06
Oct
The longer tails of herding dogs could also be caught in gates behind livestock. Roman shepherds believed that removing the top of a dogs tail on the puppys fortieth day prevented rabies.
Docked tails can also develop a neuroma or nerve.
Why are herding dogs tails docked. The ancient Romans docked dogs due to a belief that removing part of their tails would prevent them from contracting rabies a deadly disease that can pass to humans via zoonotic transmission. At other times tails were docked because they were viewed as being too long and susceptible to injury. The most common reason for cropping and docking is to give a dog a certain look.
That means it poses unnecessary risks Patterson-Kane says. Docked tails can also develop a neuroma or nerve. Herding dogs would have their tails docked so that livestock would not trample it or so it would not get caught in a gate or fencing for containing the animals.
Others docked the tails for dog fighting purposes. If a dog didnt have a tail an opponent couldnt bite it. Another reason for tail docking comes down to appearances.
About 13 of dog breeds had docked tails due to the tradition of it and there are various pro-dog tail docking groups that exist 4. But nowadays this tradition is. Breed proponents often talk about how tail docking once served this or that purpose but with the vast majority of dogs produced by breeders these days destined to become pets I think docking is truly just a cosmetic procedure.
Add this to the fact that the surgery is generally done without the benefit of anesthesia and the downsides of the procedure outweigh any perceived benefit. CKC has amended its standards to include guidelines for docked or undocked tails but still has docked tails listed as a recommended option for several breeds. Its a procedure that is less.
The AKC makes the point that a docked tail on a terrier is stronger which could help owners easily pull burrowing dogs out of holes. Tail docking according to. The practice of tail docking amputating most of the tail goes all the way back to the ancient Romans who believed cutting a dogs tail and tongue prevented rabies.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the Puritans of early America would cut off dogs tails because they. While this practice was traditionally justified for the health and safety of some kinds of working dogs for example a cattle or herding dog may be docked to avoid getting their tail stepped on its largely become a cosmetic procedure and one that the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA opposes. To meet Canadian Kennel Club breed standards dogs like Doberman Pinschers which Allard breeds must have their tails docked and ears cropped.
Heres the long and short of it. Historically tail docking was thought to prevent rabies increase a dogs speed and prevent injuries. For hunting and herding breeds tails could collect burrs and foxtails causing pain and infection.
The longer tails of herding dogs could also be caught in gates behind livestock. Landsburg said its time to change the Animal Protection Act to make tail docking and ear cropping in dogs and cats illegal. Rottweilers are one of just many breeds who often have their tails docked.
The first recorded incidence of tail docking took place in Ancient Rome. Roman shepherds believed that removing the top of a dogs tail on the puppys fortieth day prevented rabies. Later hunting dogs tails were docked to prevent injury a theory still common today.
Today tail docking is more cosmetic than anything. Breeds like dobermans German shorthairs and other dogs where the breed standard has docked tails its just to get the classic look. It can be used for practical use still like hunting and herding but thats not very common.
The docking of dogs tails is a practice which has been carried out for centuries in order to avoid tail damage for hygiene and other reasons.