Born without a tail...

[MacMitch]

My most recent rott pup was born without a tail. I was wondering:

1.) how many of you have a rott that was born without a tail?? and
2.) were there any problems associated with having no tail?

Thanks.

[damp]

I have seen a few of such dogs and years ago, we had a “born tailless” pup/young dog in the club! I should say, I have seen better top lines… but also worse!
I followed the dog to about the age of 2 years I think, and no problems!

PS:
Since the tail is an extension of the spine, I consider “born tailless” a genetic fault and I would stay away from such a dog.

[frontierrots]

Dogs born with a stub (like a docked dog) have had no problem. Those born totally tailless (ala corgi length) can have some problems

This is from my friend who had a male that carried the short tail gene

[mikimm]

I don't know if it is the same with dogs as with people...but when children are born with a visible external genetic defect (say cleft lip or dimple by the ear for example) there are usually non-visible internal disorders as well. I'd wonder if there was something like a tethered spinal cord or other spinal defect that isn't visible (spina bifida occulta maybe). But as I said, I don't really know as much about genetic defects in dogs as compared to children...

I do know, that not all defects are genetic, though. Some can be spontaneous mutations, or accident in development. There is a condition called amniotic band syndrome where a part develops on the outside of the amniotic sac and the sac amputates that part. This might be why a dog could be born without a tail. This wouldn't be something that could be transmitted genetically to offspring because it's just an accidental thing that isn't under genetic control.

[Terri Lambert]

I actually own a 6 year old rottie that was born tailless, and I know her half sister carries the gene also as she had a litter with a few tailless puppies in it. My dog has no health issues related to being tailless, but I ended up not breeding her due to other issues. And yes she does have a very straight top line as she was shown in confirmation for a while and received seven pts toward her championship.

[Sasha's Mom]

Originally Posted by damp

I have seen a few of such dogs and years ago, we had a “born tailless” pup/young dog in the club! I should say, I have seen better top lines… but also worse!
I followed the dog to about the age of 2 years I think, and no problems!

PS:
Since the tail is an extension of the spine, I consider “born tailless” a genetic fault and I would stay away from such a dog.

Stay away from it? I see nothing wrong with having such pup as a PET.

[damp]

Originally Posted by Sasha's Mom

Stay away from it? I see nothing wrong with having such pup as a PET.

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

[MacMitch]

Wow ~ not what I was expecting but... it never is.

[Sasha's Mom]

Originally Posted by damp

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

Since when were we discussing your pets...ermm...DOGS?

Any dog deserves a loving and caring owner, regardless of their "genetic fault". Of course, you can't breed them or show them, but stating that one should stay away from such a dog...is pretty sad.

[DarinBongo]

Originally Posted by damp

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

why do you own animals if they are not your pets? If you want something to show off, go play sports and win a trophy. Animals are not just dogs/cats, they ARE pets and if you took the step to buy one then you should have known they don't need just food and water, but also love and attention.

I feel bad for your PETS.

[RottieGirl86]

I think Damp's point (forgive me if I'm wrong) is the trend the last 20 odd years to treat animals as humans and disregard their past 50, 000 year history. i.e. people who lack 'dog sense.'

A genetic flaw would be culled from the herd by a farmer or breeder. It weakens the blood lines as recessive traits become more dominate in the breeding stock. Now, 'culling' is seen as 'inhuman' when really bringing a an animal with disctint disadvantages into the world is cruel imo - epsecially if spine issues occur. Dogs cannot tell us they are in pain and will go to great lengths to hide pain as the result of being a pack animal.

I call my dogs 'pets', but I also always recognize they are dogs, not small humans.

[princessmom]

Rottiegirl, I didn't get that from Damp's comment because it wasn't said "my dogs are not human (or children) they are dogs". To say that your dog is not a pet has a different inference altogether. Though I will refrain from stating my opinion about such a statement.

[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.

[Terri Lambert]

I just wanted you guys to know a tailless rottweiler looks just like a docked rottie, with one or two vertebrae left. My girl does have a stump that grows hair on the end like a flag if I don't trim it. Does anyone realize that some aussies and old english sheepdogs are born tailless also, and in the aussie breed they must verify it on asca papers and not breed to another tailless dog but they may breed to a docked dog.

[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