A Tail to Tell

If you have done much research into the Miniature Australian Shepherd dog breed, you most surely know that almost all breeders will "dock" i.e. cut off their Mini Aussie puppies tails a few days after they are born. This seems to be the thing to do - everyone is doing it.

This might lead you to question whether we, at Offgrid Aussies are a reputable breeder if we do not do this. We would like to assure everyone that we understand that this 'should' be done, and also that we are fully capable of bringing in our puppies to amputate their tails if we so desired. Our decision to leave tails intact is not based on ignorance or laziness on our part as breeders.

We understand that there are many incredible Mini Aussie breeders that would disagree strongly with our position, and we respect their opinion. But the reasons given for why tails need to be docked is just not compelling to us.

Let us explain why, and while you still may disagree with our choice, we hope you will understand our reasoning. The reasons why tails are docked on Miniature Australian Shepherds are almost entirely historical in nature.

1). Cattle Farming. Australian Shepherds have been historically working cattle dogs, living on ranches. Cattle ranchers in general were concerned that their working dogs would have their tails stepped on while herding the cattle, and that the dog would be injured. It became common practice among these working cattle breed dogs, therefore, to cut the tail off when the puppies were newborn, so that they would not have a serious injury while working later in life.

Our opinion - We can see how this made sense in that time and place. However, we believe it is a very poor reason for us to continue cutting off puppy tails today. Most of our Mini Aussies will not be actively working cattle. That is simply not a situation that we face today.

2). Taxes. The story goes that since this was such an accepted practice, in certain areas taxes were due on non-working dogs, but working dogs were tax exempt. The practice was thus further established, working dogs were designated as working dogs by having their tails removed.

Our opinion - In our country there is no such tax laws in effect anymore, and the fact that they once existed in some places does not justify cutting off puppy tails.

3). The Tail is Too Fragile. If you look into tail docking you will find this idea circulating around, that Mini Aussies have to have their tail removed because it is too fragile.

-Our opinion - We believe this is a misconception - if a #2,000 cow stepped on almost anything, we might say it is fragile. But in our experience, our puppies tails are not fragile.

4). Tradition. Here is the big one today. Basically, the crux of the argument is that the tail being docked is "breed standard" for Aussies, therefore, you are not "breed standard" if you leave tails intact. And the reason why it is not "breed standard" is because everyone has always cut off the tails, because everyone has always cut off the tails, because everyone has always cut off the tails...

Our opinion - When we decided to become Mini Aussie breeders we made a pledge, along with all other reputable Mini Aussie breeders, to be committed to meeting breed standard, and to always be striving to improve the breed. The best breeders believe that we should always be striving to improve the breed and the breed standard. They do not see the breed standard as a static position, but something to be improved on. We agree wholeheartedly, and believe that one area that should be improved is the idea that tails need to be docked. We do not find the tradition argument compelling because the historical reasons no longer apply to the vast majority of Mini Aussies. Instead, we desire to be those on the frontline who are working to improve the Miniature Australian Shepherd breed. And for us, a part of that is tails.