rottweiler tail docking?

Question

as a rottweiler owner,i have mixed views about the banning of tail docking,as i think the popularity of the breed will now suffer,if you are rottweiler owner or boxer owner what are your views

Answer 1

The issue of banning docking/cropping is a hot one. It seems that the animal rights fanatics won the battle in the foreign countries where it is now illegal. The fact is that the Rottweiler breed standard calls for a docked tail. The tail on makes the croup appear too rounded and does affect the gait of the dog. It's not just a matter of appearance, it has an effect on movement and structure as well.
If people start succombing to the animal rightists in this country, the Rottweiler as it is supposed to be, will be no more. Properly done, docking the tail is not a big issue...like I said PROPERLY done...when the puppies are several days old.

My opinion is probably not the popular one on this forum, but as someone who has dedicated the past 15 years of their life to this breed, it sickens me. As it does the majority of responsible breeders and judges of this breed in this country.

As to popularity: When I started in this breed, Rottweilers were among the top 10 registered breeds with the AKC. Having that status is NOT A GOOD THING FOR THE BREED! I'm thankful that we have seen a dramatic decrease in the number of registrations and are now not among the top registered breeds. Tail docking or not will not have an influence on popularity whatsoever (no matter what breed we are talking about)....

Answer 2

Oh gees..... No such thing as a "Roman Rottweiler"... yes the bloodlines can vary and in doing so dogs can take on a slighly different look. As for guarding your house then first of all you are getting a puppy. Any guarding instincts shouldn't kick in for at least the first year. Secondly if those instincts are not nurtured properly then you can have a big problem. As for tail docking, what are you saying that the breeder will dock or not depending on the new owners decision. If this is the case then you have to pick your pup within two days, or rather the breeder will have to pick your pup as she wouldn't allow you near them in that time. A breeder hasn't got a clue about the personality of each pup at that age, and you can't even go by the biggest and the smallest as they don't always stay that way. You certainly get no idea of temperaments either at that age. Once the dog is with you at 8 weeks then it is too late to decide anyway as the dog would need an actual amputation and vets wouldn't do that unless necessary.

Answer 3

In a way I think the ban may be a good thing as it may sort out the people who really love the breed from the people who want a macho dog. I think it may help the Rottie having a tail so it can be seen wagging it and look less scary to people who are afraid of them. All three of mine are docked but I will certainly have one with a tail. I dont think docking was cruel but I am not that bothered by the ban. I know some people who dont like tails on Rotts and some who dont care. I think in a good few years we'll look back in amusement and say"Remember when they didnt have tails" We will just get used to it!

Answer 4

I'm going to be unpopular I know but I've always thought tail-docking was totally unnecessary and cruel! You don't see the largest breeds with docked tails, so saying it's a size issue is just an excuse.
I've known two boxers, one docked, one not. Both were beautiful dogs and the tailed dog to me looked better. I think Rottweillers look better with tails too.
I'm sure once people get used to it and the docked dogs become rarer at shows like Crufts people will accept it.
Dogs use their tails as a big part of their body language, so docking the tail can and does cause problems.
My uncle had a collie when I was young who lost his tail in a farm accident and the other dogs were more aggressive to him afterwards!
If the dog is worked it may need a docked tail and this is taken into consideration in the new laws in the UK, but lets be honest here, how many dogs are worked where tails are a disadvantage?

Answer 5

Good question. I too have mixed views. I have a rottie with a tail and it's amazing how the weight of a long tail throws off the balance of the whole dog. Rotties are supposed to be more muscular in the front but my dog is about even on both ends. So banning tail docking would require changes in the breed standard.

I think tail docking is comparable to removal of dew claws. It's not necessary but can prevent injury in the long run. Like Labradors are a risk of getting their dewclaws caught in the reeds underwater while getting a duck, a rottweiler's tail can be injured or even accidentally amputated herding cattle or pulling a dog cart as they were originally bred to do. I cart with my rottie so the shafts I use are extra long so his tail doesn't get run over by accident. He usually carries it curled over his back but when he carries it down, about 3 inches of it can drag on the ground.

Answer 6

The docking of any breed was banned here about 10 years ago and it hasn't made any of the breed less popular. On the contrary the attitudes towards rottweilers and dobermanns particularily have been more positive since. It has helped to shed the "killer dog" image a bit. The dogs seem to enjoy their lives wagging away as well. I always thought docking was unnecessary and cruel anyways and I'm glad that it's banned by law and the dogs docked now won't be allowed in the register.

Answer 7

As an owner of Australian Shepherds I understand your concerns about the entire issue of altering a dogs appearences to conform to a breed standard. I understand that in many countries the breed registry allows the dog to be either way. I think its a personal preference and shouldn't be legislated. The breed clubs in the US should allow a breeder his or her own choice. I for one prefer the old way and think a Doberman or Boxer appears odd if its not cropped or docked. Long tailed Aussies would be more of a grooming nightmare if their tails remained whole. Being a working breed in the field that extra hair isnt a "plus". The Aussies can be born with a natural bobbed tail so tailed pups are docked to retain that breed standard.

Answer 8

personally i don't agree with the docking of tails unless the dog is used for working purposes.Dogs have tails for a reason, the main one being communication, they have to work so much harder to communicate when they have docked tails with both humans and other dogs. I know plenty of rottweilers, boxers and other breeds that normally have docked tails but don't and they haven't suffered in anyway because they have a tail so why have it removed just for aesthetic reasons.

Answer 9

i think the ban will bring a decline in specific breeds ,which were previously docked.As a boxer owner i prefer the dock,but would still have one with a tail as its the breed i love,not the lack of tail.A lot of breeders have also stopped breeding ,due to the ban,this i cant understand,as they are supposed to do it for the passion of the breed.

Answer 10

I have heard many people say that they think a boxer or a rottie with a tail looks rediculous like the person above. How can you say that? They're first and foremost DOGS. You are only seeing them as a breed -boxers and rotties- that you want to 'perfect' physically. They are not sculptures that you can clip and crop to make right. They are living animals that need a tail as part of their communication and balance. If we've bred them to be unbalanced with a tail then the past breeding at fault, not the dog, or the law.
If you truly loved dogs for what they are you would want to see them with tail, the way they're born.You wouldn't chop bits off your baby would you- to make it look right!? So how can you say you truly 'love' the breed or 'love' dogs if that 'love' is only aesthetic? And the only way to make them right in your eyes is to mutilate them and deprive them of an important part of their body, and the natural behaviour associated with it? If the popularity of rotties wanes because of docking I think a) this will only be temporary because people will soon get used to seeing them tails, and b) its a good thing if people only out for a dog that gives them street-cred or mere aesthetic pleasure, instead of a happy, wagging tail and the REALITY of a dog, will be put off. Perhaps in a few years when new generations have grown up with dogs with tails and ears intact, people won't turn to dogs as a fashion accessory and only real dog people- those who truly understand and appreciate dogs for what they naturally are will acquire them- some hope, I know.