Boxer Tails: Are Boxers Born With Tails?

The Boxer is such an impressive dog to look at. But more and more I have noticed Boxers with tails! I always thought Boxers were born without tails, so this really got me thinking. Is the Boxer’s typical stub of a tail their natural tail? Are they born that way?

Are Boxers born with tails? Yes. Most Boxer puppies are born with tails. Most breeders, as standard procedure, have the tails of newborn puppies removed when the puppy is between 3-5 days old. This procedure is known as “docking”. There are no specific health benefits associated with the practice.  Honestly, it’s all about aesthetics – making sure the Boxer looks like a Boxer.

I was really surprised to learn this!  For some reason, I thought the short tail was a result of careful breeding and selection for the particular characteristic of the bobbed tail.There are several breeds, not just the Boxer, that have typically stubby tails. I suppose it could be pinned down to my being naive, but I just assumed these dogs were naturally this way. Some breeds, like the French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, and Welsh Corgi are born without tails.  Other breeds, including the Boxer, are known for their stubby tails but are actually born with a perfectly normal length tail.

The Great Boxer Tail Docking Debate

Docking, depending on who you ask, is either really important to the identity of the breed, or it’s unnecessary stress that breeders and owners put their animals through.

According to the AKC Breed Standard for the Boxer:

“Un undocked tail should be severely penalized”.

– AKC Boxer Breed Standard

On the other hand, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):

“If the only justification for tail docking is the owner’s aesthetic pleasure, then the procedure has no justification.”

– American Veterinary Medical Association

The AVMA officially opposes the practice of dog tail docking.

This simple question appears to be a gateway to a world of controversy between veterinary professionals and breeders.

Are There Naturally Bobtail Boxers?

Yes.  And no.

This question is surprisingly complicated!

Due to the controversy surrounding the modern “to dock” or “not to dock” debate, breeders have begun to look for a way to genetically achieve the short bobbed tail appearance so prized by breed experts. 

Back in 1992, a long-time Boxer breeder decided to breed the bobbed tailed Corgi genes into a new line of Boxers.  After a few generations, he had managed to produce a Boxer with a naturally bobbed tail.

Interestingly, he was unable to achieve consistency in the trait.

Some of the puppies were still being born with a naturally long tail.  After some genetic research, it was understood that the bob-tailed feature, for the Boxer at least, is actually a potentially fatal genetic mutation.

This means that there will never be a true line of naturally bob tailed Boxers.

There are, however, some naturally “docked” Boxers that are available from reputable breeders that carry and present this newly added genetic trait.

The Kennel Club of the UK recognizes the trait and accepts it as a variation in the official breed description, while the World Canine Organization (FCI) based out of Belgium has “low set or kink tail” as a disqualifying trait and calls for a naturally high set and long tail in their published breed standard.

Where Does the Practice of Dog Tail Docking Come From? 

Many dog breeds are known for having docked tails.  Historically, this practice was to prevent injury to working dogs.

Hunting, fighting, baiting and ratting dogs were all prone to injury while “on the job” and their owners and breeders found it a good preventative measure to just cut the tail off from the start to avoid later complications from potentially severe injuries.

It was also claimed that the practice of docking prevented rabies and improved the dog’s speed and agility.  These were very important matters to a hunting dog and his owner.  

Boxers are brachycephalic and were bred as sporting and working dogs.

They are immediately descended from the crossing of the Old English Bulldog and the Bullenbeisser. The dogs were used for:

• Hunting large prey
• As guard dogs
• For military service
• Dog fighting (unfortunately)

With traditional jobs like these, owners and breeders of the early lines of Boxers felt the necessity to dock the tail to prevent future injuries that could potentially result from the dog’s “work”.

This early practice became established as part of the breed standard and has been carried on to this day.

What are the Modern Justifications for Dog Tail Docking?

Now that most people have dogs for companionship, what justification can modern docking possibly have?

Well, as stated previously – not much.

It really all boils down to looks. Many Boxer owners state that their dogs look more fierce, intimidating and strong with the bobbed tails and cropped ears.

The AKC argues that by continuing the practice of docking, breeders and owners are respecting the original purpose of the breed.

This is true for the Boxer, which was bred as a working dog, originally trained for hunting and guarding. By docking the Boxer’s tail, the breeder and the owner are respecting the original intent and purpose of the breed.

Some people have highly trained Boxers as guard dogs.

These owners insist that the docked tail is essential to give the dog an advantage over any intruder who could potentially disable the guard dog by attacking and injuring a Boxer’s naturally long tail.  

Is Docking Considered Animal Cruelty?

Yes and no.

The answer to this question really depends on who you ask and where you live.

In some countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and many other European countries there is a complete ban on the practice of docking your dog’s tail. The practice is considered animal cruelty and can be heavily fined.

In the United States and most other countries, the practice of tail docking is completely unrestricted.

This means that the breeder can do the procedure in the home, or it can be done by a veterinary professional.

Despite being completely legal, the practice of docking is considered by the AVMA to be unnecessary and they highly oppose it as a standard practice in the maintenance of certain breeds.

Many veterinary associations have deemed it as “ethically questionable”.

The AKC, the most recognized authority on distinct dog breeds in the United States, actively promotes the practice to maintain integrity in breed standards.

At this point, at least in the US, a Boxer breeder is free to maintain the traditional practice of docking their puppies tails.

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