Born without a tail...

[FilosFolks]

Originally Posted by dipper

I really don't know if this is true or not but I have read in some old Rottweiler books and have been told by some "old timers" that the practice of docking tails was started because "back in the day" when some breeds were being developed and refined, dogs/bitches that were born tailless were highly sought after.
Don't ask me why, I don't know--maybe people liked the look.
Again, I don't know if it is true but I have seen it in print and been told this.

Rich

Tail docking began becasue they were a nuissance.

MANY breeds have docked tails and there is always a reason WHY it began, although now it is primarily for aesthetics.

Tails got in the way of hunting (spaniels, German pointers) or herding (shepherds) as they actually would get caught on something.

SHEEP are born with tails, and they are taken to lessen the mess.

It is no wonder why our modern bred dogs have evolved and are appearing without tails.

Ailee

[princessmom]

Mac, hi, sorry if I got a little off-topic there. I was just scanning through posts and saw the statement I referred to and wondered about it. IMO, there is a lot of great information on this website and it has helped me tremendously (not to mention that it's free) lol.
I didn't have an answer about your tailless pup anyway, I was just curious about it. I used to think all rotts were born that way. What I read about why rotts don't have/keep their tails is because back in the day they carried the butcher's money around their neck and not having a tail kept a theif from grabbing it making it harder to rob the butcher.

[Ayoka]

Originally Posted by FilosFolks

Tails got in the way of hunting (spaniels, German pointers) or herding (shepherds) as they actually would get caught on something.

Well then why do the GSD, belgian's, australian cattle dogs, Kelpies, beaucerons, border collies and shelties all have tails?

With the herding breeds, I believe that that docking is more uncommon than one would think....

[spidey]

Ayoka is correct, herding breeds (which I own) are only rarely traditionally docked, there are far more herding breeds with tails than without, in fact the number of docked or tailless breeds in the herding group can be counted on one hand: Aussies, Pembroke Corgis, Old English Sheepdogs, Bouviers and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are it. My breed (Swedish Vallhund) carries the natural bobtail gene, and can be docked, but can also be shown with a full tail. If tail docking really had to do with herding, the majority of herding breeds would be docked, and they are not (including the cattle-specific breeds).

[FilosFolks]

Ayoka, Spidey,

At no point did I state ALL hunting and herding breeds had docked tails. I said there USED to be a purpose for taking them, i.e. they were a nuissance in some way.

If you have a response to the OPs inquiry it was not included with your posts.

Ailee

[Anne]

Originally Posted by MacMitch

I honestly think ya'll are a bit over the top for me, must be why this site is so small and offers so little.

The dog, my pet, is just fine in its health, btw the vet says there are no known problems with any dog born without a tail (as a matter of fact my rott without the tail is much better looking than most with they tail or the clipped tail -so on the surface I totally prefer the look without). I was merely asking to see if anyone on this site had any USEFUL information as far as the pup goes.

She is having some issues after taking a dump with having her arse clean - I wondered if it had to do with the tailess thing but after visiting a professional (not a bunch of website wonders) I am confident there aren't any problems associated with being tail-less.

Terri, I'd love to hear from you (since you seem to be the only one who really owns a tail-less rott) but unfortunately this website doesn't allow instant messaging.

I have to wonder why you are here if this forum is so small and offers you so little.

I'll tell you why most of us are here...to learn. However you seem to think you know it all. If you wouldn't mind cleaning up your language a little it would be make for more acceptable reading.

I'll tell you something you don't know. Dogs tails are not 'clipped' they are docked. I'll also tell you what your vet doesn't know, if in fact you are not attributing your own opinion to what you say you were told. Some dogs born without tails do have major problems. Spina Bifida being one of them so don't be too confident that ALL dogs born without tails are problem free.

You could read and learn before you spout ill advised nonsense. Many of the so called website wonders here have probably forgotten more than you will ever learn with your attitude.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by damp

Right... but my dogs are not pets, they are dogs!!!

My pets are also dogs! They are much loved members of the family who are dogs not fur babies. They are cared for, trained and loved as well behaved canine family members who have the privilges that come with living inside the home with the family.

[TrinaJ]

pet; - noun

1. any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.

Damp, this to me sounds like it would be referring to a dog or cat I am guessing you mean that your dog is treated as a dog, the lowest of YOUR pack not as a human or a toy. I know from your posts that you care for your dogs. Some people just treat them differently, it doesn't make them wrong, just different. Imagine the world if we were all the same, would be pretty boring wouldn't it.

OP...mind your language, there is no need to swear to get your point across, the dictionary is full of useful words, i suggest you explore it before using foul language. This forum is quite informative if you take the time to listen to the advice given...My advice to you, if you dont like it here you dont have to stay, or just get thicker skin, no one is attacking you, just advising you.

Trina

[maddieandmason]

I have to admit, I have two rotties Mason has his tail docked, before the law was changed, and Maddie still has her tail, and I have to say I prefer dogs with tails..