No Tail

[Ales]

In response to Bob Tail, My adopted rottie has no tail, I mean none at all. Everyone always comments and ask me if he was born w/o a tail. But, I hadn't a clue as to if rotties were born with or w/o a tail.
Now, I read that being tailless may cause spinal or colon problems. He is 7 y/o. What type of spinal problems? Does this mean that I should not do any type of draft work with him?

[nick teifke]

Rottweilers are born with tails, although I have heard in rare cases of them being born without. They are docked (cut off) usually in the first week of life. Now that docking is illegal in many areas of the world, you will start to see more and more Rottweilers w/ tails.
And no, the absence of the dogs tail will not prohibit it from "working", and should not in and of itself cause spinal problems (but Im no expert in that field)
Good luck!

[Blade's_Mom]

My rottie was born without a tail. I was told that it was sign of their bloodline. For instance, 6 of the 11 puppies were born sans tail. Of the last litter (same damn and sire), 5 of 8 were born sans tails. Nothing at all, just a "hair tail", the triangle of hair that would cover a normal docked tail.

[RottyMommy]

That's kind of sad...a Rottie with no tail. I think when they wag that little bitty nub, its just the cutest thing in the whole world! :)

People have complained to me that it is cruel, docking the tail, and I have to admit, I don't know much about the whole thing to really have an opinion - I just assumed they must have had a reason or they wouldn't have done it to begin with.

I've been told that the tail muscles, because of docking, have been "bred-out" of the dogs and the tail will hang there limp and useless if it is left on. Does anyone know if this is true? I have a couple Rottie books and neither really goes into that (that I can find).

On the lighter side, I have discovered that having a tail-less dog is an asset...everything stays on my coffee table no matter what mood he is in. :D

[Blade's_Mom]

You can see pictures of my rottie's tailless butt in this thread

Our vet has also assured us that he will have no spinal problems, that it's a myth.

[TrishB]

There is a condition with Bulldogs that have corkscrew tails (looks like no tail but the tail is actually 'inside' the dog). This can cause problems with their spines and with bowel control. However, this is not present in other breeds.

Rotties with tails can wag them just as well as a lab! ;)

[frontierrots]

I am always interested in pedigrees for tailess rotts. If you pm me I'll send you my email addy.

So far the tailess peds I've gotten have been BYB with onl a couple exceptions.

[DaisyLulu]

Hi! I saw the photos-even without a stub, he is still a
very handsome fellow! I have noticed at dog shows
that the tails (stubs) were getting almost non-existent.
I called on an ad for puppies last year and the guy was
telling me how the tails were completely cut off. I told
him "good-bye"! I know that they are supposed to
have 2 or 3 vertabraes left after docking. I wouldn't mind my next
rottie or rotties having a tail or if it's docked. It's the size of
their hearts that makes them wonderful!

Michelle and Daisy (3 year old sweetheart)