In this post, we’ll explore the weird reason Australian shepherds have no tail and look at the genetics behind it. We’ll also take a look at the statistics of bobbed tails in Australian shepherds and discuss why breeders cut tails instead.
Finally, we’ll give you a few tips on how to deal with tailless Australian shepherd puppies and ensure they grow into healthy bobbed tails.
Are Australian Shepherds Born Without Tails?
Australian Shepherds are also born without a tail. This is a result of a genetic mutation that occurred a long time ago.
Some breeders choose to breed a tailless Australian Shepherd with a dog that already has a tail, in order to create a dog with a tail that is shorter and sprightlier.
But, whether a tailless Australian Shepherd is born this way or not, it’s still a breed of dog with unique characteristics and a lot of personality.
Australian Shepherds are known for their strong protective instincts, as well as their intelligence and agility.
Australian Shepherd Genetics: What Creates the Natural Bobbed Tail?
This breed of dog is one of the few that doesn’t have a traditional tail, due to selective breeding over time. The bobbed tail is a trait that was created by selective breeding, and it’s not clear why it was lost in some parts of Australia. However, it seems that it may have had something to do with the breed’s tail.
Statistics of Bobtailed Australian Shepherds
Bobtailed Australian shepherds are a breed of dog that has lost its tail due to a genetic mutation. Statistics show that this mutation is relatively rare, with a population of bobtailed Australian shepherds numbering around 1,000 worldwide.
Despite their rarity, bobtail Australian shepherds are still thriving in popularity with pet owners around the world. For a breed that is often mistaken for a dog with a disability, the bobtail Australian shepherd is a dog that stands out.
According to an ASHGI data survey in 2010, roughly 47% of all naturally bobtailed Aussies have tails a quarter length or longer. In addition, 10% of these bobtailed dogs had a kink in their tails (an unnatural curved tail).
Why Do Most Aussies Not Have Tails?
Australian Shepherds were selectively bred for working cattle, and their tails were eliminated as a waste product. This is why most Aussies don’t have tails – the breed standard for Australian Shepherds doesn’t require them to have them.
Some modern Aussie breeds still don’t have tails, but this isn’t always true – some strains of the AKC standard have tail sets that can be up to 18 inches long! Some people choose not to have their dogs cut their tails because they feel it’s disrespectful to the dog’s heritage.
Other owners find that having a shorter tail eliminates many potential issues with dirt, mud, and grass buildup in the fur behind the tailpipe.
Why Breeders Cut Tails Instead
Australian shepherds originally had a tail that had a specific function. Breeding programs today often choose to cut the tails of these dogs because they find them more behaved and easier to train.
Some people believe that a tailless Australian shepherd is an infringement on the dog’s heritage, but the breed is still popular and in demand.
Conclusion
Australian Shepherds are a breed of dog that is known for their bobbed tail. However, this trait is not a natural one – in fact, it was a result of breeding for tail length.
While most Australian Shepherds do not have tails, a small percentage of the breed does have bobbed tails. Why breeders choose to cut a dog’s tail rather than allow it to naturally grow is unknown, but it seems to be a popular choice among dog breeders.
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