Are Corgis Born With Tails? A Tail of Two Breeds

Are Corgis born with tails? Let’s dive into the adorable world of Corgis and their wagging tails. Imagine a Cardigan Corgi strutting with a long, majestic tail, and then a Pembroke Corgi rocking the tailless look. It’s a cute puzzle that we’ll unravel together, exploring the tales behind their tails, the historical twists, and the ongoing discussions about making Corgis look a certain way.

Tails and Tricks: Cardigan vs. Pembroke

Firstly, Cardigan Corgis have long tails, while Pembrokes start with a full-length tail. Wait, what? Yes, many Pembrokes are born with tails, but in places like the U.S. and Canada, they often get a little trim – a process known as tail docking – to fit a certain “ideal” look.

Trimming Tails: Why and How

Why do Pembrokes get a little trim? It’s like a doggy fashion statement to match a set of rules called the breed standard. This rule book says Pembrokes should have short tails, but not too short. Occasionally, a pup is born with a natural bobtail, which is totally fine. The tail docking happens when the pups are super tiny, around 1-5 days old, to keep things looking neat and tidy.

Digging into History: Where Did Tail Docking Start?

Now, let’s time-travel a bit. Back in the day, people really wanted tailless Corgi puppies to keep things consistent. But nature had other plans, and most litters ended up with more tails than expected. To keep things looking uniform, tail docking became the go-to solution.

Is Tail Docking OK?

Here’s where humans disagree. Some say it’s fine, like the American Kennel Club (AKC), claiming it doesn’t hurt because it happens when the pups are tiny. Others say it’s not cool, arguing that puppies can feel pain and that tails are essential for dogs to communicate. The debate is like a tennis match, with one side saying it’s for the best, and the other side saying it’s just not right.

Tiny Tails and Nature’s Surprises: Bobtails!

Now, let’s talk about nature’s surprises: bobtails! Some Corgis are born with short tails or even no tails at all because of a special gene. But guess what? Very few Pembrokes with bobtails meet the breed standard for tail length. Most short-tailed cuties have had a little help – a trim here and there.

Genetic Puzzle: How Do Bobtails Happen?

Behind the scenes, there’s a genetic puzzle at play. The gene responsible for bobtails is like a magic trick – one copy makes a bobtail, but two copies mean trouble for the little pup. If a pup gets two copies, it won’t make it to being a full-grown dog.

Wagging Goodbye

And that, my friend, is the tale of Corgi tails. Whether it’s a Cardigan flaunting its long tail or a Pembroke rocking a bob, each wag tells a story of breed standards, attempts at making Corgis look the same, and the ongoing chatter about what’s best for our furry friends. Next time you see a Corgi wagging its tail, remember, it’s not just a tail – it’s a little piece of doggy history and a whole lot of charm.