Lets take a look at the 3 reasons why Australian Shepherds have, more often than not, had their tails docked: When looking at the Australian Shepherd Standard, youll see that a docked tail is actually preferred. Australian Shepherd Appearance. For us, tradition and custom do not justify this barbaric and painful procedure. We have 3 kids and 5 grand kids. Two surgical procedures -- ear cropping and tail docking-- have long been routine in certain breeds like Dobermans, German shorthaired pointers, and schnauzers. You can expect them to provide health certifications and answer all your questions about their breeding program. Show and breeding stock are also sometimes available but pricing and contracts will be by private agreement. PawShore.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All rights reserved. As we just looked at, if both parents carry the TT gene, their pup will be born with fatal birth defects. Hold up for just a bit because there are some very important things to know about this herding dog breed aside from their funny looking tails. It is a genetic trait that's passed down from parents to puppies, and Australian Shepherds happen to be one of the breeds that are affected by it. Are Australian Shepherds supposed to have tails? The breeder Jessica Smalley traces their beginnings to her mom who bred Aussies back in the 1980s. The "Aussie grin," as it's known, is a sign of appeasement. Written by chris in Australian Shepherd Cutting off a dog's tail is known as "docking," while some dogs naturally have a bobbed tail. And if its not going to negatively affect their life (or has a small chance to), then theres no need for them to go through the pain of docking. They only occasionally breed their dogs after they have achieved championships or performance titles. ), Australian Shepherds Good With Kids? Standard Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized, solidly built breed, with adults weighing between 40-65 pounds. The Australian Shepherd is one dog breed of many that gets its tail docked. You can expect the price can go higher for show prospects. 10 Best Pomeranian Breeders (2023): Our Top 10 Picks! Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time. Heterochromia is a condition where a dog's eyes are different colors; usually, one is brown, and the other looks blue. Fiddlers Green Breeder Information and Details: RECOMMENDED:16 Things You Need to Know About the Toy Australian Shepherd. This nifty little e-book contains a simple game you and your Aussie can play right away, as well as a special smacking sound that you can use to get your dogs attention! These puppies start at $2,500. We have lots more on the site to show you. Have you ever seen an Australian Shepherd without a tail? The Australian Shepherd comes from such parts of the world as the western United States, as do their mini counterparts. The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog that, despite its name, has a very American origin story. How Long Does a Dogs Docked Tail Take To Heal? A: I am not sure what you mean by dock. In an effort to support responsible breeding practices, purchased designer mixes (eg. Tail injuries are painful for Australian Shepherds and challenging to treat and heal. If the dog being bred happens to contain the normal gene and has dual copies of this, then the tail length of the puppies should be normal, not bobbed. An Australian Shepherd tail that is short may also find agility training to be easier due to the maneuverability. Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), Do Australian Shepherds Have Tails? In the 1800s, it was bred to compete with other herding breeds . But why are some born with a bobbed tail? They're built rather low to the ground-remember, they were bred to run around herds of sheep!-and have high-set, forward-flopping ears. Now its time to talk more about those who are against tail docking for Australian Shepherds or any other breed of animal. This will be the main basis for matching puppies with new owners, although color and gender preferences will still be considered. 6. I purchased my first Aussie from petfinder. Australian Shepherds naturally have long tails. Alternatively, a ligature made of rubber is wrapped around the dogs tail. If an Aussie isnt being used for work purposes, they have no functional or medical need to have their tail docked. If the tail is present, it should arc slightly upwards when the dog is holding it upright. Bobbed Tail vs Docked Tail. Why Do Dogs Howl? Some things youll want to consider before making your decision are: In general, an increasing number of people are choosing not to dock their Aussies tail because its notneeded. That cute, stubby tail is a trait that was reinforced in the Australian Shepherd through selective breeding. Thank God I have not had any problems with my beautiful girl. Are Australian Shepherds born with long tails? Puppies also recover faster than adult dogs because the tissues havent fully calcified. This involves using surgery or tightly constricting the tail to get it to about four inches total. Hogwash!!! New comments cannot be posted. First venturing into the freelance space in 2016, Saleema has since had case reports and peer-reviewed articles published in distinguished journals like The NAVTA Journal and Todays Veterinary Nurse, as well as several articles published at various digital publications. Australian shepherds utilize their body,'and get under the livestock so a tail has a potential to be broken. Aside from the expenses listed above, you also have to consider the costs of vet checks, training/obedience classes, and pet insurance. These dogs are large and in charge, but they also make wonderful, loyal pets. The legalization of tail docking varies by state and country. You should submit an application even when no puppies are available because breeding only occurs when at least six people are approved to be on the waitlist. In this case, the amputation isnt too short to avoid other problems like pulling injuries or nerve damage. Okay, so which tail length should you aspire to if you want to avoid the above for your dog? It is normally about level to the head when the dog holds both upwards. And yes, we herd you; there are tons of cute Aussie pictures too. Another reason people claim docking an Australian Shepherds tail is a good idea is for hygiene purposes. The price of their Australian Shepherd puppies includes AKC/ASCA puppy registration, microchipping, first set of shots, deworming, tail docking, removal of dewclaws, CERF eye checks, vet check, a bag of food, and a puppy bag with goodies for the puppy. by Robyn (Toronto, ON Canada) I am looking to purchase a blue merle Aussie Shepherd in the spring of 2011 and have a question about docking. All Aussies are welcome. Learn more about just how fast, smart, and adorable Aussies are through these 11 Australian Shepherd facts. Answers for 45+ Types of Crackers, 20+ Sugar Glider Colors and Patterns Explained (With Pictures), 30 Different Types of Huskies (With Pictures), Pitbull With Blue Eyes: Facts, Health, Genetics & Pictures. To know for sure, youd have to have the Aussie take a DNA test to see if they have the bobtail gene or not. Please don't scroll past these ADORABLE puppies! Docking is when part or all of the tail is removed from the dog. Keep reading while we discuss what happens to them and why to help you be better informed. Why Do Australian Shepherds Have No Tail Aussies get docked (getting their tails cut off by breeders) or are born with a bobtail. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. some have them them but the breed was bred not to have a tail they are not cut off like some breeds they are born that way. Kennel clubs hold each dog breed to very high standards, and these standards put immense pressure on dog owners. An Australian's tail is a glorious thing and those that are docked can't even wag their happiness! The Australian Shepherd is one dog breed of many that gets its tail docked. So while many are born with a tail, many breeders dock their tail because its seen as more desirable for owners. With the number of breeders and kennel clubs dedicated to Australian Shepherds, you do not need to go far to find a puppy. Theres also a 50% chance theyll transmit the gene to their offspring. P. S. I really don't want this to turn into a discussion of docking vs not docking. Thegene breakdownof tail length looks like this: TT = Dog likely to be born withspine deformities(typically causing their life to be cut short). But one thing separates the Aussie from other breeds its tail. The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog. Below is a picture of an Australian Shepherd with a bobbed tail: Again, some bobtails are barely visible, whereas others are a few inches in length, as shown below: The bobtail gene is recessive, which means that for an Aussie to have a high chance of being born with a bobtail, both parents must carry the gene. They don't usually grow any longer than 6 inches, and some may even be 5 inches . They were rugged work animals, mainly used for the job their breed name suggests: they were excellent shepherds, rounding up and protecting sheep and other livestock. Apparently, an Aussie Tail is a rare feature. Sharp Illustrations by Marja Tegelbeckers First published in Double Helix Network News, Winter 2014 Many countries around the world have instituted bans on tail docking and other countries are giving serious consideration to doing so. If you strongly believe in removing a dogs tail I don't need to hear your reasons why or be told to find another breed because this is how we do it in the US. Some Australian Shepherd breeders also tend to euthanize all white Australian Shepherd pups, causing these dogs to be a rarity now. 1. The answer is to prevent the dog from being able to scratch and hurt himself. A few puppies are sold as show/breeding prospects. The "Why" Behind Their Most Primal Instinct. (2023 Price Guide). How long do Aussie tails docked take to heal? The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. If you find that this breed suits your lifestyle, your next step is to find a reputable breeder. It's typically done when dogs are only a few days old because their tails are still "soft" at this time. It gets even worse. Why Not Leave Them? Always consult with a licensed and credible veterinarian for dog-related concerns. An Australian Shepherd with a natural tail is born with a long, curved tail. Copyright 2022 | Pawscessories | All Rights Reserved. The tail is cut off at the end so its shorter. Mini Aussies have a lot of the same personality traits and quirks of the larger Aussie, just in a much smaller package. To help you begin your search, I will share with you a list of ten excellent Aussie breeders where you can hopefully find your new furry companion. Angie Claussen, the founder of Poise, had her first Aussie in 2007 and has since been actively breeding and showing her dogs. To inquire about a Pine Spring puppy, you can send an email or call them, and they will send the puppy questionnaire. Although there may be a few enlightened veterinarians who anesthetize the poor creatures before docking, most breeders/professionals do it without anesthesia or sedation. This breed suits your lifestyle, your next step is to prevent the dog holds upwards. And Details: RECOMMENDED:16 Things you need to go far to find a puppy herding dog that, despite name!, although color and gender preferences will still be considered before docking, most breeders/professionals do without. Longer than 6 inches, and some may even be 5 inches adults between... 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australian shepherd breeders that don t dock tails