If It Ain’t Broke… The Tale of the Tails

Why I Keep Straight Tails

One question I occasionally receive is why I leave tails natural instead of docking them shortly after birth.

The answer is simple: I do not believe in removing a healthy, functional body part without a medical reason to do so.

Tails Serve a Purpose

A dog's tail is much more than a cosmetic feature.

Tails play an important role in balance, particularly when a dog is running, turning, or changing direction quickly. They also serve as one of the primary ways dogs communicate with both people and other dogs.

Through tail position and movement, dogs express excitement, confidence, uncertainty, stress, friendliness, and countless other emotions.

When a puppy is born with a healthy, straight tail, I believe that tail deserves to remain intact.

A Story That Has Stayed With Me

Several years ago, I was contacted by a family who had purchased a puppy from another breeder.

The puppy's tail had been docked shortly after birth, and complications allegedly resulted in nerve damage affecting the muscles responsible for bowel control.

The family spent months trying to manage the condition. Despite veterinary care and their best efforts, the puppy struggled with continual fecal incontinence and a significantly reduced quality of life. Ultimately, they made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize the puppy at only six months of age.

Is this a common outcome? No. Most tail docking procedures do not result in complications this severe. However, the story has always stayed with me because it reinforced a question I was already asking: If a puppy is born with a healthy, straight tail, what benefit is gained by removing it?

Every procedure carries some level of risk, even when that risk is small. When there is no medical reason to intervene, I struggle to justify accepting that risk.

What the Breed Standard Says

Another reason I am comfortable leaving tails natural is that the Olde English Bulldogge standard does not require docking.

In fact, the standard calls for a pump-handle tail, with a docked tail being acceptable.

That distinction matters.

A docked tail is allowed, but it is not required. Unlike some breeds where docking is deeply tied to the breed standard, the Olde English Bulldogge standard recognizes and accepts a natural tail. It is actually stated as being “preferred”.

Because of that, I see no reason to remove a healthy, straight tail simply for cosmetic reasons.

My Exception

Although I leave tails natural, there is one exception.

If a puppy is born with a significant tail kink or defect that is likely to cause hygiene issues, chronic irritation, recurring infections, discomfort, or other medical concerns later in life, I will dock the tail. That is why you will see both here at Sokota Bulldogges.

Function Over Cosmetics

My breeding program is built around health, temperament, structure, and functionality. Cosmetic preferences will always be secondary to what is best for the dog.

At the end of the day, my goal is not to produce dogs that simply look a certain way. My goal is to produce healthy, sound dogs no matter the tail style.

Kayce Lessman

Owner of Sokota Bulldogges