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Writer's pictureRusty Rose Ranch

"But tails are against the breed standard!!!"

It never ceases to amaze me the number of loud people on the internet who can't read a breed standard but can certainly *write* well enough to insult those of us who leave tails by claiming we are disreputable and disrespecting the standard.


For all those anti-tail people out there screaming about all reputable breeders dock because “docking is the breed standard!”, you need to read this blog. You shouldn’t talk about breed standards if you don’t even know what they *say*. At most, docking is *preferred*. That’s it. That’s what the breed standard says. Preferred. And that’s not even every registry!


There is no registry in which minis must be docked to show or be championed. It is often noted as “traditionally docked” and in some registries, docked is “preferred”. It is never *required* in either Mini Aussies or their AKC/UKC equivalent of Miniature American Shepherd.


AKC MAS standard: Tail - A docked or natural bobtail is PREFERRED. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated.


ASDR Aussie standard which includes minis:

-An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail.

-Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobbed or docked. We do allow non docked dogs to accomodate our foreign breeders, as some countries do not allow docking of tails. We also recognize that some people choose not to dock for personal reasons.


UKC MAS standard:

-The tail is traditionally docked, or a natural bob tail.

-docked or natural bob tail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail, when at rest, may hang in a slight curve. When excited, or in motion, the tail may be carried raised, with the curve accentuated.

-The docking of tails and cropping of ears in America is legal and remains a personal choice. However, as an international registry, the United Kennel Club is aware that the practices of cropping and docking have been forbidden in some countries. In light of these developments, the United Kennel Club feels that no dog in any UKC event, including conformation, shall be penalized for a full tail or natural ears.


Canadian Kennel Club MAS stand:

Tail A docked tail is straight, not to exceed 7.5 cm (3”). The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. A natural bobtail also permitted. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curved accentuated


FCI MAS standard: TAIL: A docked or natural bobtail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches (in countries where it is not forbidden bylaw).The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated.


MASCA breed standard: Tail: A docked or natural bobtail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated.

Note I have not included ASCA. ASCA adamantly denies that minis are a part of the Australian shepherd breed, so their standard is irrelevant.


Learn to read people....docked tails are a PREFERENCE!!!!! They are not required.




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