Therapy Dogs

Australian Shepherds are often used as therapy dogs. Their intelligence, trainability, and strong bond with humans make them well-suited for this role. They can provide emotional support, assist individuals with disabilities, and help in settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Their energetic and affectionate nature also helps create positive interactions with those they assist.

A therapy dog’s human partner can notice a slight change in tail height, allowing them to quickly understand when the dog is struggling and provide immediate support. Additionally, a tail wagging to the right typically indicates positive feelings, while a leftward wag may suggest caution or discomfort. A tucked tail often signifies fear. Without a tail, it becomes more challenging for a handler to interpret their dog’s emotions, which can lead to the dog experiencing significant stress before the handler recognizes and addresses it. Lacking subtle communication, a fearful dog may escalate their signals, which can include growling or snapping.

Communication 

Australian Shepherds are known for their strong communication skills, both with humans and other dogs. Most dominantly, they use body language. Aussies use their posture, tail position, and facial expressions to convey emotions. For example, a wagging tail usually indicates excitement, while a lowered tail can signal submission or fear. There’s a reason Aussies are nicknamed “wiggle butts.” “It’s a common behavior, especially among Australian Shepherds, where the whole body wags along with the tail. This expression of joy often signifies friendliness, eagerness, and a desire to interact.

Essentially, dog's tail is much more than an aesthetic feature; it's a vital tool for communication. Dogs use their tails to express a range of emotions and intentions, and by docking the tail, we're effectively removing an important part of their "vocabulary," which can lead to misunderstandings both with other dogs and with humans.

Research shows that dogs with docked tails have a harder time communicating with other dogs. This can lead to social misunderstandings, potentially escalating into aggression when clearer communication could have prevented the issue. In addition, this can also hinder bonding with their owner, who may struggle to understand the dog’s intentions and communication. One study found that dogs with shorter tails were approached more cautiously by other dogs, indicating that the missing tail signals might make other dogs unsure of their intentions. Anecdotally, breeders and owners who keep tails notice a striking and positive difference with socialization. 

Another study specifically examined how docked and undocked tails affect dog aggression and found that docking increases the risk of aggressive encounters. Without the full range of tail movements, a docked dog may send mixed signals, resulting in confusion, frustration, or misinterpretation during interactions with new dogs.

These findings emphasize the critical role a tail plays in a dog’s social life, reinforcing the decision to keep tails intact for clearer communication and healthier social interactions. This is particularly important for dogs whose roles involve frequent contact with unfamiliar dogs, such as service dogs in public settings or therapy dogs during group visits.

Athleticism and Show

A dog's tail is not just for signaling; it plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and coordination. The tail helps dogs adjust their center of gravity, making movements smoother and reducing the risk of falls or injuries during high-speed activities. Moreover, tails are essential for swimming, as dogs use them as a rudder to steer through water. It stands to reason that Aussies with tails will perform better in agility, FastCAT, dock diving, and other performance sports than their tailless counterparts. I encourage everyone to watch slow motion videos of dogs doing weave poles, so you can see how much they use their tails.

In light of contemporary views on dog welfare, it is important to note that there has been a shift toward registries that accept full tails which reflects a broader understanding of what contributes to a dog’s overall well-being.

Breed standards in regard to tails are as follows:

• ASCA - Tail should be straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four inches in length. This is an identifying characteristic of the breed.

• AKC - Tail docked or naturally bobbed and no longer than four inches in length. The tail should not be so long that it affects the dog's balance.

• Canadian Kennel Club - Tail docked, naturally bobbed, or natural length

• FCI - Tail is naturally bobbed or natural full length 

• UKC - Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.

• ASDR - Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobbed, or docked. We do allow non-docked dogs to accommodate our foreign breeders, as some countries do not allow the docking of tails. We also recognize that some people choose not to dock for personal reasons.

Showing requires extensive grooming, but for Australian Shepherds with tails, the grooming needs are minimal. In fact, the head and forelegs are often the most challenging areas to maintain. However, a few strokes with a slicker brush on each side once or twice a week is enough to keep their beautiful tails looking great. In addition, an experienced groomer can easily groom the tail to meet show standards.

It is worth noting that maintaining intact tails may affect show results under certain judges, but it’s encouraging that other organizations value the health and natural appearance of the breed. Ultimately, promoting the beauty and functionality of Australian Shepherds with full tails can help change perceptions and contribute to more humane practices in the long run.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard for Australian Shepherds specifies that the tail “should” be docked or naturally bobbed. “Fault” and “disqualification” (DQ) are distinct in breed standards. Given that no specific language addresses faults related to tail length or the acceptable length of a natural bobtail (NBT), it can be interpreted as a trait unique to the breed but not mandatory. This suggests that while an NBT is recognized, it shouldn’t be considered a requirement for breed standards.

We strongly believe that prioritizing tradition over a dog’s well-being is a choice that must be reevaluated universally. If short tails are desired, breeders should focus on responsible breeding for that trait. With that said, natural bobtails in Australian Shepherds are a genetic option, but advocating for surgical intervention based on outdated standards is not acceptable. In my opinion, cutting off a tail that an animal is born with does not improve the genetics of the breed; the tail already existed.

Do puppies feel pain?

There's a common misconception that docking a tail in a young puppy is a quick, painless procedure. Current research disproves this. "...in an article published in the Australian Veterinary Journal, anatomical studies demonstrate that pain in day-old puppies would be actually more than in an adult dog due to the way impulses are sent through the puppy's unmyelinated fibers. - Adrienne Faracelli, CPDT-KA, Dip CBST (Read her whole article, cited below, for even more compelling citations.)

But even this doesn't tell the whole story. There are two methods by which tails are docked. One is surgical, where a blade slices through skin, muscle, connective tissue, and sometimes bone. This is done without anesthesia. Proponents argue that puppies don't cry long, but scientists suggest that remaining quiet is a survival mechanism, not an absence of pain.

The second method is "banding," where a tight band is applied to restrict blood flow, causing the living tissue to die and the tail to fall off after weeks. One veterinarian likened this to"...slamming your finger in a car door... and leaving it there." This method is inescapably painful and prone to infection, especially since the procedure happens within a few days of birth, while the mother dog is still licking the pups to stimulate elimination.

In both types of docking, as the nerves heal, they can form painful nerve tumors called neuromas that cause lifelong discomfort. This condition, known as hyperalgesia, makes the tail stump incredibly sensitive. Imagine chronic, sharp pain that flares up whenever someone touches you. 

Additionally, other studies have now found that newborn puppies have MORE neurological transmitters than adult dogs and humans and, therefore, likely can feel more pain, not less. 

That's the reality for many docked dogs. Some dogs with docked tails show signs of chronic pain by spinning, biting at their tail stumps, or displaying other discomfort-related behaviors. Docking isn't just about immediate pain; it's about a lifetime of potential suffering.

** We have spoken with many vet techs and veterinarians and we have personally observed the puppy’s pain during docking, watched many videos on cutting and banding. Every one of them expressed their disdain for tail docking, describing the screaming and blood as horrific and completely unnecessary.