Here Are The Short-tailed Dog Breeds

Some dog owners or breeders choose to cut their tails as a matter of aesthetics. However,  there are some breeds that are born with short tails or directly without. In this article we will tell you what they are.

What are short-tailed dog breeds?

Dogs that are born with a short tail are called “brachiuri”  (and when they do not have it they are called “anurans”). Here are some of the breeds with these characteristics:

1. Bobtail

The Old English Shepherd owes its original name to the peculiarity of being born with a very small tail. This herding and guard dog breed originates from Great Britain and is large in size. It has a thick and long coat, and can be white, black or gray in color. The Bobtail has a very nice face, and it always seems to be happy. As for its character, it is a friendly, sociable and cheerful animal.

2. English Bulldog

It is another of the dogs that are born with a short tail and, despite being small, it is curled. The Bulldog originated in the UK during the 17th century, and is one of the country’s symbols. With a stocky appearance, it has a large head, hanging lips and short hair of different colors (brindle, red, beige, white, etc).

3. Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

It is originally from Wales, where it is used as a sheepdog. Small in size, it is the oldest in Great Britain and differs from the Cardigan Corgi in its stature and tail type. The Pembroke is more robust, has a short tail and a muzzle that resembles a fox. It can have a reddish, black, beige or tan coat. He is an affectionate, intelligent animal, is a hard worker, and is perfect for living with children.

4. French Bulldog

With its bat ears, this French breed was born in the late 19th century, and is a small Molosser, although its closest relative, the English Bulldog, is descended from Mastiffs. This dog’s tail is small and slightly twisted at the end. He is sociable, playful, cheerful and sweet. In addition, he is patient and protective of children.

5. French Bracco

Also known as the Pyrenean Hound, it is one of the dogs with a short tail. It is rare that he is seen outside the borders of his country of origin, (near the Spanish borders). It is a muscular, medium-sized animal with a short muzzle, brown nose and dark eyes. The coat of the French Bracco is short and fine, white with brown spots. Gets along well with both children and other animals.

6. Boston Terrier

Native to North America, this small dog with a flattened snout and upturned ears is born with a tail and short legs. It is a breed that sheds a lot of hair, and can get dandruff if it is not bathed at least once a month. It makes an excellent companion dog, and adapts to living in an apartment.

Dogs whose tails are cut off

There are breeds whose tails are cut off as soon as they are born, mostly for aesthetic reasons.

1. Cocker Spaniel

Both English and American, (but more than anything else to the first) the tail is shortened at birth. For some breeders it is a process that gives the breed more elegance and harmony.

2. Ardennes Mountain Dog

It is a breed originating from Belgium, from the areas bordering Germany and France. Usually its tail is cut off, otherwise it is quite long. It has a coat of many different colors, a curly coat, short ears and can weigh up to 35 kg. 

3. Schipperke

This Flanders dog is similar to the Belgian Shepherd, and the custom of cutting their tail from birth comes from a legend. According to this, a specimen of Schipperke who lived with a shoemaker in Brussels won a beauty contest. One of the owners of the other participating dogs out of envy amputated his tail, leaving it severed. Despite this, the animal was even more successful during the races in which it later participated.