Can You Cut a 6 Week Old Miniature Pinscher's Tail?

The miniature pinscher is a German breed with a history of being a barnyard ratter. The word ''pinscher'' is German for terrier, a category of dog bred to hunt and kill vermin. Despite this, the American Kennel Club categorizes miniature pinschers under the toy group. If your miniature pinscher puppy is 6 weeks old and its tail has not yet been docked, you will have to keep in mind several considerations to ensure your puppy's well being and health.

  1. Breed Considerations

    • According to the American Kennel Club, the standard for the miniature pinscher breed calls for a tail set high and docked in proportion to the dog's size. Most miniature pinsher breeders will sell their puppies with tails already docked. If you are planning on showing your miniature pinscher, you may consider getting your puppy's tail docked at the right age. However, many owners looking for just a pet may elect to keep their miniature pinscher's tail natural.

    Age Considerations

    • Most miniature pinscher puppies are docked when they are two to three days of age. Responsible breeders have the procedure done by a veterinarian under a sterile environment and with the right tools. At six weeks, a miniature pinscher puppy is well over the appropriate age for docking tails. While technically the procedure can still be done, there are several considerations and health implications to keep in mind.

    Health Considerations

    • If the miniature pinscher puppy was not docked at two to three days old, then the procedure is more complicated. Generally, if the puppy is over eight days of age, the veterinarian may delay the procedure until the pup is at least eight weeks old. At this age, the puppy will require anesthesia to induce unconsciousness, and even though the risks of surgery are low, there are always risks associated with the use of general anesthesia along with complications such as bleeding and postoperative infection.

    Recovery Considerations

    • Because docking an older puppy involves severing thicker skin, cartilage and vertebrae, recovery times may be longer and more difficult. A temporary bandage may be placed on the incision site which will need to be removed two to three days later. Also, sutures may need to be removed five to seven days later, if they were the non-absorbable type.

    Ethical Considerations

    • Tail docking remains a subject of controversy. There are those who want the procedure banned and there are those who want to preserve the breed's character and standards. When considering docking your six-week-old miniature pinscher, your top consideration should be keeping the dog safe and healthy at all times. Discuss the pros and cons with your veterinarian and don't be bashful to ask a second opinion.