The Cruelty and Controversy of Rottweiler Tail Docking

As a lifelong dog lover and veterinary expert, I‘ve never understood the practice of cosmetic tail docking in certain breeds like Rottweilers. Chopping off a puppy‘s tail for fashion or breed standards seems incredibly cruel and unnecessary. Yet for decades, this has been the norm for Rottweilers, with most having their tails docked a few days after birth. If you‘re considering getting a Rottweiler puppy, please keep reading to learn the dark history of docking, the growing controversy surrounding it, and why all dog lovers should demand an end to this archaic tradition.

The Origins of Rottweiler Tail Docking

Rottweilers were originally bred in Germany as working dogs to herd livestock and pull carts. Having a tail put these dogs at risk of painful injuries while doing their jobs. A cattle hoof could easily crush a vulnerable tail bone. Long tails could also get caught in cart wheels or be bitten by livestock. So owners began docking Rottweiler tails in the 19th century as a preventative measure.

However, as Rottweilers shifted from working dogs to household companions in the 20th century, many continued to dock tails simply because it was a breed tradition, not out of necessity. For over a hundred years, a docked tail was required in the Rottweiler breed standard for dog shows. According to the American Kennel Club, Rottweilers are supposed to have tails docked short, approximately one to two vertebrae in length. Natural tails were considered a serious fault. So the majority of breeders continued to dock Rottweiler puppies a few days after birth, simply for cosmetic reasons and adherence to arbitrary standards.

What Does Docking Entail?

The tail docking procedure is quite gruesome when you examine it. A breeder or veterinarian will remove most of a puppy‘s tail when they are between 2 and 5 days old, slicing through skin, muscle, nerves, cartilage, and bone. They tightly tie a rubber band around the tail a short distance from the body to act as a tourniquet and reduce blood flow. Then the tail is quickly sliced off with surgical scissors or a scalpel. In some cases, it‘s simply twisted and torn off at the joint. The wound is stitched up or cauterized and left to heal over several weeks.

Most often, no anesthesia or pain relief is used during the procedure. This is based on an outdated and false belief that very young puppies don‘t feel much pain due to an underdeveloped nervous system. However, a 1996 study in the Veterinary Record Journal found that puppies undergoing docking did show signs of pain and distress, including vocalizing and increased heart rates. The open wound from docking can also easily get infected as it heals over several weeks, prolonging the puppy‘s suffering.

The Growing Controversy

Animal welfare organizations and many veterinarians have long argued against docking as an unnecessary and unethical cosmetic procedure. However, it wasn‘t until the late 20th century that a real movement to ban the practice took off. In 1987, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) first officially opposed ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic reasons. Then in 2008, they strengthened their stance with the following clear statement:

"The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards."

Over the past few decades, this change in veterinary stance has led to the practice being banned or restricted in many countries.

Currently, over 40 countries prohibit or significantly restrict cosmetic tail docking, unless it is medically necessary:

Data from AVMA, 2022

Sadly, the USA lags behind on curbing this cruel practice, with no federal law regulating cosmetic tail docking and the American Kennel Club still promoting docked tails in Rottweilers and over 40 other breeds as of 2023. However, the tides are slowly shifting here as well.

In 2006, the Brooklyn branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), one of the largest and most influential animal welfare organizations in the US, announced a new policy opposing the cosmetic tail docking of dogs. The ASPCA urged organized veterinary medicine and breed clubs to support eliminating cosmetic alterations from breed standards. More recently, a 2020 research study in PLoS One scientific journal found that among a survey of 810 veterinary professionals, rescue/shelter workers, breeders, and dog owners in the USA, the majority expressed an interest in eliminating or modifying breed standards that require cosmetic tail docking.

The Harm of Docking

Dogs‘ tails serve an important biological function. As Dr. Jennifer Coates, author and veterinary consultant explains, "Tails are an essential part of canine communication. A dog‘s tail helps them maintain balance, communicate with other dogs, and express emotions like fear, aggression, and excitement."

Docking a Rottweiler‘s tail can impair these key functions. You may see a docked Rottie trying to wag its stump to communicate friendliness or happiness, but the signal gets lost in translation. When meeting new dogs, a Rottweiler relies on clear tail signaling to convey if they want to play or be left alone. A natural, high, loosely wagging tail tip with a relaxed body means ‘I come in peace‘. Without a full tail, the communication is muffled, which can lead to more tense interactions or even fights if the other dog misinterprets the Rottie‘s intentions.

Docking can also contribute to physical health issues in some Rottweilers. A dog‘s tail is a continuation of its spine and contains nerves and muscle that help them balance while running and turning. Chopping it off abruptly can change the distribution of forces along the spine. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to back pain or joint issues in the legs from compensating for a missing counterbalance.

Natural Rottie Tails

Despite the long history of docking, you may spot some Rottweilers sporting full, natural tails, especially in Europe where the practice is now banned in most countries. These natural Rottie tails are quite thick at the base and can grow over a foot long, sometimes with a slight curve but never curled over the back like a husky. The tail is well-furnished with a thick, gradually tapering coat similar to the neck and hindquarters. Many natural-tailed Rotties will carry their long, plume-like tail in a slight downward saber shape when relaxed. Then they will raise it high with an enthusiastic wag to greet people and other dogs.

In my professional opinion, there is no medical, functional or ethical reason to dock a companion Rottweiler‘s tail in modern times. They aren‘t at risk of tail injuries from herding cattle or pulling carts anymore. The practice causes unnecessary acute pain, risk of infection, and lasting disadvantages in canine communication and spinal health. Most importantly, it lessens quality of life by removing an expressive appendage that helps them fully engage with their world.

Several celebrity Rottweilers have sported long, natural tails, including Roman, the Rottweiler owned by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. The couple chose not to crop their Rottweiler puppy‘s tail when they got him in 2010, and let him keep his full natural tail – a great example for other Rottie owners to follow. When searching for a Rottweiler puppy, dog lovers should absolutely seek out a responsible breeder who does not routinely dock tails. You may need to search a little harder, but an increasing number of preservation breeders are emerging who are committed to breeding Rottweilers both ethically and according to the official breed standard, without cosmetic alterations.

A Call to Action

I believe it‘s time for all Rottweiler enthusiasts, ethical breeders, and animal welfare advocates to take a united stand against cosmetic tail docking in the breed. This includes pushing kennel clubs to revise the breed standard to either allow or require natural tails in the show ring. We should also continue to educate the public on why docking is harmful and unnecessary. With our voices and our pocketbooks, we can end this practice once and for all.

Let your Rottweiler keep the tail nature intended. Let them communicate fully with a held high, unclipped tail broadcasting their zest for life. Once you see how a natural tail enhances your Rottie‘s interactions and vitality, you‘ll wonder how we ever thought cutting it off was a good idea. As a dog lover, your individual puppy purchasing decisions can make a real difference in moving the breed toward a tail-wagging future.