Tails are not just for wagging
The majority of puppies are born with long tails and it’s rare for a puppy to be born with a short tail.
ALBERTON – Long tails are natural and dogs need their tails as it’s how they communicate with people and other dogs. A happy dog wags their tail wildly but when worried or scared they wag their tails stiffly to warn you or another dog to back off.
In addition, a tail helps a dog to balance properly.
Puppies with long tails are a lot more agile than ones with docked tails; long tailed dogs can also climb, crawl and balance easily.
Sadly, today people still want to dock tails which is where the tail is cut off when the puppy is a few days old.
Previously a vet would perform this procedure but since it’s now illegal, unscrupulous breeders will dock tails themselves. This causes untold trauma and pain to the puppy as skin, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, bone and cartilage are all cut. Additional harm can also be caused and, as a result, some puppies die of infection or severe bleeding.
As long as there are people wanting dogs with short tails, irresponsible breeders will continue this barbaric practice. Always insist on a long tailed puppy – after all, it’s how nature intended it!
*Issued by Alberton SPCA.
