Short tail vs Long tail in an Aussie |Life With Aspen|

Aussies may have short or long tails. There are some out there that have a natural "bobbed" tail, but the majority of short tails are docked.

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[Xitchee]

In Norway docking has been illegal since 1988. Over here, if you want to show your dogs, it has to have the tail it was born with. I’t illegal to show dogs with docked tails, or ears. I’m so happy about that.

[TheNavaronegun]

Thanks! When we got Bijou at 8 Weeks, her tail was not docked. And I am glad, actually. The Aussie tail is an elegant peacock of a tail!

[Ewesheepster]

Dockng is for looks/style; not practical reasons. Never saw a border collie with a docked tail, so why an Aussie? In the Mini American Shepherd standard, tails are allowed although not preferred. I wish docking was illegal over here.

[walkinthepark]

We've had Aussies since I was young and (almost) all were either docked or naturally bobbed. We have one right now that was a rescue and he was never docked - I will admit that his tail is glorious and absolutely beautiful, but I do see the benefits to docking in the breed, especially if they work livestock (like ours typically do, as we have cattle).

[hiimsamara]

The pup I'm getting already has his tail docked so I didn't have a say it in if I had the choice I would have not gotten his tail docked

[haley]

My Australian Shepherd, Jackson, has his tail and I think it's gorgeous. He's a Red Bicolor so it looks like a foxes tail. On the other foot, I have a Doberman who's tail is docked. Both of them are rescues and 'pure bred', and they're both gorgeous in their own way. Aspen is beautiful, by the way!

[karolinekohorselover]

I think that a long tail is better but aspen is still the same cute !

[Agileaussies]

The original breed standard called for a full tail but was changed to make the breed look more uniform as 20% of Aussies are born with a NBT of varying lengths, the sport of dog agility really gave the trend towards not docking a boost as having a full tail is an advantage with balance especially in turning and powering thru the weaves, also dogs with docked tails can't compete internationally as it is banned in most countries so anyone with dreams of making a World Team with an Aussie can't have one that's been docked. Having both docked and full tailed Aussies I do see the tail as a marked advantage for a performance dog as well as an aid in communicating with other dogs. I am also a dairy farmer and don't see the tail getting stepped on as an issue. Border collies aren't docked.I do know of several Aussies with tails docked too short that have trouble pooping completely.

[brentholladay]

Unless you’re Aussie is an actual work dog, there’s no reason to remove the tail. I rarely see an Aussie’s tail docked outside of shape and cattle hurting.
The only reason to Dockham is so they won’t get broken.
I love my Aussie’s tail, because like a horses ears, her tail gives me a clear sign of if emotion.

[kendrarichins]

I feel like it isn't as important for docking their tails if they aren't a working dog but if they are it is important! They will get stepped on, I've seen a dogs tail get stepped on by a cow and pulled off! Lucky for me my aussie's tail is a natural dock.

[j.t.thomas]

In Australian Shepherds, a docked tail identifies them as a working dog, and as such, are not required or subject to licensing requirements. Dew claws are removed at the same time. No anesthesia, no antibiotic, and no sutures... the mother will clean the wound. A little traumatic, but the wounds heal very quickly, along with the umbilical cord. They are very young when this is done, usually within a week of being born, sometimes within a day, and they have no memory of the procedure later.

[Ewesheepster]

I wish I could add a picture here; my boy has his tail ... you can view a video of him. His tail curls over his back so it is out of the way. It will be interesting to see how this is received in the conformation ring. I'm guessing not positively, but I'll probably test it out after Jack fills out a bit.

[Kikkipewpew]

All my aussies had full tail. In my country it is forbidden by law to dock the tail and I'm really happy about it.

Why dock a tail from a dog when it can be born with bob tail naturally ?

And I have never heard of an aussie that got injured in their tail while herding cattle over here.
And they still have their tails fine. Border Collies that are used for herding is still having their tails and never got them injured in their job.

And about the pooping area. My dogs has never had poop in their tail only in the fur on the back legs if they where sick.

And no one of all the aussies I have met under my years with them has had any poop problems on their tails.

But on the fur of the back legs it is possible, and to avoid that you can cut a bit around that area. I did it and had never problem with poop in the fur.

The only reason that a dog to day got freely docked is for beauty.

I'm really happy that docking is forbidden over here. You can only dock a dog if they got injured and it's necessary .

[oceana]

I know you posted this video awhile ago, but i have a question. Can Australian Shepherds be born with a naturally short/no tail?

[mintymento]

And it’s good it’s docked bc I show him the AKC thing is just yeah

[emmartin]

I adopted an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. She has a 4-5 inch tail and is a black sable color; One ear is up, the other variably floppy or erect. I consider her an exciting mix - part guard dog, part comedienne ! And, of course, she is the most beautiful dog in my world! IMO - dogs should never be docked. Love them as nature intended them to be!

[godblesstheshepherds]

I knew all about the tails. but thank you for the video, very helpful😊 My Aussie Dixie had her tail docked when she was a pup, but honestly, I love Aussies with no tails, they're not called wiggle butts for nothing and I love when the little nub wags. In my opinion, I like the no tail, everyone has they're opinion, but the no tail is the cutest thing ever to me.

[terriavery]

ausies have beautiful tails, helps with balance

[ratskullz_x]

They look so much better with a tail 😢 same with dobermans look so much better without cropped ears

[raniat]

My Aussie was born without a tail. Only 2 of his litter mates had tails.