Australian Shepherd Docked Tail: The Ongoing Controversy

Australian Shepherd docked tail raises heated ethical debate despite being ingrained in breed standards, as veterinary research challenges routinely removing Aussies’ tails just for cosmetic reasons. The Australian Shepherd is an energetic, intelligent, and loyal herding breed that originated in the western United States. They were bred to herd livestock over long distances in challenging terrain, requiring agility, endurance and a strong work ethic. The docking or removal of part of the Australian Shepherd’s tail soon became a common practice and breed standard. However, this procedure has long been controversial, sparking heated debate among breeders, veterinarians, animal welfare advocates and owners. Those in favor argue it prevents tail injuries, improves hygiene and avoids snagging while working. Opponents cite evidence of unnecessary pain, altered communication, lack of benefit for injury prevention, and an unethical cosmetic procedure. Today, the controversy continues, as some maintain the practice while others campaign for change.

The History of Tail Docking in Australian Shepherds

Tail docking in the Australian Shepherd likely originated from their ancestors, European herding dogs that were docked to avoid taxes on working dogs. When these herding breeds came to Australia and America in the 19th century, ranchers docked their tails to prevent injuries while working among livestock. As the Australian Shepherd breed developed in America in the early 20th century, docking became customary. The length was not uniform, as ranchers docked tails according to personal preference. By the 1940s-50s, thedocked tail had become a standard part of the Australian Shepherd breed. In 1957, the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) was formed and formally stated that tails should be docked, favoring a dock that left enough tail to provide a good handhold when working stock. Docking soon became firmly entrenched in the Aussie community.

What Does It Mean to “Dock” an Australian Shepherds Tail?

The term “docking” refers to the deliberate shortening or removal of part of a dog’s tail. For Australian Shepherds, docking typically involves surgical removal of a portion of the tail shortly after birth.

The amount of tail removed during docking varies but often leaves just 10-15 vertebrae remaining on the tail. Aussies that are docked usually have tails between 3-5 inches in length as adults. The docked tail of an Aussie will often have just a nub or stub remaining, lacking the longer, flowing tail of an undocked Aussie.

Some key points about docking Aussie tails include:

Performed when puppies are 3-5 days old, under anesthesia
Tail is amputated using surgical scissors, scalpel or laser
Breeders may dock tails themselves or have veterinarians do it
No sutures required as there is minimal bleeding
Docked tail heals quickly but lacks tail muscles, bones and nerves that were removed
Done for cosmetic reasons and to adhere to Aussie breed standards
Length that remains docked is breeder’s preference, no fixed standard
Practice remains common but controversial, with docking bans in many places

“Docking” refers to the surgical shortening of an Australian Shepherd’s tail, traditionally done for cosmetic and identification purposes as part of meeting breed standards. However, the necessity and ethics of this practice are increasingly being questioned.

What is the difference between a docked tail and a bobbed tail?

The main differences between a docked tail and a bobbed tail are:

Docked Tail:

Docking involves surgically shortening the tail, usually within a few days after birth. It is an elective procedure done for certain breeds like Rottweilers and Australian Shepherds.
The tail vertebrae are cut shorter, removing a portion of the tail. The length may vary based on breed standards.
Docking is controversial and banned in many countries as it is considered an unnecessary cosmetic procedure. There are risks of infection and pain.
A docked tail appears blunt or rounded at the end, due to surgical removal of part of the tailbone.

Bobbed Tail:

A bobbed tail is a naturally short or stubby tail found in some breeds like Pembroke Welsh Corgis. It is a normal trait, not surgically altered.
The tail vertebrae are complete but the bone segments are shorter, creating a small nub. No surgery is involved.
Bobbed tails wiggle and move like full length tails, they are just shorter. Docked tails have limited movement.
A bobbed tail tapers to a point at the tip. A docked tail is blunt from surgical cutting.

Docking surgically shortens the tail while a bobbed tail is naturally short due to the breed’s genetics. Docking is elective while bobbed tails are a breed trait.

How Long Does it Take for a Docked Tail to Heal?

Here are some key points about the healing process for a docked tail:

The healing time can range from 7-10 days for the initial healing of the wound. However, the tail may remain sensitive for several weeks after docking.
The docked tail wound will form a dry scab within 24 hours of the procedure. The scab falls off as the wound heals, usually within 1-2 weeks.
Swelling, redness and sensitivity around the tail wound is normal for the first 3-4 days. Signs of pain and discomfort should gradually decrease over the first week.
Keeping the tail clean and dry is important to prevent infection during healing. Some veterinarians recommend an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking.
The docked puppy should be monitored for signs of impaired healing like oozing, worsening swelling or continued sensitivity beyond 7-10 days. This may indicate infection requiring veterinary attention.
Stitches may be used during docking and would be removed after 7-10 days. Stitches help align the vertebrae as the tail heals.
Complete healing of the docked tail, both externally and internally, can take several months. The pup should not injure or place too much pressure on the tail during this time.

Initial external healing occurs within 7-10 days but the tail may remain sensitive for a few weeks after docking. Full healing internally can take several months.

Arguments in Favor of Tail Docking

Those who support tail docking in Australian Shepherds offer several justifications. First, they argue it prevents tail damage while working. An undocked, long tail could get stepped on by livestock, slammed in gates, or cut on debris. Docking removes the vulnerable tail tip, reducing injury risk and pain. Second is hygiene and cleanliness. Long tails can pick up burrs and dirt while herding, becoming matted and messy. A docked tail stays cleaner. Next, docking creates convenience and avoids snagging while working. There are no tangles in brush, risk of shutting tails in vehicle doors, or being stepped on by the dog’s owner. Finally, docking aligns with Aussie breed standards and desired appearance. The docked tail is viewed by proponents as the proper look that identifies the working Australian Shepherd.

Why Do They Dock the Australian Shepherd Tail?

There are a few key reasons why tail docking has historically been done for Australian Shepherds:

To prevent injury – Proponents argue that removing part of the tail reduces the risk of the tail getting stepped on, slammed in gates, or cut while working around livestock. A shorter tail has less chance of being damaged.
For hygiene/cleanliness – Long, undocked tails can collect burrs, dirt and debris more easily. Docking leaves a shorter tail that stays cleaner.
Convenience/avoid snagging – A docked tail is less likely to get tangled in brush, slammed in car doors, or stepped on by the owner.
To meet breed standards – The docked or shortened tail became part of the Australian Shepherd breed standard early on. It is considered the proper “look” and an identifying trait.
Herding ability – Some argue that removing part of the tail improves working ability, though this is debated.
Tradition – Tail docking has been performed for generations, so tradition and maintaining breed traits plays a role in continuing the practice.

However, there is increasing opposition to docking for merely cosmetic or traditional reasons. The necessity and benefit of the procedure are being challenged more as perspectives on animal welfare evolve. But these historical reasons explain why tail docking took hold and persists today in the Aussie community.

Does Tail Docking Reduce Dog Injuries?

There is ongoing debate about whether tail docking significantly reduces injuries in dogs. Here is a summary of what research and evidence suggests:

There are a few high-quality scientific studies conclusively demonstrating reduced injury rates in docked versus undocked dogs. The data is mixed.
Some studies show docked working dogs had marginally lower reported tail injuries over undocked dogs. But injury rates were low even for undocked dogs.
While docking may prevent some injuries at the tail tip, it does not reduce overall injury risk and may increase other injuries due to altered balance/communication.
Many argue that proper husbandry and handling practices better prevent tail injuries than docking.
Reported tail injuries in undocked dogs are fairly low already, with one study showing a rate of just 2.3% in undocked working dogs.
Dogs use tails to communicate and balance, and docking may lead to other welfare issues.
Multiple veterinary associations oppose docking for injury prevention, saying evidence does not support claims of substantial benefit.

Overall, while docked tails sustain fewer tail tip injuries by nature of having less tail, substantial evidence that docking significantly reduces overall injury rates and improves dog welfare is lacking. Prevention through proper practices seems to be the most effective approach according to current research.

Australian Shepherd Docked Tail Ideal Length

There is no universally agreed upon ideal length for a docked Australian Shepherd tail. However, here are some general guidelines:

The Australian Shepherd Club of America breed standard states the tail should be “docked or natural bobtail. The docked tail is preferred, to be of moderate length, natural bobtail should not exceed four inches.”
Many breeders and owners prefer the docked tail to be between 3-5 inches in length when the dog is mature.
Typically, enough tail is left to provide a sufficient handhold for when working livestock. This tends to be around 3-4 vertebrae.
The length of tail that remains after docking is largely based on breeder preferences. Docking length can vary from full tail removal to leaving over half the tail.
Veterinarians may advise docking no more than one-third to one-half of the tail to reduce neuroma formation risks.
Show dogs tend to have shorter docked tails meeting breed standards of 3-5 inches. Working farm dogs sometimes have longer docks.
There are no set penalties for variations in docked tail length according to breed standards. Length is up to the individual breeder.

So while no perfect docked length is universally agreed upon, a tail between 3-5 inches long after docking falls within general Aussie tail docking practices and guidelines. But there is sizable leeway for breeder discretion.

Arguments Against Australian Shepherd Tail Docking

Opponents raise ethical, functional, and efficacy concerns over docking Aussie tails. Docking can cause distress, chronic pain, and neuroma formation in dogs. Critics question performing unnecessary cosmetic surgery. Additionally, docking impairs natural tail function in balance, communication, emotional expression, working ability, and temperature regulation. There is also debate over whether docking truly reduces injury risk, as some studies show no significant difference between docked and undocked working dogs. Finally, routine cosmetic docking is increasingly unacceptable to the public and illegal in many countries, including the breed’s native Australia. Critics feel breed standards should evolve away from docking requirements.

Perspectives on Tail Docking Today

Today, tail docking remains an accepted practice by many Aussie breeders, owners and registries like the ASCA. They view it as a reasonable procedure that upholds tradition and breed identity. However, vocal opponents are prompting reexamination of the issue. Organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association officially oppose docking when done solely for cosmetic or historical reasons. There are calls in the veterinary community to end breed standards that require docking. But registries like ASCA maintain it as part of the Aussie breed standard. Though docking remains common, a growing subset of breeders produce undocked Aussies, believing the tail integral to the dog. Litigation has also ensued over tail docking bans. Clearly, ethical debates on the practice are ongoing.

The AVMA Stance on Australian Shepherd Docked Tail

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes tail docking when done solely for cosmetic or historical reasons. Here are some key points on the AVMA’s stance:

The AVMA states that routine tail docking provides no benefit to the animal, and is considered an unnecessary cosmetic surgery.
They oppose docking when done solely to adhere to breed standards or continue historical traditions.
The AVMA only supports medically necessary tail docking such as cases of traumatic injury requiring partial tail amputation.
They cite evidence that docking can lead to pain, neuroma formation and other negative impacts on dogs.
The AVMA calls for breed associations to eliminate docking from breed standards when done solely for cosmetic purposes.
They support public education on tail docking and legislation prohibiting docking except for medical necessity.
The AVMA policy states “Tail docking of dogs for cosmetic reasons is not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient…Canine tail docking should be banned unless it is medically necessary.”

The AVMA opposes non-therapeutic tail docking as an unnecessary procedure that provides no medical benefit to dogs and can risk harm. They advocate against docking solely for tradition or breed standards.

Is Dog Tail Docking Legal?

The legality of dog tail docking varies significantly by country and region:

In the United States, dog tail docking is legal in most states, though some cities prohibit it. There are few regulations at the federal level.
Tail docking is illegal in many European countries, including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Austria, Netherlands, Australia, and others.
In Canada, tail docking is banned nationally under the Cruelty to Animals Act unless deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian.
While outlawed in many parts of the world, tail docking remains legal in some countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.
Even where docking is illegal, enforcement and penalties vary. Some places issue fines while others refrain from prosecuting breeders and veterinarians.
Laws often exempt working dogs from docking bans or only forbid docking over a certain age. Standards often still encourage docking.
In the United States, anti-docking laws have faced legal challenges from breeders and veterinarians opposed to bans.

While tail docking remains contentious and legal in some regions, there is a clear global trend toward restricting or prohibiting docking on animal welfare grounds. However, enforcement challenges persist even where docking is technically illegal. The legal status remains complicated and ever-evolving.

Australian Shepherd Docked Tail Conclusion

Tail docking remains controversial among Australian Shepherd communities. While historically ingrained, ethical and legal concerns increasingly challenge the practice. But many champion docking to uphold breed standards and working abilities. The future trajectory is uncertain. Perhaps the breed will follow others in gradually moving away from routine docking. For the breed’s well-being, thoughtful dialogue must continue to balance ethical breeding practices, respect for history and diversity, and changing societal views on animal welfare. There are strong, nuanced cases on both sides. With open discussion, a consensus may emerge focused on Australian Shepherds thriving with natural physical traits.