Tail Docking Policy

In my program, I do not dock tails. This is a deliberate and ethical choice based on both science and history, as well as my personal values regarding the welfare of the dogs I breed.

Australian Shepherd tails have traditionally been docked, and many people still repeat the idea that docking was “necessary” to prevent injury while working livestock. However, when we look at history, this reasoning doesn’t hold up well.

Border Collies—one of the world’s most iconic working herding breeds—predate Australian Shepherds and have always kept their full tails. They work both sheep and cattle, often in much more intense or demanding working conditions than Aussies historically did. Yet no one ever claimed their tails needed to be removed for safety.

If tail removal was truly necessary to prevent harm, we would see it across all herding breeds. But we don’t.

Today, the primary reason tails are still docked is cosmetic tradition—particularly because certain breed standards (including the AKC standard for Australian Shepherds) prefer a docked tail.

But “preference” is not a functional justification.

Docking involves removing part of a puppy’s spine—usually within the first few days of life. Even when done “quickly,” it is still a painful amputation performed on a neonate who cannot consent. I personally consider this practice unnecessary and outdated, and I am not willing to remove a healthy part of a puppy’s body simply to meet a visual expectation.

A tail is not decorative—it is an integral part of the dog’s anatomy. It contributes to:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Agility
• Clear body language and communication
• Tight turning ability, especially in herding, agility, and fast directional changes

Australian Shepherds are known for their athleticism, intelligence, and versatility. Removing a part of the body responsible for helping them balance and maneuver feels counter to the purpose and nature of the breed.

My focus is on producing dogs with:

• Excellent temperament
• Sound structure
• Healthy genetics
• Versatility and athletic ability
• A great partnership with their people

Docking a tail does not improve any of those things—if anything, it removes something that actively supports their movement and communication.

For these reasons, and out of respect for the puppies I raise, I do not dock tails in my breeding program.