About Those Bobtails:
The 'wiggle butt' (stub tail) is an important Aussie characteristic. Despite beliefs that all Aussies are born without tails or even that natural stub tails do not exist, puppies can be born with long tails, half tails, or no tail. If tails are not of the correct length, they are removed. The procedure, called "docking", is usually performed shortly after a puppy's birth.
The 'wiggle butt' (stub tail) is an important Aussie characteristic. Despite beliefs that all Aussies are born without tails or even that natural stub tails do not exist, puppies can be born with long tails, half tails, or no tail. If tails are not of the correct length, they are removed. The procedure, called "docking", is usually performed shortly after a puppy's birth.
Dew Claws:
In the past, we have always had our puppies' dew claws removed. However, after doing some research we have discovered that not only are dews helpful to the dog in performance activities (herding, agility, etc), removal can cause premature arthritis of the carpus (wrist), especially in performance/working dogs. To further explain this, check out a detailed and informative article called 'With A Flick of the Wrist' by Chris Zink, DVM, PhD
Occasionally we have puppies born with rear dew claws, and as these are unnecessary and often not formed properly we still have them done. However, our puppies' front dews will be left intact.
In the past, we have always had our puppies' dew claws removed. However, after doing some research we have discovered that not only are dews helpful to the dog in performance activities (herding, agility, etc), removal can cause premature arthritis of the carpus (wrist), especially in performance/working dogs. To further explain this, check out a detailed and informative article called 'With A Flick of the Wrist' by Chris Zink, DVM, PhD
Occasionally we have puppies born with rear dew claws, and as these are unnecessary and often not formed properly we still have them done. However, our puppies' front dews will be left intact.
