Cosmetics is the most common reason for docking tails. A docked tail became a breed standard for one historical reason or another and makes the dog recognizable as that breed. For instance, many people generally consider long-tailed rottweilers to look like a mixed breed and may not know what to make of a long-tailed vizsla or cocker spaniel. Although rooted in necessity historically, nowadays, this procedure is often only a cosmetic procedure. As a result, many groups advocate for its ban. Furthermore, many veterinarians have discontinued the practice because of ethical implications. Many countries have already banned the practice. Even several US states have imposed restrictions on the procedure unless the amputation is medically necessary.
Tails are part of our dogs; they use them to express themselves! Tails help with balance (especially in athletic maneuvers) and can even aid in directing a dog in the water like a sort of rudder. Dogs with docked tails get along just fine, but whether elective docking or medically necessary amputation, it’s best to be informed. There are still many breeds all over the world who have their tails docked and many veterinarians willing to do it with as little pain and risk as possible. There is a need for it in many cases and a great desire for it in others. Regardless, your vet or the vets here at Tier 1 VMC can help you navigate the waters. Just open the lines of communication.
The bottom line is that it’s a surgery. It’s less painful, and the recovery is faster when the puppies are young (days old) before the tissues have fully calcified, but it’s still a surgery. There are still veterinarians willing to perform this surgery, including here at Tier 1 VMC. However, the pros and cons should be weighed before pursuing this proccedure.
Dr. Paige Wallace is the Urgent Care Coordinator at Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center. Born and raised right here in the Mat-Su Valley, Dr. Wallace received her education and veterinary training through her service in the United States Army. She served as a Captain with the 218th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support, under the 62nd Medical Brigade. Dr. Wallace has extensive experience treating trauma cases in remote areas and with limited resources, bringing a wealth of knowledge and think-on-your-feet experience to the Tier 1 VMC team.
The blood supply to the end of the tail is not as liberal as other tissues, and it doesn’t have the best capability for collateral (alternative routes of) circulation like many other tissues. As a result, these injuries tend not to heal well. Veterinarians have adapted all manners of oddball bandaging to cushion the tail from further blows while it’s trying to heal. But any bandage is difficult to keep on, especially given the motion at the tip of the tail and the likelihood to be chewed.
Socialization Difficulties
Along with oral communication (barking, grunting, groaning), the dog is able to send messages to their peers using tail movement, which transmits key information for a dog seeking to socialize with other dogs (19, 20, 21).
A dogs tail motion and positioning indicate to other dogs whether the tail owner is friendly, or fearful, or playful, and their state of aggression, submission or dominance (22, 23).
Canines without a tail are at a social disadvantage, and it has been studied that they can exhibit compensatory behaviors, such as the movement of their rear and being able to generate “misunderstanding” with other animals of the same breed.
Studies also show that dogs with docked tails tend to be more aggressive (22, 24).
Dogs on the receiving end are also at a disadvantage here, because they cant properly understand the signals from a tail-docked dog (20).
It also affects a dogs communication with humans.
For example, children may be afraid of dogs without a tail because they associate a “tail wagging” movement with the animal being happy, and the absence of it might be interpreted as the animal being angry.
Pain
One of the main arguments against dog tail docking is that it can be associated with the development of neuromas and chronic pain, which will affect the dog’s behavior, and it may increase pain sensitivity in some animals.
Any surgical procedure performed on dogs should guarantee the absence of pain, but this isnt always the case with tail docking.
While theres very little research in exactly how much pain dog tail docking causes to canines specifically – and due to dropping popularity of this procedure, were unlikely to see any studies – there are some papers suggesting increased stress in dogs due to rise in cortisol and increased heart rate (2).
A study observing 50 dogs saw the animals shrieking and whimpering for 30 minutes during tail cutting, indicating pain (10).
Moreover, research with other animals with docked tails do in fact show pain and suffering.
For example, three studies with calves, piglets and lambs demonstrated how tail docking caused them distress and acute pain (11, 12, 13).