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A Tale of a Tail

© Wendy Smith

Note: This is not an article about whether or not tail docking is ethical. That is not a can of worms that I really feel like opening at the moment. This article merely looks at the possible history of the practice.

Over the years, I've noticed questions that are commonly asked whenever someone has met one of my Rottweilers. What's her name? How much does she weigh? Does she eat a lot? Those are the main ones.

However, when I'm dealing with someone not very familiar with the breed, there is another question that often comes up, as well.

"What happened to her tail?"

When I explain that Rottweilers usually have their tails docked when they are only a few days old, the person usually follows with another question.

"Why?"

So that's the question we'll look this month: why do Rottweilers have docked tails?

In the case of the Rottweiler, I've found a couple of theories as to why the practice originally started.

First off, there is the guard dog theory. According to this theory, tails of guard dogs were commonly docked to make the dog look more fierce and so that robbers would not have a handhold. The fear was that burglars working in teams would break in. One would grab the dog by the tail and hold it while his partner either finished incapacitating the restrained dog or quickly grabbed what valuables they could. This theory is also used in explaining why Dobermans also have their tails docked.

Personally, I have several problems with this theory. First off, I can understand that the docked tail might give the dog a more business like, or "fierce" appearance. However, it would take one very brave, or very stupid, burglar to grab a guard dog by the tail. Rottweilers and Dobermans are both extremely, powerful and agile dogs. First the attacker would have to actually get close enough to tightly grab the dog. Then he would have to hold the powerful, thrashing animal.

And even then, I still have a hard time believing that the dog could not angle around and get within striking range of some body part or another. I tested that theory with my tailed mixed breed, Dingo, by grabbing him close to the base of his tail in play. He had no trouble twisting around touching his nose to my wrist.

As far as Rottweilers in particular go, there is another problem with this theory. Unlike Dobermans, the main function of the Rottweiler was not originally as a guard dog. Yes, they do have a strong guardian instinct. However, the breed's main function for most of its existence has been as a cattle drover or general farm dog. Rottweilers did not make a name for themselves as guard/police dogs until the early 20th century. However, even the earliest standard of the breed called for a docked tail.