Historically, it was common for many puppies to have tail docking surgery. This procedure, which shortens the tail, typically happens in the first week of a puppy’s life.
Tail docking was then considered a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood of injuries, says Dr Georgina Ushi, a veterinarian in Tampa Bay, Florida. The practice is illegal in the UK, which considers it mutilation in most circumstances. It is only allowable for medical reasons or under strict exemptions for certain breeds of working dogs.
It’s a painful procedure that can carry serious consequences and is an operation that should only ever be performed by a vet under anaesthetic.
“Some veterinarians and breeders will place a ligature (like a rubber band) to cut off blood supply to the tail until it naturally falls off, usually within a few days,” Dr Ushi explains. More commonly, the tail is cut with a surgical instrument and closed with stitches, tissue glue, or left to heal naturally.
Current research suggests this procedure is unnecessary, and ethical concerns around tail docking—even under legal exemptions—continue to grow. The British Veterinary Association says: “Evidence indicates that it inflicts significant pain on puppies and deprives dogs of an important form of canine expression in future life.”
And, sadly, illegal tail docking does happen in the UK, inflicting cruel and unnecessary pain and suffering on dogs.
Historical Reasons for Tail Docking
Tail docking is usually reserved for dogs with jobs, like Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Rottweilers, Cocker Spaniels, and Schnauzers.
The practice of tail docking is centuries old, and some historical records suggest dogs in ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian civilisations had their tails docked. The various historical reasons for this procedure include:
- Health misconceptions. People once believed sheepdogs’ long tails would get in the way of their ability to smell when they curled up to sleep. In Rome, people believed removing the tail (and part of the tongue) would keep a dog from getting rabies.
- Tax avoidance. In England, people docked their dogs’ tails to avoid a non-working dog tax.
- Injury prevention. Docking may reduce tail injuries during hunting and work in dense vegetation.
- Household safety. Some believe docking prevents injuries caused by wagging and smacking into household objects. But one study found that dogs only have about a 0.23% risk of tail injuries from things like whacking their tail on household items or getting their tail caught in a door. And research published by Vet Record found that about 500 dogs would need to have their tails docked to prevent just one injury.
- Improved hygiene. Some supporters of docking say the practice can reduce the risk of poop sticking to your dog.
- Aesthetics and tradition. Tail docking is traditionally an aesthetic breed standard for many dogs. The Kennel Club does not allow dogs with docked tails to enter the show ring unless the procedure has been certified by a vet under the strict rules of exemption.
Tail docking isn’t always a pet parent’s choice. Ushi says many breeders will dock a puppy’s tail before selling them. This is sadly common in backyard breeding.
How Is Selective Breeding Different From Docking?
Selective breeding is the practice of breeding dogs to produce puppies with specific traits. Some dogs have been selectively bred to have a bobbed tail. Puppies who have at least one of these breeds as a parent are more likely to have a naturally short tail.
The 20 dog breeds carrying the bobtail gene include:
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd
- Austrian Pinscher
- Bourbonnais Pointer (Braque du Bourbonnais)
- Brazilian Terrier
- Brittany Spaniel
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Croatian Sheepdog
- Danish/Swedish Farmdog
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Karelian Bear Dog
- McNab
- Mudi
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog
- Pyrenean Shepherd
- Savoy Sheepdog
- Schipperke
- Spanish Water Dog
- Swedish Vallhund
People have selectively bred dogs to get low-shedding dogs for people with allergies and birding dogs who excel in hunting. But sometimes, exaggerating physical features through breeding can lead to negative health consequences, like gene mutations that affect a dog’s health.
Is Tail Docking Ethical?
Many organisations oppose tail docking for cosmetic reasons due to the lack of proven health benefits and the potential for pain and suffering during the procedure and recovery. These include:
- Animal Humane Society (AHS)
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
- British Veterinary Association
“It’s controversial because anaesthesia is rarely used in puppies for this procedure due to their young age. There are also not a lot of options for pain control in young puppies except for a local anesthetic,” explains Dr Dwight Alleyne, a veterinarian at PetFolk and JustAnswer companion animal expert.
Many countries, including most of the European Union, Australia, Iceland, and Norway, among others, have banned or heavily restricted tail docking for cosmetic reasons.
The United States has yet to follow these examples, however. Only Pennsylvania and Maryland have restrictions on tail docking, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes stricter regulations.
Dr Ushi says, however, that some vets and vet students refuse to learn or perform certain cosmetic procedures like tail docking.
Docking vs. tail amputation
Tail amputation, also known as caudectomy, is the surgical removal of part or all of a dog’s tail by a licensed vet.
“There are definitely medical reasons to amputate tails,” says Dr Katie Kangas, veterinarian and founder of The Pet Wellness Academy. Some of these reasons include:
- severe injury
- disease, such as cancerous growths
- Congenital malformations like an ingrown tail (also called screw-tail or corkscrew tail)
This surgery is only performed when medically necessary, under anaesthesia, by a licensed vet.
Ways to Advocate Against Tail Docking
Dr Ushi shares a few steps that can promote responsible breeding practices and the wellbeing of dogs historically subjected to tail docking:
- Education and awareness. Learn about tail docking procedures, ethical concerns, and the potential impact on dogs’ wellbeing. Talk about the issue with breeders, pet parents, and the general public. If you’re considering purchasing a dog from a breeder, ask about their tail docking policy and whether you can opt out of the procedure for your puppy.
- Breed standards reform. Advocate for revisions to breed standards that prioritise a dog’s health and welfare over their cosmetic appearance. Encourage breed clubs and organisations to adopt standards that allow natural tails and discourage or ban tail docking.
- Legislative advocacy. Support legislation and regulation that restricts or prohibits tail docking.
Dogs Tails Are Essential for Bonding
A dog’s tail is essential because they help dogs communicate. And as an extension of the spine, a dog’s tail can help with a dogs balance. Tails also come in handy for swatting away pests.
“Dogs show their emotions and intentions through tail wagging and how their tail is positioned (up, down, or arched),” Dr Ushi confirms. Dogs who don’t have tails can still communicate through other forms of body language, like ear position, facial expressions, and posture. Some tailless dogs also ‘wag’ their rear ends to communicate.
