I have heard a few different reasons but never a definitive answer. One reason I was told was that they pulled carts for butchers and the tails would get caught. The other reason I heard was that they were guard dogs and removing their tails was done so that it could not be used as a handhold. If either of these are true,
why do they still do it ?
2006-09-22 05:24:03 · 13 answers · asked by Bobby17543 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Rottweilers tails were cropped long before they became show dogs so don't listen to the "experts" who are blaming people who show!
Rotties are descended for a Roman "drover" type dog that was used for herding cattle. In Germany the butchers used them to help drive cattle to market, and yes they pulled carts. After the butchers sold their cattle and got paid in gold, the money was tied around the dogs' necks for safekeeping until they got home.
A lot of working dogs had their tails docked for safety reasons so the tails wouldn't get broken. Now it's habit more than anything else - but a few are leaving them natural.
2006-09-22 05:33:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Romans cropped tails because they believed it prevented rabies. In ancient Europe, if a dog was a working dog, it earned it's keep & was not taxed. The proof was shown by docking tails (Rotts herded cattle). Now it is just fashion, but some places have outlawed it & ear cropping (England & Australia). It is no longer required per the AKC for showing, but it will probably not go out of fashion for many years here.
Sometimes Rotts are born naturally tailess, too...as are some Australian Shepherds & Old English Sheepdogs. Rottweilers with tails often break & damage them (from hard wagging against furniture, etc) to the point where they need to be surgically removed later, also.
2006-09-22 05:35:37 · answer #2 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now is all about cosmetics.
That is true about them pulling carts and being guard dogs and the tail was removed for those reasons.
Many times, when they were used as guard dogs, not only were their tails cropped but their ears too, (not like the pinchers or boxers - like chopped completely off) because if they were protecting a herd or the farm, and a wolf attacked, this gave less for the wolf to grab on to and less for the farmer to mend. (Back then there were wolves all over - not so much now).
Yeah, no its just done for cosmetic reasons. The rottie with a natural tail looks similar to a labs or german shepherds tail. (Unlike the boxer and Doberman - who's tail are like whips).
2006-09-22 05:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by Krazee about my pets! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its done now purely for cosmetic reasons of the owner. It's banned in Germany and some kennel clubs over here also ban it. People have tried to justify coming up with a valid reason to still dock the tail like "it knocks things off the table" or "it gets shut in the door" and other stupid reasons, but its basically how the owner wants the dog to look. Like you I heard that originally in the old days it was removed so it wouldn't get caught in a dog-pulled cart...but haven't really found much evidence for this. You can tell I don't agree with it!
2006-09-22 05:33:02 · answer #4 · answered by favershambles 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because doogy show people are stupid. I have a rottie w/cropped tail and looked into it apparently in Germany the WORKING dogs had a problem with tails breaking, I don't believe it but that is the story, so they just cropped them pre-emtively, most people in this country would never ask so much of their Rottie that the tail would break. docking the tail is painful, there are alot of nerves in the tail and after the process the puppy losses weight for a couple of days which is not normal. Getting used to a Rot with a tail would be easy,
imagine how funny a lab would look if you docked their tail. why we don't think Rots look funny is beyond me.
2006-09-22 05:30:24 · answer #5 · answered by Sara 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why are any dog breeds tails cropped?! It is what someone once upon a time decided. Who knows the reason.
German shorthair pointers - they would still point with a full tail
Min-pins- to look like their full sized counterpart
Dobermans- could be the guard-dog thing... but why are their ears docked?
It's nonsense. Humans wouldn't give birth and then alter their babies to make them look different.
2006-09-22 05:34:18 · answer #6 · answered by Laurie D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Certain breeds are like that, the poodle, mini pincers and, This is a breeder thing, if you know what i mean, cause there all born with tails, but we have seen them with out tails for so long, we think this is normal, It gives the dog a look..
2006-09-22 05:29:14 · answer #7 · answered by patti f 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because it's a breed standard now. They can't show them without docking the tails...Stupid if you ask me..There is absolutely no reason for it anymore-it's for looks. It really should be illegal-
2006-09-22 05:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
THE MAIN AND TRUE REASON IS TO MAKE THEM LOOK FIERCE THERES NO STORIES OR MEDICAL REASONS. JUST LIKE CLIPPING EARS ON OTHER BREEDS WHICH ALSO GET THERE TAIL CROPPED FOR THE SAME REASON
2006-09-22 08:20:13 · answer #9 · answered by Jo5uE 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because they think it is cool and really a dog needs its tail for
balance true story
2006-09-22 07:38:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋