blueberrygirl: Can I still crop and dock my miniature pinscher's ears and tail if he's 3 months old?
Photo Credit: rengber/Flickr CC
Answers and Views:
Answer by RnD
why would you want to put a dog - a pup through a totally unnecessary operation??
Answer by BMTHESPIAN
It is too late for the dock Docking is done at 2-3 days old, 5 days at the latest. After that, it is an amputation and no responsible vet will do a cosmetic amputation. If he is just now 12 weeks old he is at the outside limit for being cropped. Cropping is done at 7-12 weeks of age, if he is over 12 weeks old he is too old to be cropped also.
Answer by cindy
In fact, you can actually get your dog’s ears cropped at any age if you really … Just keep in mind it’s a more traumatic and painful surgery for older dogs. That said, it’s best to get the procedure done before 12 weeks of age.
dobermans look like HELL without their ears and tails done, sorry but true… people pierce their ears… so what? lighten up pita peeps
Answer by Chapes
It is dangerous to do that–DON"T.
Answer by Tulip
What is ear cropping?
Ear cropping is a surgery that is performed on puppies when they are 9 to 12 weeks old. The pups are anesthetized and part of the ear flap is removed. After surgery, splints and tape hold the ears upright. The veterinarian has to change the bandages regularly until the ears are healed and erect. This may take up to 20 weeks and some ears fail to stand.
Why is ear cropping an issue?
Ear cropping can cause pain and infection, and there are risks with general anesthesia. Ear cropping can also affect behavior because it is done when puppies are learning about their environment and are developing social behavior. The pain of ear cropping may make puppies afraid of handling and new situations. These experiences can affect the pups’ behavior when they become adults.
What is tail docking?
Tail docking is a surgery that is performed on puppies when they are 3 to 5 days old: part of the tail is cut off. Usually, there is no anesthetic, but local anesthetic may be used. Some breeders put an elastic band around the tail instead. This cuts off the circulation and, after a while, the tail drops off.
Why is tail docking an issue?
Tail docking can cause infection and chronic pain. The pain occurs because extra nerve cells grow in the stump of the tail.
Why are these procedures done?
Ear cropping and tail docking are done to change a dog’s appearance. They are not required for health reasons.
- How much to get a Doberman pinschers ears cropped?
- How can I get a Doberman with legally docked tail and cropped ears?
- Is it so necessary to cut the ears of a Cane Corso?
- Why Caucasian Ovcharkas have their ears cropped short?
People began doing the procedures hundreds of years ago when there were few veterinarians. Tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back and improve speed and agility. Ear cropping and tail docking were done in some working breeds to prevent injury while they worked. However, many other working breeds did not have cropped ears or docked tails — for example, retrievers and setters.
Ear cropping and tail docking are still done today because they are traditional for the breed. However, many countries have banned the procedures and breed clubs have accepted this. In those countries, people are used to seeing all breeds with natural ears and tails.
OTHER COUNTRIES
• Ear cropping is illegal in Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries. Tail docking is illegal in Norway, Sweden, Cyprus, Greece, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Finland, Germany, and in Australia.
• Let the breeder know from the start that you do not want your pup altered. Do this before the pup is born because tail docking is done within a few days of birth.
• Do not buy from breeders who insist that their dogs have cropped ears or docked tails.
• Lobby North American breed clubs to change their standards. Visit the British Kennel Club website at http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk to compare standards.
• Ask your MLA and your MP to push for legislation against unnecessary surgery on dogs.
• Write to your provincial veterinary association and ask them to sign the Convention of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Answer by Smith4Dogs
I think you've got the information you need! I will advise you not to Dock or crop the tail and the ear of Pet! unless its no more your pet, may u want to turn it into a house guard.
The best thing you should do is to allow the dog to grow up with the ear and the tail, it will still look good.
Answer by blueberrygirl
Thank you all for your answers, opinions, and suggestions. I've decided to keep my puppies ears and tail the way nature has meant for them to be.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Michelle G. says
I just adopted an 11 yr old Min pin. No docking was previously done of tail or ears. Although his tail looks a little funny, it’s fat at the base and then skinny and not very long, I would not have it any other way. The docking was done in the days when they were used to hunt rats and to protect the tail and ears from being bitten by the rat. For the person that compared it to “ear piercing” I would suggest you dock your own ears and tell me if there’s a difference between the pain, let alone the actual healing time. If tail docking is done within days of birth, it will still be painful, I am not opposed to it, however, people need to decide how important it is for it to be done and possibly if there is a numbing agent used? The ears however, I don’t feel they need to be done at all.
cindy says
The comment has been moved into the body of the post.
Unstoppable--as alwa says
Yes,but since it's obviously BYBd CRAP-or it would have been done at *3DAYS*-,it's not worth the cost.
Loki my springer! says
Docking gets done at the age of 3-5 days old. This is the breeders choice, unless requested otherwise. It's now too late to do so.
Cropping gets done between the age of 8-12 weeks. This is also a little late to achieve. On the other hand, there is the slightest chance your dogs ears will stand alone.
moondog says
No, tail docking is done within the first 3 days of life. Any time after that the nervous system has fully developed in the tail and it is considered to be an amputation and it's major surgery.
As for cropped ears, they look awful, I would never do it. Does your min pin not have pricked ears? I love the floppy ears on min pins but you rarely see it, most of them have pricked ears.
Why would you even think of putting your dog through such pain?
Love your dog for what he is just the way he is now.