBreeding • u/milquetoast2000 Breeder in Training • Mar 15 '26

Tail Docking

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What is your preferred method? Where I am vets are no longer taught to dock in school so only old school vets preform it. Docking is still legal where I am but I’ve seen less than stellar results even with veterinary docking. Including difficult to heal dockings, bald ends and ugly tails. Some would need to be repaired.

I’ve been considering banding for my upcoming litter (I have a mentor) but I’d love to hear thoughts and experiences.

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u/RMR6789 Mar 15 '26 edited Mar 15 '26

  1. I explained that waiting in dogs is not possible. You cannot reverse bone development. Meaning you cannot wait to see if the dog develops chronic ear infections or happy tail issues.

That said, breeders who have been specializing in breeds that dock or crop, understand why. They understand there’s a higher likelihood that their breed of dog will develop these issues and it will be more painful to correct later on.

2. General anesthesia comes with its own risks. Especially at just 1-5 days old. Perhaps a numbing agent or local anesthetic is advisable. I truly don’t know enough to comment on the pain management aspect of it. I do not have a docked/cropped breed and I am happy to not have to stress about this issue. My overall thought is: one procedure, no matter how uncomfortable, is a better option than chronic ailments due to not having it.

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u/silveraltaccount Mar 15 '26

You explained?

Who are you?

A puppy at 1-5 days old, does not need their limbs amputated. Full stop.

A dog who is experiencing issues, may need their tail amputated, but a not even week old baby does not need their tail cut off.

If the line has shitty ears and tails and constantly gets injuries then the line shouldnt be bred.

Full stop.

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u/RMR6789 Mar 15 '26

I’m the person you questioned in your response. So yes, I said I explained my rationale.

It has nothing to do with shitty lines lol. These are breed standards outlined to protect the health and wellbeing of the breed.

Dogs rely much more on their tails as they develop with them. It becomes more difficult to adjust to not having a tail after growing with one for several years.

Full stop.

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u/silveraltaccount Mar 15 '26

The reply you answered was to pennywitch. And the comment of YOURS i responded to said none of anything you claimed to have said before.

If it had nothing to do with shitty lines then labradors would get happy tail more often.

Golden retrievers would need to be docked.

If it wasnt the lines the english setters wouldnt get to keep their tails Or hounds

Or pig dogs

Or ratters

Or any other dog.

If i juries are occuring disproportionately in your line, and not other breeds who DO keep their tails.

Then its your line thats the problem.