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Q:

Is a Doberman, with a docked tail, deprived of the full enjoyment from a tail wag upon seeing a loved one

Hey there, I am a first-time Doberman owner and have recently adopted a beautiful Doberman puppy. The breeder had the puppy's tail docked as is common for the breed. As I was playing with my puppy, I noticed that it wags its tail quite a bit when it's happy and excited. However, I also read some online articles that mentioned tail docking could deprive a dog of the full enjoyment of a tail wag upon seeing a loved one.

I was wondering if this could be true? I feel terrible if my puppy is not able to fully express itself and show its love through a tail wag. Has anyone here experienced something similar with their Doberman or any other breed? Any insights or personal experiences are welcome. Thank you in advance!

All Replies

kolby06

Hey there! I have a Doberman Pinscher who was also born with a docked tail. When I first adopted him, I was concerned about him missing out on the full enjoyment of a tail wag. However, over time, I've come to realize that my dog is still able to express himself perfectly fine without a tail.

Dobermans are known for their expressive faces and body language, so even without a tail, my dog is still able to show his excitement and love through his body movements and facial expressions. In fact, I find that his entire body wiggles when he's happy, not just his tail.

Of course, every dog is different, and your puppy may have its own way of expressing itself. However, based on my personal experience, I don't think tail docking has significantly affected my dog's ability to communicate and show affection.

ktoy

Hello there! I'm not a Doberman owner, but I am a veterinarian, and I have seen a fair share of dogs undergoing tail docking procedures. While I agree with the previous users that dogs can still be expressive and happy without their tails, I must say that from a medical standpoint, tail docking can cause complications that owners should be aware of.

For one, as others have mentioned, docking is a painful procedure that can lead to discomfort, pain, and infection. It can also negatively affect the way a dog walks, causing them to change their gait and resulting in spinal problems in some cases.

Moreover, dogs use their tails not only for communication but also for balance, and removing them can cause balance issues, especially for breeds like Dobermans that are naturally active and love to run.

In conclusion, while there are arguments for and against tail docking, I recommend pet owners to err on the side of caution and avoid the procedure whenever possible. If you adopt a dog with a docked tail, don't worry too much about their ability or inability to communicate with you – dogs are adaptable creatures and will find other ways to show their love and affection.

buster66

Hello there! I also have a Doberman Pinscher with a docked tail, and I must say that I haven't noticed any significant difference in his ability to express joy or excitement. Just like with user 1, my dog's body also wiggles in response to fun stimuli, which is just as adorable as a wagging tail.

That said, I do think that it's unfortunate that tail docking is often done as a breed standard, seeing how tails are an essential part of a dog's body language. Moreover, it's a painful procedure that can leave puppies feeling uncomfortable and in pain for a period of time.

Overall, while my Doberman doesn't seem to have trouble expressing himself despite his docked tail, I do believe that tail docking is an unnecessary practice, and it's essential for us as dog owners to question the need for such practices in our pets.

estelle19

Hello, everyone! As a current Doberman owner, I too have contemplated the effects of tail docking on my dog's happiness and ability to communicate. Although my Dobie was also born with a docked tail, I believe that this hasn't impeded his communication, because he is a well-trained dog who has learned to communicate in other ways.

While I do understand that leaving tails intact is preferable, sometimes, tail docking can be medically necessary for specific breeds. This goes for breeds like Dobermans, Boxers, and Cocker Spaniels that are susceptible to tail injuries. My Dobie, for example, is very active, and I believe that it could have suffered from tail injuries in the past if it had an un-docked tail.

Overall, I think that the decision to dock a dog's tail ultimately comes down to the owner's choices and personal circumstances. However, it's crucial to remember that all dogs have their unique way of showing affection, and a wagging tail is just one of many different ways they can do so.

kgreenfelder

Hello everyone, I have a Doberman with an undocked tail, so I thought I could provide a different perspective. While I don't know how much Dobermans with docked tails would be at a disadvantage, I must say that my dog's tail is a big part of his way of communicating with us.

It's true that dogs use their entire bodies to express themselves, but the tail is a vital part of their communication system. I can easily tell how my dog is feeling by the movement and position of his tail, and it's a big part of what makes him so expressive and lovable.

While I'm not here to judge anyone for docking their dog's tail, I do wish more people would see the value in letting dogs keep their tails. It's a natural part of their body that shouldn't be removed unless there's a medical reason to do so. In conclusion, while dogs can still be expressive and affectionate without their tails, I believe they'd appreciate the extra means of communication intact tails provide them.

vschaefer

Hi there! I too have a Doberman with an undocked tail, and I can attest to the value of keeping that tail. Not only is it a clear indicator of his mood as user 3 mentioned, but it also adds to his overall appearance.

Doberman tails are a defining feature of the breed and can make them look more elegant and sleek. It's a shame that some breeders and owners opt to remove such an essential part of their appearance, especially when there's no medical reason to justify it.

Moreover, removing a dog's tail through docking is an invasive, painful procedure that can have adverse effects on their health and wellbeing. As pet owners, it's important that we consider the impact such procedures could have on our pets, and avoid them whenever possible.

In conclusion, while it's possible for Dobermans to communicate effectively without their tails, I think they're better off with them. Tails are an integral part of their bodies and are essential for their physical and emotional wellbeing, and it's high time we took a closer look at the practices and standards that lead to unnecessary procedures like tail docking.

yemard

Hi, everyone! I have had Dobermans for years, and my current one was born with an undocked tail. Having had both docked and undocked Dobies, I can say that I much prefer them with their tails intact.

Undocked Dobermans are exceptionally graceful and smooth tail movements they make are very elegant. Their tails also help communicate their emotions more clearly and accurately. When my current Doberman is happy or excited, his tail wags back and forth rapidly, making him look even more joyful and animated.

Furthermore, I believe that Dobermans with their full tail express themselves more readily and effectively than their docked counterparts. Plus, seeing them with their tail wagging communicates an extra level of cheerfulness that is truly heartwarming.

In conclusion, while tail docking is a personal preference, I genuinely believe that it's best to leave Dobermans with their tails intact. They are loving and expressive dogs that communicate with joy, energy, and elegance, and their tails are a vital part of who they are.

carrie51

Hey guys! As a former Doberman owner and lover, I want to chime in on this discussion. While it's true that tail docking can cause some negative effects, I don't believe it's always a bad practice.

For example, some hunters prefer to dock their dogs' tails to avoid injuries in the field. Similarly, some dog breeds with thin tails, like Whippets, are more prone to injuries, and docking can help avoid issues in the future.

However, I do think that breed standards requiring docking are outdated and should be reevaluated. As a breed, Dobermans have natural tails that are an essential part of their communication system, and removing them is unnecessary and can cause both physical and emotional distress.

If you already have a dog with a docked tail, don't worry too much about how it will affect their happiness or ability to communicate – dogs are resilient animals that can adapt to new circumstances. However, if you're considering getting a new dog, I recommend looking for a breed that has an intact tail and avoiding dealing with the potential downsides of docking altogether.

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