We have just chosen a Cocker Spaniel pup, and we are collecting him on the 3rd Sep.

The thing is he has a tail. Which I have never seen before.

We do like a docked tail, is there any way we could get his tail docked, or can it only be done when they are younger?

If it is possible where can we get it done??

Thank-you in advance/

No you cant get it docked, it's too late. The breeder obviously liked her pups to have docked tails which is why they have been left. If you would prefer a docked one why not search for one, there are plenty around :)

No you definitely shouldn't have it docked.  They have to have this done within the first 3 days of the pups life.  If you had it done now it would entail an operation making it more of a risk to the dogs life and I doubt that any vet would do this.

I also like docked dogs but you should most definitely enjoy this pup with the tail that it was born with.

Good luck with your new baby.

Unless you are going to work your cocker, I can think of no reason for having it docked. Either get a pup from a different breeder or enjoy the full waggle.

When my Hollie had her pups we chose not to dock and made it clear to potential owners that this would be the case.  A lot of people actively seek undocked pups, so if you are not happy with the full tail you should look for another pup that has been docked because the pup you get deserves for you to be fully delighted with him/her.

i think its great this litter havent been docked. I like seeing dogs the way god made them.  If you want a dog with a docked tail then you'll have to find another breeder im afraid

I have an American with a docked tail, but I'm sure you will get used to the full tail quickly. I've seen a few undocked cockers and they look fine. But as has been said already, if you don't think you will like it there are bound to be other puppies with docked tails, you have to be happy with your puppy!

I agree with Jenny. Why does anyone want to dock tails? Are most vets not against this? Is this a show thing?  If so, I think it should be reviewed. (I don't show dogs so please excuse my ignorance!) I've a cocker who's tail is docked tho' if it had been up to me it wouldn't have been.  I got her from a family who couldn't keep her and the breeder that they got her from had already done the deed. To be honest I think she's the most gorgeous dog anyway tail or no tail!!

If you use the search facility you will find many posts on this with the reasons why people prefer to have their working breeds docked.  Non of my cockers have ever done a hands turn in terms of proper work :rolleyes: :) but they have all been enthusiatic amateurs delighting in making full use of the sort of terrain their working brothers would be doing something more usefull in so just as liable to damage.   I would never sell a puppy to a home where that sort of activity was not going to be available to them so that is why I will continue to dock my litters.

"We have just chosen a Cocker Spaniel pup, and we are collecting him on the 3rd Sep. The thing is he has a tail. Which I have never seen before. We do like a docked tail"

The questions must surely be: why did you chose an undocked puppy when you want a docked one? Why has the breeder not picked up on this important fact? If you want a Ferrari you do not buy a Skoda. If you do not want an undocked puppy then DO NOT BUY ONE :-)

I breed cocker spaniels and don't dock and make sure I point out that my pups come with tails and also get new owners to sign of puppy contract stating that they come with  and must NOT be removed unless for medical reasons.

Surely if you are that dead against tails, why choose one with?  But as the others have said, it's too late now to have it docked, but it's not too late to look elsewhere if you're not happy.

Many puppy producers (I won't call them breeders! :( ) wrongly tell potential owners that it is "illegal" to dock.  I used to ask each new Cocker owner why they had chosen a tailed Cocker and every single one gave me the same answer. :(
Every tailed Cocker that I have every trimmed was a poor specimen of the breed and had been bred for the pet market and not by show breeders.

I also wonder how many of them have actually seen a tail being docked?  I do have a docked breed, though I'm not totally for it though neither am I against it, but whilst it's still legal I will have my dogs done the legal way.  I bet that these people are quick at having the dew claws which in my experience is a much more "painful" experience for the pup.

I guess if you want docked stock then surely this must be the first question you ask the breeder? Still, why do people like docked dogs? (except working ofcourse) Dogs look beautiful with their tails, the way they are supposed to be. I am seeing more and more undocked breeds (cockers, weimeraners, vizlas, etc) and they look gorgeous. So, nice to see that lovely tail wagging.

I have a working breed (flat-coat) and thank goodness they never docked their tails off.

Cheers,
Patty

I guess if you want docked stock then surely this must be the first question you ask the breeder?

Hi Patty.  The average pet family buys a puppy once every 15 years or so.  They know little about dogs and the dog world generally.  Someone see a litter in the local paper, shreaks with excitement to the family and Dad or Mum make a call.  They go along to see a litter of sweet puppies - and ALL pups are lovely whatever the breed :) - and they assume that whatever the breeder tells them is true.  It's a story that I've heard over and over again in the grooming parlour. :o

The dog world is my world, but when I go to look at a new car ........  or when I call a tradesman in to talk about a new boiler ........... they could be talking to me in japanese for all I understand

Good point Val. I guess one doesn't realise how much they know about their own world, until you step outside and go into a strange one. My hubby used to own a boat when I first met him and he used to take me to boat jumbles and chandlers and boy was I lost! All the names and little thingys that one just didn't have a clue what to do with! :-)

I do wish you would all get off the "okay to dock if working dogs" bandwagon! This is a smokescreen to ban ALL docking. No-one can prove which puppies will go to working homes, and no-one can prove to a vet that they have a certain BREED of dog when the pups are only 48 hours old!!! Thus - ALL docking will be stopped. Please dont be fooled by this ploy to pretend that certain breeds will be exempt.

We have a gorgeous golden cocker spaniel girl with a tail. The breeder we got her from wouldn't dock the tails as she breeds them as pets not show things and didn't feed us a cock and bull story about docking being illegal. She, and we, wholeheartedly believe that docking is inhumane and, in our opinion can only be acceptable if the dog is to be a WORKING dog.
Our spaniel is the prettiest girl you could ever imagine and certainly lives up to the image of the 'Merry Cocker' as her long lush tail is permanently wagging. She certainly is not a poor example of the breed- she comes with an excellent pedigree.

I am completely bowled over with the cocker spaniel breed and would dearly love another one AND it would definately have to have a tail!   

I've seen many cockers with tails and I agree they look great.