Dogs with Short Tails: Learn 4 Things about It

The dogs with short tails is a genetic trait found in certain breeds. In fact, it is very common among several different breeds. There are even breeds where every single member of the breed has a short tail. However, there are still breeds that have shorter tails than others. For example, the American Pitbull Terrier and the Boxer both have very short tails compared to other breeds like the German Shepard or the Golden Retriever.

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Natural Bobtail

A natural bobtail is an abnormal growth of hair on the dog’s tail. Natural bobtails are caused by mutations in the gene responsible for the normal development of the tail.

The genes for the shortened tail are dominant; i.e., if both parents carry the mutation it will show up in all offspring. If only one parent carries the mutation, the trait will be expressed in half of the offspring. If neither parent carries the mutation, there will be no affected offspring.

According to UC Davis, mating between two N/BT dog breeds produces 50% of puppies with natural tails, 25% of puppies with tails longer than average, and 25% of puppies without tails.

Natural bobtails occur naturally in dogs, usually in certain breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Bull Terriers, and Boxers. However, because of legislation restricting or prohibiting docking, natural bobtails have become popular among the dog fancy for many traditionally docked breeds, including Boxers, American Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Mastiffs, Chows, Dalmatians, Shih Tzus, and Dachshunds.

The Origin of Cause

According to Hytonen et al. 2009 as quoted from Genomia, the mutation in T-gene is responsible for the short-tail phenotype in these breeds.

If the tail is shortened because of a recessive mutation, the trait will not express itself unless both parents carry the mutation. In such cases the length of the tail will depend on how many copies of the mutant allele each parent carries.

Types of Dogs with Short Tails

The short tail dog is one breed that people love because it seems like the perfect pet. They’re cute, loyal and friendly. However, there are actually several different types of short tail dogs. There are those that are genetically born with a short tail, and others that had their tails docked early in life. Let’s take a look at each type of short tail dog.

Genetically Born as Dogs with Short Tails

These dogs have been bred over generations to have shorter tails than normal, and they’ve become quite popular among dog owners. Most of these dogs have very small tails that hang down almost to their hocks.

Dogs with Short Tails because Breeds

English Bulldog – The English bulldog is a large breed of dog that originated in England. Although they have a reputation for being stubborn, they make great pets. Their short tail makes them easier to house-train than larger breeds.

Australian Shepherd – The Australian shepherd is a medium-sized working dog that originated in Australia. They are good watchdogs and excellent herders. Because of their size, they require plenty of exercises.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – The Cavalier king Charles spaniel is a small breed of dog that originated from France. They are intelligent, playful, and active. They are known for having a sweet temperament and making wonderful family companions.

How Dogs with Short Tails Communicate

A dog with a long tail tends to have better social skills than a dogs with a short tails. This is because a long tail is easier to move quickly and easily. When a dog feels comfortable with another dog, he will often wag his tail.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs with Short Tails

Dogs with short tails are cute, aren’t they? They look adorable running around or playing fetch. But did you know that dogs with short tails are at risk of developing hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition where the ball joint (the socket) of the hip becomes dislocated from its normal position. This causes pain and stiffness in the hips. The condition affects both large and small breeds of dog.

Dogs with short tails are prone to develop hip dysplasia because their legs are too long compared to their bodies. If left untreated, the condition can cause permanent damage to the joints.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you have a dog with a short tail, you should definitely take care of him/her. Short-tailed dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, which means their hips will eventually become deformed and painful. This condition is treatable, but only if caught early enough. Make sure you give your dog regular exercise and proper nutrition, and you’ll be able to enjoy many years together.

If you have other information, experience, or any thoughts, just tell us in a comment section!