Tail Docking Causes Communication Challenges and Pain

Tail docking handicaps dogs, robbing them of the ability to use their tails to signal their moods and intentions.

Many countries ban cosmetic tail docking, or amputation of the tail, because the risks of long-term problems are greater than any perceived cosmetic benefit. Danielle W Press/Shutterstock

Q: Our Rottweiler has a docked tail, as do many dogs in the U.S. While watching a British dog show on television, I noticed that all the show dogs had natural, undocked tails. Why?

A: Many countries ban cosmetic tail docking, or amputation of the tail, because the risks of long-term problems are greater than any perceived cosmetic benefit.