The Corgi is a short-legged, low-bodied, but handsome little dog. It is a small short-haired breed that gained special attention because from King Charles I in the 12th century through Queen Elizabeth II, Corgis were kept as pets of the British royal family. Many people later followed that fashion and also came to love Corgis. In truth, one reason modern people may feel especially soft-hearted about Corgis is their missing tail.
Corgis were originally born with tails. But because the tail interfered with the work they did, people began cutting it off. The job of a Corgi was to help drive sheep or cattle into market. Because the dog is so low to the ground, the tail dragged very close to the feet of the animals. A sheep stepping on it might not do much, but a cow stepping on it could easily break it. When a Corgi moved among cattle and nipped at their legs to make them move, a frightened cow could easily step on the dog's tail.
So people came up with what they saw as a practical solution: simply remove the tail that interfered with work. Later they discovered that a tailless Corgi also looked quite distinctive, and the style continued until it became what many people expect today. In reality, this is a fairly cruel custom. Losing the tail creates real inconvenience for the dog, even if the dog gradually adapts.
A dog normally uses its tail to show emotion. Wagging can show happiness, and holding it tight can show fear. Owners often rely on the tail to understand the dog's state of mind. Without a tail, that emotional expression becomes much less clear.
The tail also helps with body balance. Without it, a dog's balance is affected, even if it learns to adapt over time. The tail also helps swat away mosquitoes and insects on the body. Once it is gone, that natural ability is reduced as well.
Although people have long grown used to seeing tailless Corgis, more and more owners now reflect on how tail loss affects the dog's life. For that reason, some people are choosing to let Corgis return to their natural tailed appearance.