Rottie registrations falling Discussions

How long you been keeping Rotties ?

The Roman Legions were docking them before Christ was born, they were used as war dogs so the enemy could'nt grab the tail and swing the dog.

Herr Louis Doberman was a tax collector and he adopted the docking idea too probably for the same reasons.

Docking's been going on for years, it's called Tradition, like marriage, however I see nowadays that tradition has stopped too.

yes but it's the 21st century now..........time for change, i think.........besides they were born with a tail & we dont swing them round anymore do we as we are more civilized nowadays..........well some of us are anyway.

Rottalma, I'm really pleased to see a long established breeder that can see the positives of leaving the tails on, its really refreshing! My oldest rott's breeder said she would stop breeding if the ban came into force (this was 10 years ago though) which is an idea I just can't understand. I love rotts for their loyalty, their eagerness to please, their loving personalities and the fact that they make great family pets - with or without tails a rott is still a rott.

Having said that and even as someone who is totally anti-docking, having seen the dobes with tails at Crufts today they do look out of balance as they are so, so thin (the tails not the dogs!) and its the same with boxers but I think the rott tails are fab, big and fat and very waggy - just as a tail should be. Hopefully as more and more dogs are left with tails intact the size and shape of the tail will be taken into account when choosing dogs for breeding so that the tail appearance can be improved.

Annette,
It's bad enough waking up to a big Rottie bum in your face in the morning, but a bushy tail too, ...Arrrgh.

Hopefully as more and more dogs are left with tails intact the size and shape of the tail will be taken into account when choosing dogs for breeding so that the tail appearance can be improved.

How about bobbed tail selectivity, will that appeal to everyone.

I think it will only help to improve the perception of rotts if people see them with wagging tails

Well, as I said before, I've had my day, I've owned Rotties, Dobes and a Newfoundland, (just in case folks think I don't like dogs with tails) ;-)

Remember, it's the dog that wags the tail not the other way around.

I entirely disagree that the docking ban has spoiled the breed.

Whilst some could call me a hypocrite as aesthetically I do like the docked look of the dog. I also very much like seeing them wagging their tails!! It absolutely would have no sway over me whatsoever in whether to buy another Rott or not - they are still Rotts, just with more tail!!!

I can see the advantages too for the general public. Most people look to see if a dogs tail is wagging to see if it is friendly or not. I've often had to point to Marius wee wiggling stump to show folks how friendly the big lump is!! If they could see a vigorous wagging tail, people would probably be less scared of him.

As for the 'reasoning' behind why they were docked as a breed, it is completely irrelevant. We don't live in Roman times, they are not going into battle or having to guard cattle (and the farmers purse) from thieves etc etc. They simply were docked for show purposes, because they always have been, it was a cosmetic preference for many years.

I embrace the change and really enjoy seeing them tail and all

How long have I been in Rotts? Long enough thank you ;-) Have had dogs all my life though.

Yes the Romans did dock, and I agree with you, however, we don't crucify anymore either

As for tradition - don't make me laugh!!! It is barbaric and inhumane, oh and btw my hubby and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary this year

Just because something is 'traditional' doesn't make it a great idea. Women were traditionally second class citizens but I wouldn't want to go back to how things have been in the past.

I'm not married, by the way and my partner and I have two kids. Does that make me a bad person for not following tradition?

SORRY but those that say they wont have a "breed" anymore because they dont like them with a tail on didn't like the breed in the 1st place...........nothing about their traits has changed they are still the same dog...................i would never go back to docking iff the ban was reversed, i love the tails

Hi all,

Just out of curiosity;

How is gundogs getting hurt in the field if their tails are not docked?

And how do we know romans docked their dogs?

To me it seems impossible to believe this was because the enemy should not be able to swing a (appr. 50 kgs) moloss dog by the tail??

It took me a while to get used to it also, but Tikka has her tail and i really do like it. When out and about many comment how her tail makes her look less 'devil dog' but for me she is balanced better and seems to use it when running bout mad when cornering and so. For some it may take longer than others to get used to it, I for one was stumped when walkers changed cheese & onion to a blue pack!

SORRY ! .. and so you should be making a remark like that to me, I own 4 Rotties at the moment, we lost our old Rottie 4 years ago last week, she was 14 years old, a record age for a Rottie so our vet said.

They are NOT the same dogs IMO, another poster on this thread said the same about Dobes, however, my argument is not because they look nicer without tails, it's because they can't do the jobs they were intended to do if their tails are intact.

This applies to other breeds too, the ban on dew claw removal also affects them as well.

But they arent flushing dog nero.

How does a tail and dew claw impair protection work?

I dont think dew claw removal is illegal?

Removal of dew claws in Scotland IS illegal, .. crazy innit. :-(

IMO they are a better dog with a tail, after 30 years in this I have now docked and tailed dogs, My tailed boy is far more agile than any of the docked boys, he is far more balanced and corners on a sixpence. He matches the Cattle Dogs stride for stride He is not the leaner type he is a big boned Rotties so I amazed how quick he his. In 30 years I have never seen a dog move like he can. Others folk with tailed dogs have also found this to be true.

Interesting to know.

What about my questions re rottie tails and working, as youv'e lost me on that one

I bet the tailed dogs are better swimmers to,

As I can see you have owned rotties a long time. So have I. It's almost 30 yrs now since I got my first wee lass. And its almost 20 yrs now since they banned docking in my country.

Even if you hate the thought of it as much as I did - you will love your dog with a tail you know. I have found these tailed rotties to be the same great dogs I loved, only more so...