docked tails

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feasantfever

New member
I recently purchased a gsp pup sight unseen, when he arrived at my place I couldn't believe how long his tail was. I know this is in style right now, but how long is to long? the pup is 8wks old, is it too late to take alittle more off? I know it's stupid, but I was hoping for a more traditional look.
 
AKC Standards:
The tail is set high and firm, and must be docked, leaving approximately 40% of its length. However, Most american breeders seem to dock tail alittle shorter these days.

Normally Tails should be docked before pup reaches 5 days old when the nervous system has not fully kicked in, the sooner the better so the pup feels a minimum of pain.
 
at 8 weeks, do you know how long the tail would be in inches? my brother thought that they had just left the tail undocked. thanks for the info okie, I was thinking that it was too late to do any further docking but thought I would ask. it is nice and straight when he points, but I am sure that I will be hearing alot of "nice english pointer" comments from the peanut section.:D
 
a good rule of thumb is for a gsp put your finger downd flat on the table then move a 16 of an inch past and thats where you come up with the perfect tail dock for britts it is a finger width or less visla and weims are a little longer but not much than the gsp
 
hope the picture works. tail is little over 7 in. we started to wonder if he will grow into his tail, the only other docked tail dogs I've had were bulldogs and thier tails were always pretty short.
 
The Pudelpointer breeders are having an ongoing discussion re length. I tend to the longer length, docking my pups 25 to 30%. Everytime I buy a pup, I get the short tail. Go figure. Yors looks like a "tweener" but they do tend to grow into them.
 
feasantfever said:
hope the picture works. tail is little over 7 in. we started to wonder if he will grow into his tail, the only other docked tail dogs I've had were bulldogs and thier tails were always pretty short.
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I wonder if any tail was docked. Looks full length.
 
GSP tails should be docked 2/5 or 40% as Okie stated

I am a fan of the longer tails but I am adamant that breeders follow that standard whether it suits my fancy or not.

that is a nice looking pup that will have a "long" tail the rest of its life; I'd definitely call the breeder and ask what heck?

DO NOT re-dock the tail!

@ 7", that should be a un-docked length of 17.5", now you're talking EP length

screw the peanut gallery, it is your pup; develop it into the best bird dog you can and enjoy the memories
 
I guess unless your hunting wild boar I do not understand what the problem would be.
 
Jakeismydog2 said:
to me it looks like the breeder wanted to give you the white "flag tip" and left it a little extra long to get the color change.
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I thought that the color change was a nice touch. the length isn't an issue as this will be a hunting dog not a show or ft dog. this is my first gsp even though i've been around a few. I was shocked to see the tail at that length and just wanted the opinions of more experienced minds. i think the long tail will be stylish on point, but I get hung up on tradition. thats why the gun cabinet has O/U and SxS's, although I don't forsake the auto's or pumps.:D:cheers:
 
My springer's tail isn't docked and he definitely looks different than most. However, the breeder is located in NY, which apparently made tail docking illegal a couple years ago.
 
You're going to love that tail when he gets into some deeper grass. That little white spot on the end is going to look like gold to you in a few years!
 
Uncle Buck said:
The Pudelpointer breeders are having an ongoing discussion re length. I tend to the longer length, docking my pups 25 to 30%. Everytime I buy a pup, I get the short tail. Go figure. Yors looks like a "tweener" but they do tend to grow into them.
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my pudelpointer has a pretty long tail for the standard dock.....i prefer it and like the advantage for location and verifying a solid point at a longer distance.
 
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Jakeismydog2 said:
to me it looks like the breeder wanted to give you the white "flag tip" and left it a little extra long to get the color change.
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That's a very good guess.
 
just make the pup a hunting machine, hell he doesn't know it is suppose to be short and he will hunt just as good and if anyone teases you about him find some new hunting friends. :):):):cheers:
 
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