Australian Shepherds

14 years ago

My DH loves these dogs, and I agree they are gorgeous. He was wondering why their tails are cut off. I've seen one dog in town here who has a full tail and I must admit, it looked funny, as they usually don't have one.

It seems to me, one of you have an Aussie, and I'm wondering why their tails are gone. Not even a stub, but cut right at the butt.

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Comments (15)

rthummer
14 years ago
Mine was born without a tail, but some are born with tail and are cut off. Your question beats me...I don't know. We adopted ours because she was going to be put down as she did not make it in the show ring because her personality was too soft. It definetely wasn't because of her looks. She won numerous puppy shows. But the breeder and owners had better dogs they wanted to win with and they didn't want her any more and they didn't want her bred or to take the chance of her getting bred or shown so they were going to have her put down. We had to sign a contract a mile long of things we would not do just to get her. But to answer your question some are born with tails and some are not, so I think for uniformity they cut off the ones who are born with tails.

Darleen
magic_arizona
14 years ago
I have an Aussie and I don't know why their tails are cut. They are herders so maybe that has something to do with it.

What you saw in town might have been a Border collie. They look alot alike in some respects and have the long tail. Although they are herders too so my theory is flawed.
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shellm
14 years ago
RT.....What a beauty.She is lucky to have you.

Shelley and Drake
magic_arizona
14 years ago
Well now, nobody said we were posting pictures!
kayjones
14 years ago
The site below has the answers. I have a border collie and I can see why - they pick up sticks and burrs in their tails. Dog's tails are very sensitive and trying to brush those burrs out is a nightmare!

Here is a link that might be useful: Why A.S.'s tails are cut
Jasdip
Original Author
14 years ago
Darleen, she is a beauty! The one I see in town is an Aussie....she has the markings and the speckled eyes.

That's strange why they cut off their tails because of the burrs and twigs etc, when Burnese Mtn dogs, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds all have tails.

How do you know when they are happy without a tail???
Are they just naturally happy? G. Retrievers always look happy. They look like they are smiling all the time and their tails are always wagging.
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
i thought that many of the kennel people were condemming tail cropping on several breeds, including c. spaniels...
rthummer
14 years ago
Jasdip, When Skye is happy her hips (middle of her body to backend go side to side just like a tail does really fast) It is a wonder her hip doesn't go out of joint. I have wondered if it was not good for her. Those of you that your dogs don't have tails do your dogs do that?

Darleen
Marilyn Sue McClintock
14 years ago
Several cattle farmers in our area have the Aussies and also the border collies. I don't know why they crop their tails. Izzi has a full curly tail and she wiggles her hiney when happy. Why do they crop any doggies tails, rotts, yorkies, Jack Russell's?

Sue
rthummer
14 years ago
Magic,

Pretty FurBaby!! Looks like he might be looking at you!(;-)

Darleen
pkguy
14 years ago
I'm not really sure why they cut the tails either. Here's my Pip, he was 11 months old the other day, this picture is older. When they docked his tail they did leave about a 4 inches which according to the "rules" is the maximum length allowed. In the UK it is now illegal I believe to alter any dogs tails, ears etc even for kennel clubs so all the breed standards have to be rewritten. Pips a tri-color Aussie, one brother was a black and white, and the rest were merles like the picture above
trishaw
14 years ago
We have an Aussie too. He was born without his tail. We know when he is happy as his little stump goes crazy! I have heard that they remove tails from herding animals so that the cattle does not step on them and break them. Also due to what they get caught in the tail hair in the fields.

Trish
Terri_PacNW
14 years ago
Trish nails the reason...working dogs of that nature the breeds were cropped because of the work they did/do, it's a hazard to have that extra bit on them.

We are tailess dog people. We lean towards nubbie butt dogs..LOL
We have a border collie/aussie mix, and her mother the (BC) was born with a nub, as was only one of the pups from that litter. The others were cropped.
pris
14 years ago
Marilyn S, I don't know about the others, but the Jack Russell's tail is cropped leaving it 4 to 6 inches long to provide a "handle" to pull him out of the rabbit hole when they chase it to ground. (and other small game) Even if he's not used for hunting, the tail is cropped as it's become a symbol of the breed. Much like cropped ears for schnauzers.
Marilyn Sue McClintock
14 years ago
Yep, would make a good handle on Harley! Can't say a yorkie or a rottweiler's cropped tail would be a good handle, ha, ha.

Sue

Australian Shepherds

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