tail docking

[rabbit slayer 22]

Just wondered how long the tail on a terrier most people prefered and why? Ive heard that the tail must be as long as the pam of your hand in order to grip the terrier by the tail. IS this true?

[spoof 11]

i thunk a terriers tail length should look balanced with its body. a stump looks daft and thers nothing to grab when the action starts. just under two thirds left on when docked i reckon.

[Guest Eamon.Mc]

Comes down to personal preference, some like just a handfull, others like a bit more, an old terrierman told me roughly a third the length of the dogs back.

[bigadg 5]

Comes down to personal preference, some like just a handfull, others like a bit more

 

are we talking tails or tits here

 

 

stu

[skycat 6,174]

I'd never try and pull my dog out by its tail: by both hind legs is safer. Take about a third off IMO. Better too long than too short though.

[Guest Eamon.Mc]

I think the showmen use a measuring tape. Not sure about the the exact lenght though!!

[Simoman 110]

The breeder I got mine off left two thirds........

[jpnixon 7]

if ye can get an old 50p coin when they are pups cut at that length this is usally spot on, not too short and not too long

[martin 332]

If you cut them at the length of the tip of your thumb to the first knuckle that is just right! I t might be where the saying 'Rule of thumb' came from.??

[Great White Hunter 78]

Yep nip of a third leaves a nice size tail nothing worse that a undocked tail or a stump .Leave two thirds

[thurso jack 3]

whereas from april in scotland you wont be allowed to dock at all.

[adam 0]

I hav e always used an old 5p piece (shilling) this normally give a good size tail done at 1-2 days old. I think the saying rule of thumb goes back to when you were allowed to beat your mrs with a stick as long as it was no thicker than your thumb. Could be wrong i was once before back in 1980

[rabbit slayer 22]

Thanks for the help guys, I was only asking because i was looking for a terrier pup last week and a couple i went to see had really short stumpy tails, and others litters was longer tails. Ive now bought a fell terrier pup from gould and middleton lines with a tail that gives a good handful and looks in proportion to her body.

 

Ill get some pics up soon when i can get her to keep still..