The Rottweiler is an excellent working breed, and there has long been a tradition of docking its tail so that it can perform its duties more effectively. Many Rottweilers no longer work today, but some owners still choose tail docking for appearance. Docking has both advantages and disadvantages, so each owner can decide for themselves whether their own Rottweiler should have its tail docked.
Reasons for docking a Rottweiler’s tail
When the Rottweiler is used as a working dog, the tail may be seen as less useful and, in some situations, even a hindrance. Docking was traditionally thought to improve concealment during work and help increase work quality and efficiency. In addition, when the Rottweiler works in brush, woodland, or dense environments, the tail may be easily injured and then infected, which is harmful to its health. A final traditional argument is that, without the obvious tail-tucking posture after losing a confrontation, an opponent is less able to judge whether the dog is giving up, which was believed to help strengthen the Rottweiler’s fighting ability.
How tail docking is done in a Rottweiler
From about three days to one week after birth, a rubber band can be tightly wound around the last section of the tail, and after about three days the tail tip may fall off naturally. During the period after docking, the tied area should be disinfected daily with iodine. Even after the tail drops off, there will still be a wound, so the wound must continue to be disinfected and cared for properly until it heals fully.
Is docking better or not?
As for whether docking is better than leaving the tail natural, that is really a matter of personal judgment. If the Rottweiler is being kept as a family dog or pet dog and does not need to perform hunting, fighting, or similar work, then there is no practical need for docking. Modern Rottweiler show dogs and breeding dogs also do not necessarily require tail docking. Some owners simply do not want their dog to go through unnecessary pain and therefore choose to leave the tail natural, which is also completely fine. The important thing is to be clear in your own reasoning and not be influenced blindly by outside opinions.