{"id":188,"date":"2020-03-11T23:49:58","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T23:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/?p=188"},"modified":"2023-01-13T20:33:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T20:33:31","slug":"australian-shepherd-tail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/australian-shepherd-tail\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Australian Shepherds Have Tails? The Shocking Truth &#8211; Are They Really Bobbed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Australian Shepherd tail and mini Australian Shepherd tail both often undergo tail docking <\/span><\/strong>for the following reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>It\u2019s considered a standard of the breed<\/li>\n<li>An undocked tail is long, messy, and could get matted<\/li>\n<li>To prevent damage from tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor dangers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What does your Aussie\u2019s tail look like? Depending on where you got your dog from, they may not have their original, lengthy tail. Instead, your Shepherd\u2019s tail could be short (called docking). <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why do this?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While <a href=\"https:\/\/kb.rspca.org.au\/knowledge-base\/what-are-the-animal-welfare-issues-with-docking-dogs-tails\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">docking dogs\u2019 tails<\/a> does it have its avid supporters, there are those that are staunchly against it as well. In this article, we\u2019ll explain more about docking from both sides. By the time you\u2019re done reading, you can decide for yourself whether to get your Australian Shepherd\u2019s tail docked or leave it the way it is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Are you thinking of getting your first Aussie?\u00a0 Hold up for just a bit because there are some very important things to know about this herding dog breed aside from their funny looking tails.\u00a0 I wrote an article <a href=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/facts-about-the-australian-shepherd\/\">all about the uniqueness of these great dogs in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-190\" src=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/F3B578AA-B084-461A-81CD-9EC38F263F39.jpg\" alt=\"This Australian Shepherd has a short tail\" width=\"375\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/F3B578AA-B084-461A-81CD-9EC38F263F39.jpg 675w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/F3B578AA-B084-461A-81CD-9EC38F263F39-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/F3B578AA-B084-461A-81CD-9EC38F263F39-480x640.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Does It Mean to &#8220;Dock&#8221; Aussie\u2019s Tails?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">First, let\u2019s talk about what docking itself is. This isn\u2019t an act exclusive to breeding Australian Shepherds, but rather, any dog or animal with a lengthy tail. When the tail is docked, it\u2019s shortened.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This may occur as part of a surgical procedure where a process using a scalpel or surgical scissors takes place. The tail is cut off at the end so it\u2019s shorter. Alternatively, a ligature made of rubber is wrapped around the dog\u2019s tail. This remains for days, cutting off blood so the tail end comes off on its own, no surgery required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Either of these procedures will occur very young into the puppy\u2019s life\u2013up to five days after birth\u2013 so their tail is at the right length for the rest of their lives. It\u2019s said the dog may be uncomfortable, but not in pain. Also, the puppy is rarely conscious during docking, although they can awaken in the middle of the procedure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Docking a dog\u2019s tail is not the same as a breed with a natural bobtail. These dogs may have very shortened tails if there\u2019s one at all. These tails were not cut or removed, but rather, look that length at birth. Some cats and dogs can have bobtails, including some Australian Shepherds and other herding dog breeds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1191\" src=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/why-wont-my-dog-walk-on-wet-grass-6.jpg\" alt=\"Aussie tail - long and full\" width=\"550\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/why-wont-my-dog-walk-on-wet-grass-6.jpg 639w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/why-wont-my-dog-walk-on-wet-grass-6-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/why-wont-my-dog-walk-on-wet-grass-6-610x436.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Docking Instead of Breeding for Bobtails?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If bobtails exist, then why dock an Australian Shepherd\u2019s tail at all? Animal Genetics has a chart on breeding for tail length. If the dog being bred happens to contain the normal gene and has dual copies of this, then the tail length of the puppies should be normal, not bobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instead, the Australian Shepherd needs only a single normal gene and then one mutant gene, since bobtails aren\u2019t considered the normal tail variant. Even still, there\u2019s only a 50-percent chance of the puppy being born with a bobbed tail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It gets even worse. Should the bred Shepherd have a second mutant gene, then their puppy will not survive. It\u2019s a very dangerous game, so docking has become more common.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-191\" src=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4232-2.jpg\" alt=\"bobbed tail aussie\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4232-2.jpg 900w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4232-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4232-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4232-2-480x640.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Do They Dock the Australian Shepherd Tail?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Plenty of pet owners and breeders with an Australian Shepherd will opt to get the dog\u2019s tail docked very early in its life. Why do this? Let\u2019s talk more about the reasons we outlined in the intro.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It\u2019s a Standard of the Breed<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kennel clubs hold each dog breed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ukcdogs.com\/australian-shepherd#:~:text=The%20Australian%20Shepherd%20is%20a,and%20individuality%20in%20each%20specimen.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">very high standards<\/a>, and these standards put immense pressure on dog owners.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">To excel in contests and dog shows, your canine would have to look a certain way, matching the preferences for that breed. In Australian Shepherds, that\u2019s a docked tail. While normal tails don\u2019t preclude entry into these events, many dog owners and breeders have found they face penalization or don\u2019t win because of their dog\u2019s original tail length.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Undocked Tails Are Hard to Care For<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A long tail in an <a href=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/tackling-the-fur\/\">australian shepherd has fur<\/a> that\u2019s equally as lengthy in that area. As your dog goes about their day-to-day life, they increase their chances of their tail fur getting tangled and even matted. As you may know, if you brush your Shepherd\u2019s fur yourself at home, the matting is incredibly painful for the dog. Most of the time, you wind up having to cut the curly hair out because you can\u2019t detangle the knots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Even if your Shepherd genetics allow it to avoid tail matting, their longer curly tail may cover more of their rear. Now when they poop, the likelihood of the dog having feces in their tail increases. If you don\u2019t notice the feces right away, your Shepherd can easily spread this to other parts of their body by moving or wagging their tail. Then it becomes a headache to clean them up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I wrote an article that has <a href=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/do-australian-shepherds-shed\/\">everything you need to know about Australian Shepherds and their shedding habits<\/a>. It will help both you and your Aussie not be so miserable.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-189\" src=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/D5A44397-0AB9-4BE3-9DAE-1F1F8DAFC464.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"337\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/D5A44397-0AB9-4BE3-9DAE-1F1F8DAFC464.jpg 800w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/D5A44397-0AB9-4BE3-9DAE-1F1F8DAFC464-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/D5A44397-0AB9-4BE3-9DAE-1F1F8DAFC464-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/D5A44397-0AB9-4BE3-9DAE-1F1F8DAFC464-480x640.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Reducing Injury and Damage to the Longer Tail\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/facts-about-the-australian-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Australian Shepherd<\/a> comes from such parts of the world as the western United States, as do their mini counterparts. The tall grasses, weeds, brush, and other outdoor dangers there make it easy for your herding dog&#8217;s long tail to get snagged and injured. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shorter tails are at less risk of this damage and help with the animals agility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What Is the Ideal Length for a Docked Tail of an Australian Shepherd?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Okay, so which tail length should you aspire to if you want to avoid the above for your dog? For full-sized Australian Shepherds, most prefer a tail length of four inches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">That\u2019s per the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/dog-breeds\/australian-shepherd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Kennel Club<\/a>, which does allow for bobbed tails in the breed should they occur naturally. If you check out the link above, you\u2019ll see there are requirements for every last part of an Australian Shepherd. It includes info about their color, curly coat texture, hindquarters and forequarters, body, topline and neck, muzzle, skull, ears, eyes, and head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It shouldn\u2019t be surprising then that in addition to tail docking, some dog owners and breeders opt to crop a dog\u2019s ears as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-192\" src=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4624.jpg\" alt=\"do australian shepherds have tails?\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4624.jpg 675w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4624-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/aussieuniversity.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_4624-480x640.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Downsides of Getting Your Aussie&#8217;s Tail Docked<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now it\u2019s time to talk more about those who are against tail docking for Australian Shepherds or any other breed of animal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In 1996, <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/j.1751-0813.1996.tb13737.x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robert K. Wansbrough<\/a> wrote about docking dogs\u2019 tails for cosmetic purposes. He mentioned that most dogs who had shorter tails than others in their breed were hindered. For example, Wansborough noted how these dogs may not be able to express themselves as well since tails are a primary means of expression in dogs. If a canine couldn\u2019t display playfulness, aggression, caution, or fear, they may accidentally send mixed messages to another dog. This could potentially lead to conflict, fighting, and even injury or death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Others who oppose tail docking state how dogs may lack as much balance when running as they would if their tails were at a more natural length. Since it\u2019s believed that dogs rely on their tails when swimming, using them as a rudder, those breeds with shorter tails may have a harder time in the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Fetch, a pet resource from WebMD, spoke to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/emily-patterson-kane-53766221\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Emily Patterson-Kane, Ph.D.<\/a> for their article. Patterson-Kane is part of the American Veterinary Medical Association or AVMA as its animal welfare scientist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">She says docking \u201c<em>poses unnecessary risks<\/em>,\u201d such as the possibility of the dog growing a nerve tumor or neuroma on the tail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The AVMA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avma.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AVMA<\/a> is one major veterinary organization of many that do not approve of tail docking in dogs. Others include the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Also, many parts of the world have striven to make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avma.org\/resources-tools\/avma-policies\/ear-cropping-and-tail-docking-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tail docking illegal<\/a>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wales \u2013 restricted unless on working dog breeds, and only then can be done by a veterinarian<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The British Virgin Islands<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Turkey<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Switzerland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sweden<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Spain\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">South Africa \u2013 only can be done for medical needs, and once again, a vet needs to do it<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Slovakia<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Serbia \u2013 can be done for medical reasons, such as on working breeds, but not for cosmetics<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Scotland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Russia \u2013 restricted\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Poland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Norway<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Northern Ireland \u2013 restricted except for working dog breeds and must be performed by a veterinarian\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New Zealand<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Netherlands\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Luxembourg<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lithuania\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Latvia<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Italy<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ireland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Iceland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hungary<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Germany \u2013 only working gun dogs can have their tails docked<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Finland<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Estonia\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">England \u2013 restricted except for working dog breeds and must be performed by a veterinarian\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Denmark \u2013 working gun dogs can have their tails docked here, too<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cyprus<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Croatia<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Colombia<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chile\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Canada \u2013 Nova Scotia, Labrador and Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island have made tail docking illegal<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brazil \u2013 can be done for non-cosmetic reasons, but otherwise banned<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Belgium<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Austria\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Australia\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Surprisingly, the US does not ban or restrict tail docking at all in dogs. That said, Vermont and New York are trying to create a bill that could change that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Conclusion\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Australian Shepherd is one dog breed of many that gets its tail docked. This involves using surgery or tightly constricting the tail to get it to about four inches total. In doing so, your animal could compete in dog shows, as it meets breed standards. Their shorter the animal tail may also be more hygienic. An Australian Shepherd tail that is short may also find agility training to be easier due to the maneuverability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tail docking is not all good; far from it. This practice could cause cancer, prevent swimming and running dexterity, and limit a dog\u2019s ability to express themselves fully via their tail. In the US, tail docking is legal, so it\u2019s up to you if you want a shorter tail for your Australian Shepherd.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Australian Shepherd tail and mini Australian Shepherd tail both often undergo tail docking for the following reasons: It\u2019s considered a standard of the breed An undocked tail is long,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,3,18],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Do Australian Shepherds Have Tails? The Shocking Truth - Are They Really Bobbed?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Some Aussies will have tails, others might not. 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