Tail or No Tail?
The breed standard as written has been docked tail. I have thought a lot about this and feel we are going to see some major changes in the next few years. Proposed to become effective August 1, 2013 the State of New York prohibits the docking of dogs tails. European countries outlawed tail docking and some have gone so far as to prohibit dogs with docked tails from being imported into their country.
Some breed standards are changing to allow for undocked tails.
In ancient times, dogs tails were docked (cut off) because they thought it prevented rabies. Later, they were docked to identify the dog as a "working" dog to avoid paying a tax.
Australian Shepherds were originally raised in the rough Western areas of the United States, which, if you have never visited, have tough weeds, tall grasses, and plenty of other hazards. Working stock is dangerous, and tails can get stepped on or slammed in gates. Working in these conditions will easily lead to torn, bleeding and broken tails, which, of course are very painful and hard to treat. If the tail is docked, it eliminates these types of injury.
But what of our Aussie's today? Some are still working dogs. Breed standards are starting to change and allow the tail. AKC Breed Standard for the Miniature American Shepherd "A docked or natural bobtail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated." ASDR Breed Standard "Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobbed or docked. We do allow non docked dogs to accomodate our foreign breeders, as some countries do not allow docking of tails. We also recognize that some people choose not to dock for personal reasons."
Right now it is a personal choice. There are many pros and cons for docking or not docking.
Some breed standards are changing to allow for undocked tails.
In ancient times, dogs tails were docked (cut off) because they thought it prevented rabies. Later, they were docked to identify the dog as a "working" dog to avoid paying a tax.
Australian Shepherds were originally raised in the rough Western areas of the United States, which, if you have never visited, have tough weeds, tall grasses, and plenty of other hazards. Working stock is dangerous, and tails can get stepped on or slammed in gates. Working in these conditions will easily lead to torn, bleeding and broken tails, which, of course are very painful and hard to treat. If the tail is docked, it eliminates these types of injury.
But what of our Aussie's today? Some are still working dogs. Breed standards are starting to change and allow the tail. AKC Breed Standard for the Miniature American Shepherd "A docked or natural bobtail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated." ASDR Breed Standard "Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobbed or docked. We do allow non docked dogs to accomodate our foreign breeders, as some countries do not allow docking of tails. We also recognize that some people choose not to dock for personal reasons."
Right now it is a personal choice. There are many pros and cons for docking or not docking.