Tail Docking ?

[Chrissy&B]

Showing Rottweilers in Europe ..... all of them with tails and you have to admit that it's a pretty sight!



Cliff von der Raspeburg

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Gempress]

I must admit, I don't really like the look of the undocked rottie. To me, a rottie tail just doesn't look right. That semi-curly/fluffy tail looks like it belongs on a different breed or something, LOL.

I can't remember where it was, but I've seen a website that compared specifically the muscular development of docked rottweilers vs. undocked rottweilers. It showed how the musculature of the hindquarters was very different between the two. It was quite interesting.

[Chrissy&B]

I guess it's all about what you're used to seeing. Here in Europe we don't dock or crop ears and most dogs we see in the show rings are `natural`. I quite frankly hardly see a docked Rottie these days and I reckon if I saw one I'd probably find it really strange!

[dr2little]

Originally Posted by Chrissy&B

I guess it's all about what you're used to seeing. Here in Europe we don't dock or crop ears and most dogs we see in the show rings are `natural`. I quite frankly hardly see a docked Rottie these days and I reckon if I saw one I'd probably find it really strange!

I wish it was the same here...someday it will be. I think that you're right too that people like what's familiar to them. While I think there's almost nothing cuter than a Rotti NUB when it makes an attempt to wag (wiggle), I too love the au natural look.

So few dogs are actually doing the work that they were bred to do. Studies show less that a small portion of 1 percent, so the arguement for docking/cropping for that purpose is pretty diluted these days.
I do understand that some people just like the look better but I'm not sure that makes it necessary. JMO of course.

EDIT - My bad, I only read the last post and responded to it..
I have Brussels Griffons and while many are still cropped and docked, too many are done at home and incorrect for the standard. Someone here still uses elastic bands and ends up with no clear "recipe".

[Char_06]

I personally think my Rotti X Alsation was docked too short...
and i think a Rotti looks amazing with a natural tail...unfortunatly my dogs breeder got to her tail before we did

[showpug]

[QUOTE=frenchboxer;479595]

Originally Posted by StillandSilent

IAlso, are any breeds natural bobtails?

The French Bulldog has a natural kind of 'bobtail'. A lot of people ask why I have had my dog's tail docked, and some don't even believe me when I tell them that it is 100% natural

English bullies are the same way

On another note, I wanted to add that some dogs like German Shorthair and Wirehair pointers are docked for their purpose...pointing at birds. Their nose points towards the bird and tail acts as a guide as well. Their whole body works together to point towards the bird and the tail length plays a role in this.

I also have to admit that I don't like the look of an undocked rottie or an uncropped dane etc.

[LizzieCollie]

Originally Posted by Char_06

I personally think my Rotti X Alsation was docked too short...
and i think a Rotti looks amazing with a natural tail...unfortunatly my dogs breeder got to her tail before we did

I wonder why some "breeders" choose to dock mixed breeds?

Originally Posted by LizzieCollie

I wonder why some "breeders" choose to dock mixed breeds?

I'm not sure. My rottie cross was docked, even though I didn't want her to be, but that's the way it goes.

I can understand with the litter my pup came from, they all looked like rotties.

[otch1]

Hoping to answer the original question, the length of a dock was determined by breed and use of the dog. Ratters owners needing a handle to grab after flushing vermine, but not wanting a natural tail that might tangle in bramble or get caught up. Bullbaiting dogs and fighting dogs having as much of the tail and ear taken off as possible so that there were no "handles' for another dog or prey to get ahold of or tear off. The length of these crops/dockings has gotten longer today, i.e. the Boxer or Doberman, simply because they're no longer used for their intended purpose, but the crops/docking, continued to be done for cosmetic purposes. There's nothing formidable about a big hound like Dobie with floppy ears and a long wagging tail. So for now... the lengths are determined more for esthetics than functionality.