The tail is the best window into a dog’s soul. Each manifestation of this expressive appendage—whether it’s rigid, quivering, tucked, or wagging—conveys the vast vocabulary of canine nonverbal communication. When a dog’s intent is clearly expressed in the position or cadence of its tail, it can be compared to a hand of cards tipped in the direction of the poker table.
As long as we have been selectively breeding dogs in our own species, we have also been experimenting with aesthetics outside of the genetic code’s obvious low-hanging fruit. Tail length is no exception. While not new, the disagreement between and within breed enthusiast groups over our attempts to “dock” or shorten tails for aesthetic or practical reasons has become more disruptive. I’ll give you a crash course in the drama’s history before we get started.
With a few notable exceptions, almost all dogs are born with long tails, so why do we dock them? In canines, naturally bobbed tails are quite uncommon, and in sporting breeds they are practically nonexistent. Instead of relying on Mother Nature or selective breeding, the classic silhouettes of the Brittany, Vizsla, or Deutsch Drahthaar are created by the deliberate removal of a tail segment at a young age.
I’ve encountered a surprising number of clients who believe their new hunting dog pup was born with a naturally bobbed tail. Excuse me if this fact is obvious to you. When I politely correct their incorrect assumptions, some of them react with genuine surprise, while others display disgust. I explain to them that someone not only trimmed that tail to its current size, but they probably agonized over the precise location to chop.
An extensive chapter on tail docking is included in the book on human-canine relationships. Due to the dog’s use as a working animal and the inherent risks to life and limb involved in that work, the first justifications for this practice probably stemmed from those factors. A docked tail was thought to have a lower risk of suffering traumatic injury from machinery or animals. A short tail may have facilitated better hygiene in long-haired breeds by minimizing soiling and mats that draw debris and parasites.
Because tail injuries in dense cover are better avoided than treated, tail docking in hunting breeds likely began as a method to reduce tail injuries. I’ve witnessed my fair share of persistent, slow-healing tail wounds, some of which required a partial surgical amputation to treat. Interestingly, none of those were sporting dogs. Additionally, docking probably gave early breeders a way to change the proportions of tail length while they were selecting for other traits. For instance, a German shorthaired pointer’s undocked tail is noticeably longer in proportion to its frame than an English pointer’s tail.
How Tails are Docked There are various methods to complete the task Depending on the biases you brought to this article, the most common methods are as simple and straightforward or as brutal as you’re inclined to think. A suture (or two) is typically used by veterinarians to close the incision after cutting the tail to the desired length using sterile tools and local nerve blocks.
Some breeders use a kitchen table instead of a sterile bench to perform this same procedure, and I’ve also seen a sharpened Old Timer multitool used in place of a scalpel. Other breeders apply a constricting rubber band or use a thick string to squeeze the tail’s nerves and blood vessels, causing the tissue to eventually die and fall off. All of these methods appear to function effectively and with few problems, though I’ll admit that the few complications I’ve dealt with were infections brought on by breeders who used the string or banding method.
Regardless of the approach used, the timing remains the same. Newborn puppies should have their tails docked between two and five days old. This window is not arbitrary; rather, it gives the pups a chance to make some headway in life while taking advantage of a nervous system that is still developing and can easily cope with such a invasive procedure. The same procedure would unquestionably be cruel (and probably fatal) on a 5-month-old dog.
Tradeoffs of Docking So, is the pain worth the gain? It’s challenging to come to a firm conclusion because we haven’t quantified the pain or shown how much the gain is worth.
Let’s be clear: Even in newborn pups, tail docking hurts. The vocal few who raise this issue unintentionally contest the sentience of these puppies. We just don’t know how badly it hurts. The puppies wriggle and squeal, but these actions and noises, which stop once they’re back cuddling with their littermates, are similar to those that newborn puppies freely make when things aren’t exactly how they’d like them to be. Although I don’t necessarily offer this observation as proof that the pup’s experience of having its tail docked is of no consequence, it is admittedly a weak barometer for measuring pain.
Two opposing factions are engaged in a contentious debate over the severity of the discomfort and any potential long-term health or social effects, but, in my opinion, they are unable to support their positions with the most recent data available. We lack a trustworthy way to measure discomfort in a growing puppy as a profession. It would be unfair to compare the procedure to what an older puppy would go through with a tail amputation or to view it through an anthropomorphic lens.
Equally unfair is to claim that tail docking is justified in order to prevent a clearly uncommon injury. The peer-reviewed evidence indicates a low risk, which is consistent with my clinic experience. Numerous of my colleagues from Canada, Australia, and Europe concur, and some of their governments have banned the practice. It’s interesting to note that this ban has been linked to a significant increase in tail-related injuries in sporting breeds that were previously docked.
Despite a concerted effort to paint tail docking in black or white, the issue is still complicated. Most studies don’t take into account the significant differences in temperament, amount of time spent in the field, and type of cover.
Final Thoughts I spend a lot of time observing docked tails and offering my own (often silent) critique of the work of the vet or breeder who performed the procedure as a German shorthaired pointer owner and veterinarian resource for hunting dog enthusiasts. I admit that I favor the way a docked tail looks in breeds that have traditionally sported them. I find an undeniable personal satisfaction in seeing done correctly.
I’ll continue to voluntarily participate in the act as long as it’s legal so that breeders have a secure and appealing choice. I also won’t downplay the procedure’s flaws and am willing to engage in a spirited discussion about the advantages of temporary discomfort for cosmetic or functional changes. Just know that if you’re quick to judge but have pierced ears or a tattoo, I’ll give you a confused look.
What Are Docked Tails?
Tail docking is frequently done for cosmetic reasons and can cause disagreement among dog owners.
Historically, tails were docked (or “curtailed”) to prevent injury to them during work. Centuries ago when only nobility was allowed to own certain kinds of dogs, a commoners “cur” dog had his tail docked to easily tell him apart from purebred dogs owned by the aristocracy. Today the American Kennel Club member dog breed clubs include docked tails in more than 40 breed standards.
A: Tailing docking is painful. It is challenging to quantify the degree or length of the pain under ideal or typical conditions. Negative long-term changes that affect how pain is processed and perceived later in life can result from painful procedures performed during the neonatal period when the nervous system is vulnerable. 26,27.
A young puppy’s tail should only be removed as a precaution if there is solid proof that the animal is highly susceptible to tail trauma due to a congenital defect, breed, or intended working activity. However, such a justification must be backed up by data, such as empirical findings or unbiased professional judgment based on in-depth, directly pertinent experience.
Due to their ancestry from a species with tails, most dogs have tails by nature. However, there is little proof that dogs with naturally bobbed or surgically docked hair are negatively affected in terms of their physical or mental health. Docking may affect a dog’s ability to communicate with other dogs23 and may also increase their risk of developing incontinence, according to some preliminary but inconclusive data. 24.
A: Some breeds may have their tails docked because their non-working members are thought to face risks similar to those of working dogs, but more often than not, it’s done to adhere to a particular breed standard or appearance. According to survey results, it is unnecessary to preventatively dock the tails of pet dogs. Therefore, unless there is proof to the contrary, tail docking of non-working dogs is regarded as a cosmetic procedure, even if their breed was originally developed for working purposes. The breed standards of traditionally docked breeds have been modified in nations like the United Kingdom where tail docking is illegal (with a few exceptions). 22.
1. Podberscek AL, Paul AS, Serpell J. Companion Animals and Us: Exploring the Relationships Between People and Pets. Cambridge University Press, 2000; 307. 2. Fleming. The wanton mutilation of animals. The Nineteenth Century, a Monthly Report, 1895;37:440. 3. Drury WD. British Dogs, Their Points, Selection, and Show Preparation. L.U. Gill: London. 1903. p. 165 4. Hallock C. The Sportsmans Gazetteer and General Guide. Forest and Stream: New York. 1877. p. 456. 5. Shields G. The American Book of the Dog. Rand, McNally: Chicago. 1891 6. almer, RM. All about Airedales: A Book of General Information Valuable to Dog Lovers and Owners, Breeders and Fanciers, Illustrated from Selected Photographs of Noted Dogs and Rare Scenes. The Airedale Terrier Reviewed. 3-A Publishing Co.: Seattle. 1916; 53. 7. Coren, S. How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind. Simon and Schuster, 2004; 106 8. Youatt W, Lewis EJ. The Dog. Leavitt and Allen, 1857 Available at: http://books.google.com/books?id=wxkPAAAAYAAJ Accessed December 15, 2008. 9. Bennett PC, Perini E. Tail docking in dogs: can attitude change be achieved? Aust Vet J 2003;81:277-82. 10. Sonntag, Q. Cosmetic tail docking. Vet News 2004;Feb:4-5. 11. Noonan GJ, Rand JS, Blackshaw JK, et al. Tail docking in dogs: a sample of attitudes of veterinarians and dog breeders in Queensland. Aust Vet J 1996;73:86-88. 12. Lytton, N. Toy Dogs and Their Ancestors: Including the History and Management of Toy Spaniels, Pekingese, Japanese and Pomeranians. Duckworth & Co: London. 1911; 91. 13. Moissac, JE. The fight against cosmetic surgery. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2009;50:11231124. 14. Australian Veterinary Association: Surgical alteration to the natural state of animals: http://www.ava.com.au/node/1085 accessed January 31, 2013 14. RCVS Guide to professional Conduct: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/guide-to-professional-conduc… accessed January 31 2013. 16. Lee RB. A History and Description of the Modern Dogs of Great Britain and Ireland. H. Cox: London. 1897. p. 220-221. 17. Sasson-Brickson G. The bobtail trait in Australian shepherds – part I: a historical perspective and docking Regulations in various countries. Aussie Times 2005;March-April 18. Diesel G, Pfeiffer D, Crispin S, et al. Risk factors for tail injuries in dogs in Great Britain. Vet Rec 2010;166:812-817. 19. Strejffert G. Tail injuries of shorthaired German point dogs born in Sweden 1989, 1992 http://www.cdb.org/countries/sweden.htm Accessed June 28, 2010 20. Milne, E. The Truth about Cats and Dogs. Book Guild Publishing, 2007; 118. 21. Darke PG, Thrusfield MV, Aitken CG. Association between tail injuries and docking in dogs. Vet Rec 1985;116:409 22. Kennel Club: Breed Standard tail clauses – traditionally docked breeds: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=1359 Accessed January 31st 2013 23. Leaver, SDA, Reimchen TE. Behavioural responses of Canis Familiaris to different tail lengths of a remotely-controlled life-size dog replica. Behaviour 2008;145:377-390. 24. Thrusfield P, Holt M. Association in bitches between breed, size, neutering and docking, and acquired urinary incontinence due to incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism. Vet Rec 1993;133:177-180. 25. Noonan G, Rand J, Blackshaw J, et al. Behavioural observations of puppies undergoing tail docking. Appl Anim Behav Sci 1996;4: 335-342. 26. LaPrarie JL, Murphy AZ. Long Term Impact of Neonatal Injury in Male and Female Rats: Sex Differences, Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology 2010;31:193-202. 27. Vega-Avelaira D, McKelvy R, Hathway G et al. The emergence of adolescent onset pain hypersensitivity following neonatal nerve injury. Molecular Pain 2012;8:30. Accessible online at: http://www.molecularpain.com/content/8/1/30 28. Haworth K, Putt W, Cattanach B et al. Canine homolog of the T-box transcription factor T; failure of the protein to bind to its DNA target leads to a short-tail phenotype. Mammalian Genome 2001;12:212-218.
Does It Hurt Puppy
Docking is carried out when puppies are tiny. Since they haven’t opened their eyes yet, the procedure should be performed correctly with little pain or discomfort. There is no evidence that the docking procedure in any way delays development or weight gain, and puppies will return to their dam to eat right away.
Additionally, a dog that had its tail docked as a puppy has no issues with balance or verbalization.
However, if tail damage develops in adulthood and docking is required for therapeutic reasons, typically under anesthesia, a dog may become extremely distressed, and the recovery process may be difficult and lengthy.
FAQ
Can you dock a puppy’s tail at home?
In the U. S. anyone may legally remove a puppy’s tail at home without using sterile instruments or anesthetic. In the second technique, the puppy’s tail is wrapped in a ligature or tight band to stop the blood from flowing to the tip of it.
Is it painful to dock a puppy’s tail?
A: Tailing docking is painful. It is challenging to gauge the degree or length of the pain under ideal or typical conditions.
How soon do you dock a puppy’s tail?
Most often, tail docking is done on puppies between the ages of three and five days. Prior to surgery, the area can be numbed with local anesthesia (with or without sedation), but the procedure is occasionally carried out without it.
Is docking a tail cruel?
“Is it cruel to dock a dog’s tail?” “Yes,” you answered. Dogs “talk” with their tails. They use them for balance. When puppies are just a few days old, their tails are typically docked without the use of anesthetics to dull the pain.