Why do GSP dogs have docked tails?

docking is a procedure in which a dog’s tail is “trimmed” to create a rounded stump. Often, the length of the tail is reduced by up to 25 percent. Docking is a common practice in working lines of dogs, including the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler.

Why do gsp dogs have docked tails?

docking is a procedure to cut off the dew-claw or “nubbin” of the tail. It’s usually performed around two weeks after birth. The dew-claw is a natural extension of the spine, which is where many dogs get injured. It also protects the tail from injuries when the dog rolls or scrapes.

Why does GSP dogs have docked tails?

For the breed, the docked tail is a legacy of working dogs. According to the breed standard, the tail should be “short, thick, and slightly curved for balance. The length of the tail should be about one-third the length of the dog from the highest point of the hip joint to the ground.” In addition, it should be thick enough to cover the genitals when the dog is in motion, as a working dog needs to conceal that part of his body from potential

Why does a GSP dog have a docked tail?

We do not know exactly how the docked tail trait began in the breed. One possibility is that it developed in Germany when the dogs were bred to work with other livestock. As a working dog, the traditional way to signal to a horse that it was calm was to lower the tail. Another idea, however, suggests that the docked tail was developed as a way to help the dog maintain balance while running.

Why does gsp dogs have docked tails?

The short answer is that docked tails are a breed-defining trait for gsp dogs. It’s a trait that has been shown to have strong genetic roots. The long answer is that it is a trait that helps show off an otherwise stocky gait, adds more power to the gait, and makes gsp dogs look more like what the breed’s founder, Judge George C. Scott, envisioned.