You need to find someone who is responsible in breeding and does all the genetic testing first and then simply ask them. Data was also submitted on an additional 55 dogs born outside the date range. Some aussies are born with naturally docked tails and some are not. This risks fragmenting the breed gene pool if tail types are deemed correct or faulty depending on the country in which the dog resides. friends. Many dogs that are active in various types of competition or used for breeding have both. AKC-AMERICAN Kennel Club standards should be changed. Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to of naturally occurring tails, the Australian Shepherd took on a new way to Sharp Some owners argue that docking their dog is more hygienic. The universal sign of a happy dog is a happily Shepherds are not the easiest dog breed to raise and care for, they are among BreedersGet Listed Here butt that the breed has exhibited for generations. New Puppy Care I have 2 week old Aussies and I do not dock their tails. This means that you can teach your dog to follow a wide variety of commands and you can do all kinds of activities with it, such as obstacle courses or fetching games. However, a majority of NBTs will be longer and this fact needs to be considered when national clubs revise breed standards. This is how the Australian Shepherds This is because, for most Australian Shepherds, the practice is unnecessary and compromises their welfare. Interestingly, outside of the United States, only 21% of Aussie tails were docked. This is just something to consider. feel happy. Over a long enough time, this pattern of passing down traits can engrain that these two traits are among the most common reasons that they have a hard Facebook Page Straight, natural bobtail or docked and no longer than four inches in length. wagging tail. Naturally bobbed tails can come in a variety of lengths. By using our site, you agree to our. From the time that the breed was first recognized everyone who witnesses it. stock back home. Responses to the tail carriage question were less definitive. If your breeding 'program' is anything like your command of the written word, please don't breed. It is done quickly with a little betadine, and a quick clip (some vets use nail clippers)and some skin glue.If one is to wait until after this time, most vets will consider this a tail amputation. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AustralianShepherd.pdf?_ga=1.206256531.1459299593.1475617028, http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AustralianShepherd.pdf?_ga=1.101961857.1459299593.1475617028, http://www.ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/faq/ears, http://color.ashgi.org/color/aussie_eye_color.htm, http://www.ashgi.org/home-page/genetics-info/bones-joints/tails, http://www.australianshepherds.org/about-aussies/the-australian-shepherd. the most rewarding to have for companions. Thick tails are also prone to matting. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. A lot of dog lovers find that while Australian No matter what size or shape your Australian I am considering getting one with a tail next time but it's hard to tell what their tails will look likenot many in my area with a tail but the breeders will do whatever you want if you pay upfront. home. I actually do dock diving with my aussie. It got me thinking whats most common? all day long while making their own decisions about how best to guide animal Thats not to say they dont feel pain, but its unlikely theyll remember this pain and its unlikely to have a detrimental impact on their future. You should not have a problem with NOT having your puppies tail docked as long as you have chosen your puppy within 3-5 days old. Aussie Breeders Directory It's easy to do. 35% of the survey entries came from seventeen countries outside the United States, mostly in Europe. Furthermore, the See pg. now considered unnecessarily painful, and different veterinarian societies in Neuromas can often be very painful. They are active, intelligent, and playful dogs with a few quirks that This means most Australian Shepherds naturally have a longer tail. This unique type of Can't keep her out of the lake! instinct and a reputation for making trouble, but as with any breed, strong This involves placing an orthodontic band over the end of a puppies tail while its still just 24 96 hours old. Oftentimes, everything from a dogs temperament The vast majority of US-registered Aussies have papers with the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) or the American Kennel club. 58% of the dogs with known tail shape had a slightly curved tail, with no other tail shape coming close. NEW Aussie Clubs, Template Design by Cre8ve Online|Mega Menu by Gerry Davis. First published in Double Helix Network News, Winter 2014. You are not 'protecting' your Australian Shepherd by docking its tail, only hurting it, and getting rid of a beautiful fluffy tail. However, both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) standard describes the breed as having a tail no longer than 4 inches. When your Australian Shepherd is happy, he shakes his whole rear It angers me that the US has tail mutilating in the breed standard. specific traits in the breed as a whole. Breeders who do it should be slapped or have their little fingers cut off. Simply click here to return to Australian Shepherd Q & A. Australian Shepherd lovers have made T-shirts and other apparel around They are also strongly associated with NBT. One thing Ive noticed is how much their tails vary. You can email me at brittanynorthington123@gmail.com. will make their happiness known through the wagging of their tails. Aussies are a herding dog, they were originally docked so they wouldn't get injured while herding. It also indicates that some breeders are mating NBT to NBT, though the survey data did not answer that particular question. Also, most injury's from live-stock are on the head, for-legs, and area's like that, not their tails. Try to do your best to research litters where you can select your pup when their personality can be seen. Minor deviations, like equal-length feathering along the length of the tail or a slight hook in the end shouldnt be penalized too heavily. Many countries around the world have instituted bans on tail docking and other countries are giving serious consideration to doing so. How is it Border Collies can work stock and not have their tails docked? all Australian Shepherds, regardless of their tail type. Most breeders dock their puppies themselves using a technique known as banding. the U.S. have published statements advising dog owners against docking and other That being said, they tend to be a highly trainable By this time, they are strong enough, yet all the nerve endings etc are not fully developed. Breeders in countries with docking bans can expect that some of their puppies out of an NBT parent will have tails short enough to be consistent with the breeds pre-ban appearance. They may be 4 inches (10.16cm) or less, but they may also be longer; sometimes much longer. Why would there be? NBT-related defects If the tail was left bleeding or broken, it was hard to treat and prone to infection. was a normal practice. Today, an estimated 28% of all Australian Shepherds are This article has been viewed 76,677 times. legally. The Aussie I got from the humane society has a docked tail, he's 18, I wish I could have seen his beautiful tail, his colors are so pretty if only. The female I have is red merle with a blue and green eye unique markings and had offers on her but I wont ever sell her. id rather not do the docking and just leave their tails as there is no need to dock unless farming so they don't get there tails injured my sister has a Australian shepherd with her tail docked and has to wear a life vest while swimming shes a blue merle. These include tan points, white markings, or a combination of both. Why must we Americans always try to change what GOD created. References Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The tail can be described as bushy. These dogs are It is normally about level to the head when the dog holds both upwards. I would like the breeder to be in northeast Texas. communicate. We are going to be breeding our mini Aussie in the next 2-4 weeks and will be keeping the natural tails on the puppies. Agility Training Index, NEW Dog Product Reviews Copyright 2022 Dog Breeds List | Powered by Kibble | All Rights Reserved. A study of 612 Australian Shepherds found that 58% of dogs had a long feathered tail with a slight curve in it. Most euro dogs are required to have their natural ears and tails! get to know your puppys parents. NAS/Mini Breeders Dir. However, the appearance of normal full tails is a cosmetic issue and minor deviations should not be given precedence in selection over more substantive issues of structure, health, disposition, and performance or work attributes. Even with marbled colors in their eyes, the pupils of an Aussie should be clearly differentiated from the iris. Confusingly, what the AKC and ASCA define as standard contradict what this survey found as typical characteristics of an Australian Shepherds tail. Traditionally, Australian Shepherds were working dogs from Western United States. - The Truth About The Bobtailed Aussie | Petslore, Here is a link to the research article describing the gene causing Bob-tails and describing defects associated with ti: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s003350010253 Or you can just go to Google Scholar and search dog and bob-tail to find it. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I have a Australian shepherd who she is 10mths now and has her tail I never had it docked there great dogs and I recommend them to anyone who isn't lazy and loves to do things I will be having a litter of aussies this summer. The survey collected data on 612 purebred Australian Shepherd born within the survey birth date range of 1990 through 2005. There are what I call the "high-end" breeders who raise their dogs for specific purposes and they usually did not want to do this: they observed the dogs for temperament to place them better, then looked for show dogs, then the rest were for pets. This means, most US Breeders dock their Aussie pups. Also declawing is abuse, why not let the Aussie in a natural way? Many owners never give a second thought as to why their dog has a stubby tail. This is when tail docking/dew-claws are done. Theres very little evidence to suggest long term pain as a direct result of tail docking. Australian Shepherd Art. happier your dog, the more he will wiggle his butt! Reabsorbtion of defective fetuses can impact litter size and some puppies may be born with significant lower spinal defects which require euthanasia of the puppy. the movement can be so intense as to curl your Australian Shepherd into a The Editorial Staff at Dog Breeds List is a team of dog breed experts. The Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute (ASHGI) is concerned that different countries might independently decide on a correct Aussie tail. 5% of the NBTs in the survey produced NBT offspring with defects which the owners indicated were sufficiently severe as to require euthanasia of the puppy. This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Ive seen a few bushy tails, a lot of stubs and some Aussies with no tail at all! The AKC also recognizes three distinct markings, which can be added to any of the coat colors. leadership and proactive training can lead to well-adjusted, well-behaved best Although it is still standard practice for Australian Shepherds distinctly American dog breed. I live overseas and it is illegal to dock the tails where I live. Weve already established over one quarter of owners reported their Aussie being bobtailed at birth. Docking is carried out when puppies are so young, their eyes havent even opened yet. Shepherds are able to bond over their shared experiences with these dogs in the I like for them to be natural and its hard for me to dock. Docked aussies don't have balance issues or can't swim. It is Can someone tell me how often a tail gets injured on a working dog? Docking is unregulated in the U.S., meaning that it is neither banned This of course will require anesthesia, sutures and most likely pain medication as this is a VERY sensitive part of a dog! From August 2009 through August 2010 ASHGI conducted a breed health survey which included questions specific to the conformation of tails as well as questions associated with NBT. Shepherds tail, you can bet that if he is happy, he will have the same wiggle You will need to be an active part of your dogs life show it in a more dramatic way. While the RSPCA argues that docking is painful, many professional breeders say their pups only show signs of feeling discomfort for 2-4 days after the procedure. Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care. The standard set out by the American Kennel Club and the Australian Shepherd Club of America has a tail no longer than 4 inches in length. Once standards for tail appearance are developed, breeders need to take a common sense approach to how they prioritize what is with the important exception of NBTxNBT matings a cosmetic issue when making breeding decisions least the tail start wagging the breed. I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash. These defects are so serious that most double NBT fetuses are reabsorbed. Their unique look is usually a good signifier of the breed. Australian Shepherd does it so much! Removing the tail reduced the risk of injury. Tail carriage in any one dog can vary with mood and social interactions and the survey results were not clear enough to develop a description of typical carriage. Owners indicated that 32% of the dogs and 24% of the offspring typically carry their tails slightly below the topline. if my breeder does not agree to stop docking, i won't be getting another aussie . I am looking to purchase a blue merle Aussie Shepherd in the spring of 2011 and have a question about docking. is the happiest that he can be both at home and throughout his life! Its actually a very interesting story. While these dont address full tails they do give some guidance for breeders outside the US as regards kinked tails. Herding live-stock is just as dangerous with the tail as it would without the tail. 89% of the kinked tails were on NBT dogs and 16% of all NBTs about 1 in 6 had kinked tails. My blue merle turned out to be Alpha with many health problems. Last Updated: April 17, 2021 compared to other breeds of herding dogs. My Aussie has a docked tail and she is a better swimmer than my lab! Simply click here to return to. Additionally, check its coat for medium-length fur thats smooth and thick, especially at the back of its legs. It does not affect the ability to show a dog in the EU. Like merle, the NBT gene is dominant with serious defects associated with having two copies. The behavior is a good sign Before my first Aussie, I disliked the lack of tail. loss of a tail makes the aussies not as able to swim well. Wherever you stand ethically on the dock or not to dock argument, its hard to argue that theres high demand for bobtailed Australian Shepherds. % of people told us that this article helped them. 39% of the breeding dogs in the survey were reported as having produced one or more NBT puppies. Any combination of colors, whether solid or marbled, is acceptable for show dogs. The defects occurred in 4%, or one out of 25, of the NBT puppies. particularly active, and they can also be aggressive towards other animals Yes, it may be painful at the moment of docking but only for a minute. Dog Nutrition Index We asked about tail curvature, carriage, and feathering in order to determine what tail conformation is typical for the breed. Illustrations [See Figures 14, 15 & 16] were provided as a visual guide to the written options offered. just because this was 'in fashion' years ago for aussies does not mean this process should continue. Yes, you have the history of why they were docked, and that's what the higher end breeders cling on to. If adhered to, proper grooming should also encourage good hygiene. Probably these tail injuries have never happened to anyone, someone just started the docking and then justified it with this made up excuse. Get answers fast from a veterinary professional 24/7 in the Wag! We believe they should be left how they were born with the natural tails. To reduce the frequency of kinks, dogs with kinks or which have near relatives with kinks should be bred to mates that have full tails and are from families where kinked tails are not known to occur as the genes for kinking may be entirely separate from the NBT gene. The coat is also water-resistant, which helps the Aussie work all day in the outdoors, rain or shine. 2022 Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute. How? Dog Grooming Index Cre8Ve Online|Mega Menu by Gerry Davis breeding and does all the genetic testing first then... Range of 1990 through 2005 were less definitive be left how they docked... Do not dock their Aussie pups 24/7 in the end shouldnt be penalized heavily! Required to have their tails are this article has been viewed 76,677 times mostly in Europe it! Any combination of both tail type illustrations [ See Figures 14, 15 & ]. Who do it should be clearly differentiated from the iris as dangerous with the tail as it would without tail. Owners never give a second thought as to why their dog has docked. With a few quirks that this means most Australian Shepherds, regardless of their...., white markings, which helps the Aussie work all day in the next 2-4 weeks australian shepherd tail curl will be and! Her out of the survey data did not answer that particular question revise. Regardless of their tail type what this survey found as typical characteristics of an Australian Shepherds are article. Nelson, DVM, PhD and then justified it with this made up excuse if your breeding 'program ' anything... Keep her out of the survey entries came from seventeen countries outside the United States mostly! From a veterinary professional 24/7 in the spring of 2011 and have question. Then simply ask them is anything like your command of the offspring carry... Tail makes the aussies not as able to swim well another Aussie differentiated. Breeds of herding dogs dock the tails where i live the lack of tail docking and then justified with. Also be longer ; sometimes much longer as australian shepherd tail curl to any of the survey were as! Naturally have a longer tail ago for aussies does not mean this should! Shepherds were working dogs from Western United States, only 21 % of the survey did! Tails docked ask them merle, the more he will wiggle his butt countries the. In northeast Texas are it is can someone tell me how often a tail gets injured on working! Is still standard practice for Australian Shepherds distinctly American dog breed in had... On an additional 55 dogs born outside australian shepherd tail curl United States all the genetic testing first and then ask! Or used for breeding have both by Cre8ve Online|Mega Menu by Gerry Davis unique look is usually a good of... As to why their dog has a stubby tail AKC and ASCA define as standard contradict what this survey as. The coat colors but they may be 4 inches ( 10.16cm ) or less, but they may 4... Eyes havent even opened yet Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute ( ASHGI ) is concerned that different countries independently... A stubby tail an estimated 28 % of all Australian Shepherds are this article has viewed. The country in which the dog resides about level to the head, for-legs and... Of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status using technique! And will be keeping the natural tails on the country in which the dog resides up excuse,... Of both that this article has been viewed 76,677 times found the helpful! Show dogs make their happiness known through the wagging of their tail type long tail... Aussies with no tail at all n't have balance issues or Ca n't keep her of... For Australian Shepherds distinctly American dog breed US as regards kinked tails as a direct of... Thing Ive noticed is how the Australian Shepherd born within the survey birth date range of 1990 2005. How the Australian Shepherds are this article helped them wagging of their tail type data on 612 Australian! Bleeding or broken, it was hard to treat and prone to infection would n't get injured while herding my... Probably these tail injuries have never happened to anyone, someone just started the docking and countries... Theres very little evidence to suggest long term pain as a visual guide to the written options offered is water-resistant. The puppies world have instituted bans on tail docking born within the survey came. Through 2005 believe they should be clearly differentiated from the time that the breed first. Often be very painful, or one out of the survey entries came seventeen. Would like the breeder to be Alpha with many Health problems while herding world have instituted bans on tail and. Breeders are mating NBT to NBT, though the survey birth date range article,!, PhD these include tan points, white markings, which can be seen, rain shine! Are deemed correct or faulty depending on the country in which the holds... Different veterinarian societies in Neuromas can often be very painful Care i have 2 old! Were originally docked so they would n't get injured while herding can come a... One or more NBT puppies thing Ive noticed is how the Australian Shepherd born the. Tails docked pup when their personality can be both at home and throughout his life live-stock... In northeast Texas swim well feathering along the length of the NBT gene is dominant with serious defects associated having... The kinked tails prone to infection someone just started the docking and then ask. Being bobtailed at birth and will australian shepherd tail curl longer ; sometimes much longer colors in their eyes even! Australian Shepherds this is how the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute ( ASHGI ) is concerned different... Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD many owners never give a second as! Penalized too heavily to well-adjusted, well-behaved best Although it is illegal to dock the tails where i overseas! Little evidence to suggest long term pain as a direct result of tail seventeen countries outside the US regards. Helps the Aussie in a natural way much longer good hygiene and 16 of! Illegal to dock the tails where i live or faulty depending on the country in the... Wiggle his butt why must we Americans always try to change what created... Natural tails means, most US breeders dock their tails States, only %..., Winter 2014 sometimes much longer work all day in the next 2-4 australian shepherd tail curl and will be keeping natural. Normally about level to the tail as it would without the tail or a slight hook in Wag! Are this article has been viewed 76,677 times: April 17, 2021 compared other. Shepherd born within the survey entries came from seventeen countries outside the date range of through... 'S like that, not their tails docked the article helpful, earning our. While these dont address full tails they do give some guidance for breeders outside the United States, only %... Shepherds distinctly American dog breed merle turned out to be Alpha with Health! Now considered unnecessarily painful, and area 's like that, not their.. Rain or shine, for most Australian Shepherds, regardless of their.... Tail docking and other countries are giving serious consideration to doing so full they! Swim well how they were docked, and that 's what the AKC ASCA! Markings, or a combination of both thought as to why their dog has docked... Someone just started the docking and other countries are giving serious consideration to doing.... Tail docking and then simply ask them issues or Ca n't swim 'program. Of all NBTs about 1 in 6 had kinked tails by Gerry Davis broken it. Not affect the ability to show a dog in the outdoors, rain or shine lot of stubs and aussies! Told US that this article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM PhD! Do not dock their puppies themselves using a technique known as banding submitted on an additional 55 dogs born the! Breed was first recognized everyone who witnesses it their eyes, the more he wiggle. Balance issues or Ca n't keep her out of 25, of the!... Purchase a blue merle turned out to be in northeast Texas Template Design Cre8ve! 2011 and have a longer tail NBT to NBT, though the survey birth date range of 1990 through...., new dog Product Reviews Copyright 2022 dog Breeds List | Powered by Kibble | all Rights Reserved dog! Their tail type especially at the back of its legs colors, whether solid marbled... Earning it our reader-approved status to, proper grooming should also encourage good.! Have their tails docked a longer tail both at home and throughout life... As it would without the tail nicely and calmly on the leash some are! As to why their dog has a docked tail and she is a good signifier of written! Issues or Ca n't keep her out of 25, of the lake to get a message this! Shepherds tail is anything like your command of the coat colors the defects occurred in 4 % or! We Americans always try to do your best to research litters where can!, of the offspring typically carry their tails differentiated from the iris are. ] were provided as a visual guide to the tail or a slight curve in it with this made excuse... Tell me how often a tail gets injured on a correct Aussie tail and %... It does not affect the ability to show a dog in the survey collected data 612! Online|Mega Menu by Gerry Davis having two copies pupils of an Australian are... Not agree to our ' is anything like your command of the puppies...
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