Yes, absolutely. Most Mini Aussies are born with long tails, later docked or shortened by a veterinarian. However, some breeders are now breeding Mini Aussies with natural or undocked tails. Many believe that Mini Aussies with natural tails are more athletic and agile than their docked counterparts.
The natural bobbed tail is a recessive gene within the Australian Shepherd dog breed genetic code. This genetic mutation curbs the tail, naturally creating a shortened tail that is only about one or two vertebrae in length.
In addition to having a genetic predisposition for heterochromia, Aussies have a one-in-five chance of being born with a naturally bobbed tail,.
A: Tailing docking is painful. The intensity or duration of the pain under ideal or typical circumstances is difficult to quantify.
The Australian Shepherd and mini Australian Shepherd both often undergo tail docking for the following reasons: It's considered a standard of the breed. An undocked tail is long, messy, and could get matted. To prevent damage from tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor dangers.
Australian Shepherd owners often get their dogs' tails docked. Why? To compete in dog shows, for aesthetic purposes, or because a shorter tail is also more hygienic. Some Australian Shepherds, however, are born without a tail (roughly one in five).
Cosmetic tail docking is cruel to puppies, and other species, especially when done without anaesthesia. Veterinary and Animal Welfare Associations in African countries should therefore move a legislative process that could lead to a ban of the procedure.
The amount of tail that is removed depends on the breed of dog. For Australian Shepherds, the most common length to dock their tails is between two and four inches (5-10 cm). This leaves enough tail for the dog to express itself, but not so much that it becomes a hazard.
So, do Aussies have tails or not? Most Australian Shepherds have their tails surgically removed at an early age. But despite popular belief, the Aussies without tails are not always docked. In fact, 1 in 5 puppies are born without a tail.
There are over 70 breeds of dog that traditionally have had their tails cut off a few days after birth. The reason some breeds and not others are docked is simply because of the fashion set for that particular breed. Each breed has an arbitrary standard for where the tail should be cut off.
“Docking's usually performed by a veterinarian or breeder without anesthesia, the rationale being that although it certainly causes pain, the puppy isn't fully alert yet and won't remember it,” says Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD, an animal welfare scientist at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Because the tail is connected by muscles and tendons and to his bum, pulling it can cause serious damage. The muscles he uses to relieve himself can be damaged if pulled too hard, which can cause constipation or loss of bowel control. Another potential problem is damage to the tail's structure causing it to sag.
Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the animal's speed, and prevent injuries when ratting, fighting, and baiting. Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic, therapeutic, cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury.
Like most dogs, the Mini Aussie does best when the weather is between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dog can still suffer from heat stroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, and hypothermia in extreme weather conditions.
When your dog licks you, he may be showing his affection, or simply because your lotion or skin tastes good. A compulsive licker may have unintentionally been taught this behavior by his owner: He learns that licking gets him attention, even if it's negative.
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
The simplest and most common method of tail docking is to apply a rubber ring (band) to the tail using an elastrator tool. Banding is a bloodless method of tail docking. The band cuts off the blood supply to the tail, and the tail falls off in 7 to 10 days. Some producers cut the “dead” tail off before it falls off.
The behavior is a good sign that your dog is happy at home, happy with you, and happy with any other pets or friends that he might encounter throughout the day. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to feel happy.
Any non-veterinarian who docks a dog's tail, or any veterinarian who docks for a reason other than the dog's welfare, is liable for prosecution. A maximum penalty of $14,375 applies for individuals and up to 5 times more for corporations. Dog tail docking is banned in all other Australian states and territories.
Tail docking should be performed on newborn puppies between 2 and 5 days old. This window is not arbitrary, rather it allows the pups to get a small foothold in life while taking advantage of an underdeveloped nervous system that tolerates such an invasive procedure in stride.
There are several breeds where puppies are born without tails. The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
While you might think that touching or grabbing onto your dog's tail is a fun way to play, your dog would sorely disagree with you. Grabbing a dog's tail—something that children are particularly tempted to do—can be very painful and terrifying for your dog.