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Hold onto your hats because we’re about to dive deep into the world of Corgi tails. Most people know and love these short-legged, poofy pups, but have you ever wondered why some of them have a nub while others have a wag-worthy tail?
All Corgis have tails. Some Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be born with natural bobtails however this trait does not occur in every dog and some Pembroke Welsh Corgis tails are docked for aesthetic purposes, mainly due to a breed standard. On the flip side, Cardigan Welsh Corgis have a long low tail with a fox-like brush. Let’s take a dive into this topic!
Two Different Breeds of Corgi Dogs
Before you decide to live with a Corgi, you should know that there are two separate breeds of Corgis to choose from: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. The Cardigan Corgis are the oldest breed, their origins are traced back to Celtic tribes who brought them to Wales. This breed is descended from the German Teckel lineage just like the Dachshund.
The Pembroke descended from the Nordic Spitz breeds and were brought into Wales by Vikings, roughly 2,200 years after the appearance of the Cargidans on the island.
All Cardigan Corgis are born with tails and usually get to keep them intact as their breed standard allows it.
On the flip side, some of the Pembroke Welsh Corgis are born with natural bobtails, the length of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi bobbed tail is variable; some of them may be born with nearly full-length tails while others may have virtually no tail. Since the breed is standard for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi calls for no tail, those born with a longer tail are usually docked.
So, Which One Has a Long Tail?
If you see a Corgi with a proud, fluffy, substantial tail, then chances are you’re looking at a Cardigan. Here’s the situation: Cardigan Corgis usually maintain their tails, but Pembroke Corgis often have them cut off. Only a percentage of Pembroke Corgis have naturally occurring bob tails, the rest will likely get them docked—or shortened via amputation—at around 3 days old.
The Natural Bobtail
Naturally occurring bobtails are the result of a genetic mutation in the T-box transcription factor T gene. This trait is inherited in an autosomal dominant way, meaning that if a puppy has one copy of this mutated gene and one normal gene in a chromosome pair (N/BT) the puppy will be born with a shortened tail.
It is all good until this point, right? The problem begins when you mate two dogs with naturally occurring bobtails (N/BT) mating with another (N/BT) will result in the following mathematical probability:
- 50% of the offspring will inherit natural bobtails and have (N/BT) genotype.
- Approximately 25% of the offspring will not inherit the mutation and will not have a natural bobtail the genotype inherited is (N/N).
- Lastly, 25% of the offspring will inherit a (BT/BT) genotype and most of those die in utero since this is an embryonic lethal genotype. If a puppy with (BT/BT) genotype is born, they will have extreme deformities that are incompatible with life, so will die shortly after birth.
This is all based on genetical theory, based on mathematical predictions, numbers, and probability, however recent studies performed by geneticists in Norway have concluded that there is a possibility that these numbers are off and that the percentage of puppies born with defects are considerably lower, suggesting that the lethality of the gene is more likely to affect eggs before they even turn into embryos.
The Practice of Docking Tails
Docking is a process in which the tail of a puppy is removed shortly after birth to make them look more “cosmetically pleasing”. That said, not all Corgis will have their tails docked, as this ultimately depends on the owner. Let us break it down for you.
The controversial practice of tail docking is believed to have started in Britain due to a tax exemption for working dogs. Originally, Corgi pups were bred as cattle herding dogs. Back in the day, farmers thought it best that Corgis didn’t have their tails getting in the way—there was a risk of the dogs getting pinned down under thundering cattle hooves. Then add in the tax exception, and the practice got normalized and abused. Docking Corgis born with long tails became the norm. And then came the kennel clubs and their standards. Long story short, tail docking became so widespread that many are unaware that certain dog breeds are born with a tail. But nobody is really using a Corgi to round up cattle these days, there is also no tax exception for them!
Docking tails is all about a look. But is this practice humane? Although some American breeders maintain that “puppies don’t feel pain at 3 days old,” in the United Kingdom and Europe, they recognize this as being untrue, and it’s illegal to dock Corgi tails there. So, it’s clear the debate is legit—and raging on.
Pain Is Pain
This claim that newborn puppies don’t feel pain is false, according to the experts at the American Veterinary Medical Association. Getting your Corgi’s tail docked is not just a little bit of pain for them; it can be life-altering. And honestly, it’s hard to even measure just how much suffering we’re talking about here.
But here’s the real kicker: If you’re getting this done to your pup when they’re super young, it can affect their nervous system in a major way, and that can lead to all sorts of problems down the road when it comes to how they feel and perceive pain in later life. This means it might be safer to avoid docking your Corgi’s tail.
It’s Showtime!
What does the AKC standard have to say about the Pembroke’s tail in the breed standard? They don’t pull their punches. The AKC often encourages owners to cut the tail without “indenting.” This means cutting off the tail as aggressively as possible without making it shorter than the protrusion of the dog’s hind legs. Anything over 2 inches in a fully grown dog is considered a no-go—aesthetically speaking.
The reason? They say a longer tail messes up the overall shape of the dog’s back. So, this has nothing to do with function and everything to do with form.
Summary
To sum up, all Corgis have tails, some have natural bobtails. However, because many Corgis have their tails docked, it seems like they are all butt and no tail. While both Cardigans and some Pembrokes are born with tails and supposed to live out their lives with tails, there’s a lot of debate over whether docking Pembroke Corgis’ tails is humane or not. Some breeders still argue that it causes the pup no pain, despite vets telling them differently.
But if you’re just looking for a cute little furball to make your forever BFF, you can totally skip the docking surgery and the unnecessary puppy pain.
Featured Image Credit: Natalia Fedosova, Shutterstock
