The Australian Shepherd is one dog breed of many that gets its tail docked. This involves using surgery or tightly constricting the tail to get it to about four inches total. In doing so, your animal could compete in dog shows, as it meets breed standards.
In the case of the Australian Shepherd pup, tail docking is a procedure that benefits the life of the dog. A shorter tail prevents potential breaking later in life and ensures a cleaner and more sanitary lifestyle for the dog and its owner.
Many Have Naturally Short Tails
In addition to having a genetic predisposition for heterochromia, Aussies have a one-in-five chance of being born with a naturally bobbed tail. Ranchers purposely bred Aussies that had these naturally short tails because they are safer when it comes to herding.
Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
The universal sign of a happy dog is a happily wagging tail. When your Australian Shepherd is happy, he shakes his whole rear end side to side. This incredibly endearing trait is nearly universal across all Australian Shepherds, regardless of their tail type.
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
Australian Shepherds wiggle their bodies as a way to show their excitement or happiness for something. If you see an Australian Shepherd wiggling their bodies, they are likely attempting to show you that they are happy and excited about something going on.
However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) maintain that tail docking is painful and may negatively affect the development of a puppy's vulnerable nervous system. Additionally, poorly performed docking can lead to chronic pain.
The Aussie's desire to cuddle
Dogs in general are known for being happy, cuddly, sweet, and soothing for a human to pet. Some breeds are, by nature, more affectionate than others. While the Aussie will typically reserve cuddling for one person or a group of trusted people, sometimes he won't want to cuddle at all.
Cost of Caudectomy in Dogs
Generally, it runs from $10 to $20 per animal. This procedure is paired with the dog's first check-up, which can cost up to $100. If the dog is older, the cost is greatly increased. This is because general anesthesia must be used to perform the caudectomy.
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.
Aussies are best suited for families with an active lifestyle and a large fenced yard. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and have an average life span of 12-13 years.
A: Some commentators consider a long tail to be a potential hazard for some breeds of working dogs. For example, it has been suggested that: A guard dog could be seized by the tail to thwart its attack. Hunting dogs, such as pointers, may damage their tail tip in underbrush.
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.
Complications - As with any surgical procedure, there is potential for complications, such as excessive bleeding, infection, delayed healing and necrosis. Neuromas, which have been associated with chronic pain, may develop, but their incidence and persistence is not known.
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.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
Laying on their back while getting some shut-eye helps dogs cool off. Unlike people who sweat to control their body temperature, dogs perspire through the pads of their feet.
These may include acute pain associated with the docking procedure, the possibility of chronic (long-term) pain in the tail stump, reduced ability of the cow to use its tail for communication and other normal functions, and altered ability of the cow to avoid flies.
“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).
The dead portion of the tail usually falls off about three days later. This can be likened to slamming your finger in a car door and leaving it there. Puppies undergoing any method of tail-docking squeal and cry, yet advocates assert that the newborn pup's nervous system is unable to feel the pain.
According to the Monash study, Australia's proximity to the equator, the high sun exposure and generally clear atmospheric conditions mean that people living here can experience higher levels of UV exposure and longer wavelength radiation than those in Europe and North America.
Why Are Shepherds So Anxious? Herding dogs, especially the Australian Shepherd, have an instinct to herd and are more prone to anxiety if they cannot corral those in their care. As your shepherd cares so much about you, she may feel severe separation anxiety when you leave the house, and they are completely alone.
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.