Think my new sheltie is docked

maggiesmom · May 20, 2011

We just got a new lady who is a sweetie, we got her from petland she had been there since she was a puppy and was 5 months. Her tail is really short and stubby i assume they docked it any idea why they would do this??? thanks.

Justicemom · May 20, 2011

Could be just a short tail. I have seen quite a few really short tails especially in sables. I have also seen a sheltie born without a tail, it was a blue..

ClantyreSheltie · May 20, 2011

More likely a birth injury.

Caro · May 21, 2011

Deska has a shorter tail, he was just born that way. Now he has a full coat it isnt really noticeable, except when he stands next to Tully with her long tail.

PreciousSheltie · May 21, 2011

Perhaps you could share a photo with us when you had time so those with shelties with short tailed shelties could see if its 'short' or truly docked? It'd be quite sad to think they might have docked her tail...

Caro · May 21, 2011

Here's a pic of Deska's tail at 4mths

http://www.sheltieforums.com/album.php?albumid=133&pictureid=1537

When he was younger I had several breeders ask me if he had an injury to his tail. Nowadays his tail is more like a plume, but like I said the tail fur makes it unnoticeable.

PreciousSheltie · May 21, 2011

Thank you for the photo!! Just from what I've seen with dogs and docked tails, I think it DOES look more like a 'short' tail! Definitely not the regular length in a sheltie.. Perhaps you could ask your vet if its due to a health defect/ if its going to affect your sheltie in a bad way. If not... I think its safe to say at least someone didn't dock the tail

maggiesmom · May 21, 2011

Thanks everyone i will try and get a pic! I just thought they all had long tails :smile2:

she has her vet appt today so i will ask.

chase's dad · May 22, 2011

Hey you stole my dog That's a dead ringer for Chase.... :lol:

The tail is the only difference.

Caro · May 22, 2011

If Chase grows up like Deska you are going to have one really fluffy sheltie! I always thought I wanted a sable with a blaze but the full sable head with the white ruff looks gorgeous.

Maggiesmum - when they grow their adult fur it adds 2inches or more to the length of their tail, that's why they look so long. Tully had a long tail from birth and its actually a bit of a pain because she can't carry it down as the fur is so long it drags on the ground and she steps on it if she walks backward.