Boxer dogs are a beloved breed known for their playful and energetic nature. They have a distinctive appearance that includes a short, smooth coat and a flat face.
Boxer dogs were originally bred in Germany in the late 19th century. Their ancestors were the Old English Bulldog and the now-extinct Bullenbeisser.
Boxer dogs were developed to be a working dog, specifically a guard dog and a bull-baiting dog. They were bred to be strong and agile.
For another approach, see: Why Were Boxer Dogs Bred
Why Boxers Don't Have Tails
Boxers are born with tails, but they're often docked when the puppy is between 3-5 weeks old.
This means that Boxer puppies start out with tails, but they're surgically altered to be shorter or bobbed.
Some breeders have tried to breed naturally bobbed Boxers, but those genetics often win out, and even naturally bob-tailed Boxers will often produce puppies with tails after a few generations.
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Reasons for Natural Taillessness
Boxers have been bred to be tailless for thousands of years, a result of selective breeding for desirable traits.
One reason for this selective breeding was to reduce the risk of tail injuries, which can be painful and even life-threatening for dogs.
In ancient times, dogs were often used for hunting and fighting, and a tailless breed was seen as a desirable trait for these purposes.
A genetic mutation that caused taillessness was likely introduced into the breed through the breeding process.
This mutation was likely inherited by the ancestors of modern boxers, who have retained the trait to this day.
The lack of a tail also made boxers easier to groom and maintain, as they required less attention to their coats and tails.
As a result, the tailless trait became a defining characteristic of the breed.
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Genetic Factors
Boxer puppies are born with tails, but they are docked when the puppy is between 3-5 weeks old.
Genetics play a significant role in determining a Boxer's tail length. Boxers are genetically predisposed to have tails, meaning that even naturally bobbed Boxers will often start producing tailed puppies within a few generations.
A naturally bobbed Boxer's genetics can still win out, making it challenging to breed from them.
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Docking and Legality
Boxer puppies are born with tails, but they are often docked between 3-5 weeks old. This is a common practice, but it's not universal and some countries have banned it.
In the USA, tail docking is legal in most states, but Maryland and Pennsylvania have restrictions. In Australia, dog owners caught docking their tails can be charged up to $5000 and imprisoned for up to six months. Tail docking is also banned in several other countries including Denmark, Germany, and Sweden.
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Why Boxers Get Docked
Boxers are often docked, meaning their tails are surgically altered, usually when they're between 3-5 weeks old.
This practice has been a part of the breed for so long that you might think it's a natural part of being a Boxer. However, Boxer puppies are actually born with tails.
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that since the only reason for modern tail docking in Boxers is aesthetic, there's no justification for the practice.
The American Kennel Club, on the other hand, still considers a docked tail to be the standard for the breed, which is at odds with the natural state of Boxers.
Some reputable breeders have successfully bred naturally "docked" Boxer puppies that have inherited the genetic trait, which is accepted by the Kennel Club in the UK.
The World Canine Organization (FCI) takes a different stance, stating that a naturally high set and long tail should be present in Boxers according to their breed standard.
Docking Boxers' Tails: Legality
In the United States, tail docking is legal in most states, but Maryland and Pennsylvania have restrictions. Tail docking is also allowed in Argentina, Czechia, France, India, Japan, and Mexico.
Australia has banned tail docking, and dog owners caught doing it can be charged up to $5000 and imprisoned for up to six months.
Several European countries, including Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, and Sweden, have also banned the practice.
In the United Kingdom, only working dogs and specific breeds are allowed to be docked.
Intriguing read: Boxer Dog Tail Docking
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Boxers have bones in their tails?
Yes, Boxers, like all dogs, have bones in their tails, which are made up of a string of small bones. This unique skeletal structure allows for their flexible and mobile tails.
Sources
- To Dock or Not? All About Docked Tails (whole-dog-journal.com)
- Boxer | Breeds A to Z (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Reasons for Docking Tails: Cosmetic or Medically Necessary (tier1vet.com)
- American Veterinary Medical Associationhttps://www.avma.org/about/canine-tail-docking.aspx/canine-tail-docking-faq (avma.org)
- The Boxer (barkbusters.com)
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