What breeds of dogs get their tails docked?
Ava Arnold
Updated on January 12, 2026
Some dog breeds that you may see docked tails in, include: doberman pinschers, rottweilers, various spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, German shorthaired pointers, poodles, schnauzers, viszlas, Irish terriers, airedale terriers, and others.
What breed of dog gets their tail cut off?
The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Many of those are due to a gene mutation called C189G. Breeding removed their tails.Why do certain dog breeds get their tails docked?
Though docking and cropping are done mostly for appearance's sake, many owners and breeders say removing hunting and farm dogs' tails might prevent injuries during chases or herding. Others say docking keeps energetic breeds like boxers from hurting their tails by thumping them against walls or dog crates.Does it hurt to dock a dog's tail?
Tail docking is painfulAdvocates of tail docking claim that it does not cause pain or discomfort, as the nervous system of puppies is not fully developed. This is not the case; the basic nervous system of a dog is fully developed at birth. Evidence indicates that puppies have similar sensitivity to pain as adult dogs.