Question 1

Do Dobermans Have Curly Tails?

Accepted Answer

This is probably one of the earliest decisions you’re going to have to make when it comes to your Doberman’s care because this decision is usually made before the dog’s even born. And that’s because the tail docking process usually happens when the dog’s only a few days old. When you decide if you want a doc-tailed dormant or not, make sure you communicate that with your breeder before the dog is even born. If you wait, it could easily be too late.

Question 2

Is Tail Docking Legal In The U.S.?

Accepted Answer

That depends heavily on where you live in the United States and Mexico. It is legal in some places in Canada, but that’s not the case everywhere, so make sure that you check your local laws before you decide.

Question 3

How Do You Dock A Puppy’s Tail?

Accepted Answer

Docking or cropping your dog’s tail is done using one of two methods. The first method is called the banding method, which is where something called a ligature (a small rubber band or even a real tight o-ring) is wrapped around the dog’s tail to cut off circulation. Then, a few days later, the tail drops off.

Question 4

Can I dock My Dog’s Tail At Home?

Accepted Answer

In the United States, it’s illegal to do this at home without sterile equipment and without anesthesia, which is, of course, is very controversial. Maybe there are breeders out there who do this at home themselves, but I would never recommend it.

Question 5

Do Puppies Feel Tail Docking?

Accepted Answer

Many professionals will tell you that when it is done soon after birth, the Doberman’s nerve endings haven’t even grown in the tail yet, which is why they believe that the dog does not feel any pain, but this is not true.

Question 6

At What Age Can You Dock A Dobermans Tail?

Accepted Answer

Typically it’s done between one to seven days old, and most professionals will tell you that the earlier, the better. When it comes to discomfort, if you go much later than that, or even worse as an adult dog, it’s equivalent to amputating a limb and comes with a lot more discomfort and trauma.

Question 7

How Much Does It Cost To Dock A Dog’s Tail?

Accepted Answer

The average price across the U.S is between $20 to $40 per newborn puppy. The procedure only takes between 10 to 20 minutes, so you can normally wait. After the procedure, you can normally take your dog home if there are no complications.

Question 8

How Long Should a Docked Doberman Tail Be?

Accepted Answer

The Doberman breed standard booklet for the Doberman pitcher says that the dog is supposed to have a docked tail at approximately the second joint.