At one time, dogs weren’t pets. Instead, they had jobs and consequently had a docked tail.
Dogs worked on farms and in the military and helped with hunting, fighting, ratting, and baiting. That’s not to say they no longer serve those purposes. But, let’s face it, most are pets.
One of the most ludicrous thoughts on this topic was that you would prevent it from getting rabies by docking the dog’s tail.
Preventing injuries
The practice of tail docking was mainly done to avoid injuries from farm equipment. It would give another fighting dog something less to grip onto in pit fights. And let us not forget that people believed it increased the dog’s speed and strengthened its back.
Also, working and hunting dogs with docked tails weren’t taxed at one time. It never hurt to save a shilling or two.
Safety and cleanliness were the only reasons for tail amputation that made sense.
Working and hunting dogs without tails were less likely to collect debris or amass feces around their rump. They were also less likely to get injured by being caught in farm equipment, wagons, and carts.
Bobbed tail vs. docked tail? Some support the practice but believe tail bobbing is less offensive than docking, even though it is the same thing.
Breeds with docked tails
Fifty to 70 breeds have docked tails. Most are in the Terrier and Spaniel families.
The ones we are most familiar with include Airedale Terrier, American Cocker Spaniel, American Pit Bull Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Australian Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Brittany Spaniel, Cane Corso, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer, Giant Schnauzer, Hungarian Vizsla, Irish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Neapolitan Mastiff, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, Parson Jack Russell Terrier, Rottweiler, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Weimaraner, Wirehaired Fox Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Interestingly, breeds called “designer dogs” that once were called mutts, such as the Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle mix), are making tail docking and ear cropping part of their new standard look.
Breeds with naturally docked tails
In some cases, selective breeding and nature have solved tail docking. Several breeds have puppies born without tails.
The most familiar dog breeds with naturally docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Many of those are due to a gene mutation called C189G, which eliminated the tails.
How is dog tail docking done?
The most common canine tail docking procedure is called Rubber Ring Elastation, which occurs when a rubber ligature restricts blood flow to the tail and falls off, usually within 24 to 96 hours.
Or, puppies’ tails are surgically removed using surgical scissors or a scalpel.
A reputable veterinarian will first give the puppy or dog a complete physical examination and blood clot test.
Next, the dog is tranquilized and placed on its back. General anesthesia is applied. The area is disinfected and shaved. Depending on the American Kennelbreed standard, an incision is made ¼” – 1″ from the dock (where the tail joins the rump), through the skin and the cartilage on puppies, or between two vertebrae on a dog.
The skin is then pulled over the exposed tissue, cartridge, or vertebrae and sutured.
Puppies, only 2-5 days old, get no general anesthesia.
Most veterinarians prefer to wait until the puppy is eight weeks old unless the procedure is done within the first five days.
Docked tail treatment
The non-absorbent sutures are removed within 5-7 days. On adult dogs, the base of the tail is commonly bandaged and removed within 2-3 days.
Usually, the puppy or dog leaves with a satellite dish attached to its neck, known as an E-collar, to prevent it from fixating where it hurts and eventually itches.
They also usually leave with antibiotics to prevent infection, as their immune systems are suppressed by the stress of surgery and the risk of infection from an open wound.
When is it too late to dock a dog’s tail? The longer the tail or the older the dog, the more traumatic this procedure will be, and it usually will take longer to heal.
Dog tail docking problems include excessive bleeding, the reasonable risk of anesthesia, infection, wound dehiscence (splitting open), and rectal prolapse.
Why dock tails?
First and foremost, think about why you want it done. Is your dog, not a working or hunting dog, necessary, or is it your vanity?
Usually, the senseless reasoning is that it’s my dog, my property, and I will do what I want.
I don’t care what others think or do. I would never do anything to hurt, mutilate, or traumatize my pet. They love me unconditionally, and I would never jeopardize their trust and respect.
My dog is perfect, just the way they are.
Many people argue the tail needs to be docked to meet the breed standards set by the national breed club for each breed.
The American Kennel Club is a breed registry that maintains those standards, keeps records of purebred dogs, and encourages responsible dog ownership.
Dogs need their tails
There are legitimate reasons why dogs need their tails.
Tails are a primary form of communication between dogs. They use their tails for social cues.
To other dogs, a dog without a tail looks fearful, as a frightened dog would instinctively tuck their tail between its hind legs as a sign of submission.
Further messages are sent from upright tails, wagging tails, straight-out tails, and droopy tails. Don’t be shocked if your dog’s messages are misread.
Tails, even short tails, are used for balance.
Dog tails are used as a target to prevent more serious bodily injuries in a fight.
Tails are used as rudders when swimming.
Dog tails are used to keep insects off.
Tails are used to waft vital information, such as anal glands scents, to appear larger and more menacing.
Dog tails conserve body heat, such as when a dog curls into a ball and wraps its tail over its face.
Ethical considerations
The practice of dog tail docking raises ethical and moral concerns among many animal welfare advocates and veterinarians.
Tail docking is often considered unnecessary and even cruel, as it involves removing a part of the dog’s body without any medical need. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes tail docking for cosmetic reasons.
Many argue that dogs have a right to keep their natural tails and that altering their appearance for cosmetic purposes is unjustifiable.
Furthermore, the procedure can cause the dog pain and distress, primarily when not performed under proper anesthesia or at a very young age.
Potential risks and complications associated with tail docking include excessive bleeding, infection, and long-term discomfort.
While tail docking has historical roots in the working and hunting dog traditions, many argue that these reasons are no longer valid in modern society, where most dogs are kept as companions rather than working animals.
As such, the ethical implications of tail docking revolve around the necessity and justification for altering a dog’s natural appearance and causing potential harm in the process.
Tail docking regulations
In many countries, tail docking is regulated; in some places, it is banned except for specific medical reasons. These regulations reflect the growing ethical concerns surrounding tail docking and the recognition of animals’ rights to physical integrity and well-being.
Current laws and regulations regarding dog tail docking vary by country.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, tail docking is illegal except for certain working dogs with specific exemptions.
Meanwhile, tail docking regulations are determined at the state level in the United States. Some states ban the practice except for certain circumstances, while others have no specific laws regarding tail docking.
In Australia, tail docking is regulated by state and territory laws, with some allowing the procedure for working dogs under certain conditions.
Dog owners and breeders must comply with specific laws and regulations regarding tail docking in their respective countries.
Bottom line on docked tails
Many veterinarians in the U.S. voluntarily refuse to perform cosmetic surgery on dogs, including docked tails.
They will do it only if there is an injury, health, or medical reason for the procedure.
That progressive change in thinking will make for happier and pain-free puppies and dogs in the USA.
Karen A. Soukiasian owns Good Dog! — Dog Training in St. Augustine, Florida. You can follow Karen on Facebook.