08/29/2024
Why Do Our Dogs Have Their Tails? ✨🐾
You may have noticed that our dogs have their tails—and that’s intentional! At Aussie Edge, we’re committed to preserving the classic Twin Oak Standard Australian Shepherd breed.
Throughout my career with Aussies, I’ve worked and seen both docked and full-tailed dogs in the working line. Yes, all of these dogs are registered with ASCA, AKC, the Canadian Kennel Club, and UKC. Many people who dock tails claim it makes it easier for the dog to work, but there are plenty of working lines that do even more intense work while keeping their tails. The Australian Cattle Dog is one example. It’s been proven that a full tail acts like a boat propeller and helps with quick turns, jumping obstacles and for balance. So, let’s return to the question: if docking doesn’t help the animal perform better, why are we still doing it?
Historically, docking was tied to tax exemptions and breed standards, but cutting off a tail isn’t improving the breed’s genetics—it’s removing something natural. In fact, docking, often justified by breed standards, has complex roots, from Roman times to tax laws in the UK. Today, the reasons given are hygiene, safety, and adherence to breed standards.
Despite the norms, breed standards have evolved: ASCA and AKC still allow docking but have faced pushback and revisions, while Canada and many European countries have banned the practice of docking and ear cropping. Studies also show that docking is not as harmless as some believe. Newborn puppies have more neurological transmitters than adults, potentially feeling more pain, and docking has been linked to weight loss, infection, and other risks.
⭐️For us, the choice is clear—our Aussies keep their tails, just as nature intended.
