Why Do Dobermans Have Short Tail???

[DaringDoberman]

Just wanted to ask the question in the title! :D

[Rich S]

Dobermans are traditionally a working breed with a thin, long tail that is easily injured while working so the tail is docked. Docking is done when the dog is only 2-3 days old so their nervous system is not yet fully developed so they feel little to no pain.If you have ever seen how bad a tail injury can be, you will understand why this is better for a Doberman.

[DaringDoberman]

http://www.dog-breeds-online.com/images/doberman.jpg

[Rich S]

Great picture. With a tail, it almost doesn't look like a Doberman.

[tomc]

Louis Dobermann (the creator of the doberman) wanted the breed he developed to have stubby tails, but as with the standing ears, this didn’t work by breeding in dogs already exhibiting this trait. To achieve the short tail, Dobermann followed the example of many other German-bred dogs and docked the tail. Many breeders have carried on his tradition since then. While cosmetics are part of the reason tails are docked, there is also a medical reason. Like many other breeds whose tails are docked, dobermans have very thin, brittle tails that are prone to breaking. Enthusiastic wagging can cause painful fractures if the tail hits a hard object. Although the breaks will heal, the tail may not be straight again. Older dobermans can have arthritic tails due to breakage. Docking is a humane alternative to a lifetime of a crooked, painful tail.