If you have observed closely, you may have noticed that most Dobermans either have no visible tail or only a very short tail stump. This is because the Doberman usually undergoes tail docking while still a puppy. Originally, docking was done for working reasons, because a tailless Doberman was thought to perform better in fighting, guarding, and similar jobs. Today, the procedure is more often done for appearance.
Why are Dobermans docked?
The Doberman was historically used as a military dog, police dog, hunting dog, and even a combat dog. Removing the tail was thought to prevent the tail from becoming an easy target or weak point in a fight. In addition, if the tail is left intact, it may reveal the dog’s emotions and reduce working efficiency. Another traditional belief is that once the tail is removed, the dog can no longer show obvious submissive tail language, which was thought to help encourage a brave and fierce working temperament. Many people also simply believe that a docked Doberman looks more powerful and more attractive.
Tail-docking method for the Doberman
For the Doberman, docking is generally recommended within one to seven days after birth, because the bones are still soft and the damage to the puppy is somewhat less. The tools used for docking should be disinfected carefully. A rubber band is commonly tied at the chosen docking position until the tail tissue dies and falls off. If there is heavy bleeding after docking, hemostatic forceps may be needed, together with proper disinfection and wound care. If the dog is already older but docking is still being considered, the owner should understand the structure of the tail vertebrae and make the cut at the proper joint. No matter the age of the dog, there is always some risk of infection.
Today, most people keep Dobermans as pets or family dogs rather than for hunting or fighting work, so docking is no longer truly necessary. In most cases, tail docking is now done mainly to satisfy people’s aesthetic preferences. Many owners feel that docking is too bloody or cruel and therefore choose not to do it, which is also completely reasonable. A dog with a natural tail can in fact express its emotions more clearly.