What do most people love most about a Corgi? For many, the answer is the rear. That rounded backside is one of the breed's signature features, and in traditional presentation it is strongly tied to tail docking. Originally, though, docking was done for work rather than beauty.
Corgi Tail Docking
Many people love Corgis because of their rounded rear and side-to-side waddle. Some people who are unfamiliar with the breed think Corgis are naturally born without tails, but in fact they are usually born with tails and those tails are later removed for various reasons.
Why Are Corgi Tails Docked?
Even though Corgis look a bit clumsy, they were originally used as cattle-herding dogs. When a cow tried to leave the group, the Corgi would rush in and nip at the animal's ankles to drive it back. Because the dog is very low to the ground and the tail is relatively long, the tail could easily be stepped on by cattle. That could injure the dog, frighten the herd, and reduce herding efficiency. For that reason, farmers eventually began cutting the tail.
Is Docking Better or Not Docking?
As times changed, the Corgi transformed from a farm dog into a household companion. Even though it no longer needed to herd cattle, the docking tradition remained. In some dog-breed standards, a Corgi is still expected to be docked, with a neat-looking cut. But if the owner has no special interest in strict appearance standards, leaving the tail natural is also completely possible. Some people specifically raise tailed Corgis now and find them just as adorable. If docking is chosen, it should be done by a professional veterinarian so that complications are minimized and the dog suffers as little as possible.