We adopted a border collie from a shelter and she only has a little nub of a tail. We have no history on her to know if it was bobbed, and no experience with them--she's our first. Are they normally born with or without tails? It doesn't matter, she's adorably cute as is, I'm just curious as to whether any breed is born that way. Thank you.
2007-12-16 02:39:16 · 7 answers · asked by ? 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Border Collies normally are not docked and have a long tail. There have been instances of dogs being born with short or stubby tails but it has been recognized as a 'lethal gene' as there is no real way to control where the defect occurs and it often can occur high up and cause caudal nerve damage so most people over the centuries that know this have not attempted to perpetuate the problem. I have seen puppies borne with short/bobbed tails in a variety of breeds but they were usually insufficiently short or problematically short. But no, BCs aren't borne without their tails any more than Dobermans or Yorkies are :) Enjoy your new companion!!
2007-12-16 02:47:45 · answer #1 · answered by Nancy M 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The only dogs I can think of that are born without a tail are the Old English Sheepdog and the Austrian Shepard.
Border Collies have tails. As has been mentioned before she could be an Aussie mix, the tail was bobbed or it is a birth defect.
Enjoy your new pup.
2007-12-16 16:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, some aussies are born with a naturally docked tail. Further, many dogs (esp. hunting a working breeds) can easily injure their tails. When this happens, it's very hard to heal, since there is little blood supply to the tail. It's hard to immobilize and bandage, and is very painful for adult dogs. Further, a breeder can't generally tell 100% which pups will be show quality when they're 2-5 days, so they dock them all. For most breeds (labs and greyhounds excluded, for example), they have little or no practical need for a tail, and it's best to dock it young to avoid injury later on. Ear cropping is a matter of preference. Done well, it's not going to make a difference to the dog one way or another. Also, floppy ears are MUCH more prone to mites and infections, so it's more hygienic to have them cropped and taped. Not one of the more important battles, IMO. I'd rather people direct their disapproval toward pet stores, BYBs and puppy mills rather than a harmless procedure like docking or cropping.
2016-04-09 06:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No border collies are born with tails. If your dog doesn't have one it was removed after birth.
2007-12-16 02:46:22 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
probably a aussi thay look like a border just different colors and thay are born with no tail may be a border aussi mix
2007-12-16 02:43:55 · answer #5 · answered by stevenzepke 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No they are not born that way
2007-12-16 02:52:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I DON'T THINK ANY BREED IS BORN WITHOUT A TAIL
2007-12-16 03:33:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋