Page 103 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

In the 1960s and 1970s the docked-tail option Doing your homework, doing your testing and
surfaced as there was empirical “evidence” that being a concerned, nice person will not prevent you
breeding natural bob tails to natural bob tails (NBT from the realities and the heartbreak of breeding
to NBT) might produce birth deformities such as dogs with defects or health issues.
spina bifida (a shortening of the spine). To this day
no clear scientific evidence or study proves this. As It was not until the 1975 revision that the ASCA
the empirical evidence suggests there are no known breed standard leaves out the detailed explanation
cases of a homozygous NBT (a living dog that carries of the natural bob tail in the breed. ASCA’s
both copies of the NBT gene), it is theorized that guidance from and use of the AKC guidelines for
NBT-to-NBT homozygous fetuses are absorbed in writing breed standards (asking for brevity) came
utero (potential for smaller litters). There remains up with, “Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4)
no clear and scientific evidence or proof of birth inches, natural bobtail or docked.”
defects directly related to NBT-to-NBT matings.
The current AKC breed standard states, “Tail is
The misunderstood and unfortunate public use straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed
of the genetic term “lethal,” used by scientists in four inches in length.
describing the NBT gene, has caused emotional
responses internationally. The common breeding The FCI Standard says, “Straight, naturally long or
practice of NBT-to-NBT breeding has been banned naturally short. When docked (in countries where
in several countries and by individual breed this practice is not forbidden), or naturally short, not
clubs, thus removing a key characteristic of the to exceed 10 cm.” This wording from the FCI version
Australian Shepherd (and many other natural bob unfortunately illustrates a lack of understanding
tail breeds as well). Keep in mind that the “merle” about the breed and their tails…that the NBT can
gene, also a hallmark of this breed, is also referred come in all varying lengths. This wording only
to by geneticists as a “lethal” gene and thus is also allows for an exhibit to have a full-length tail or a
a target for elimination outside of the US for the short tail, less than 10 cm. By definition and with
same reasons. I consider both of these government a clear understanding of how breed standards are
regulated bans without merit and deleterious to written, this wording faults an NBT dog with a tail
the breed and its preservation and health. that is longer than 10 cm and less than a full tail.
It is statements like this that cause great harm to
Over the years, I have interviewed many foundation a breed and to breeder’s ability to preserve and
breeders (all of whom had over 50 years’ experience protect a breed. So now on top of eliminating
breeding quality and consistency over time). They docking, the FCI has effectively penalized natural
all state that they have been breeding NBT to NBT bob tail Aussies with a tail that is longer than 10 cm
generationally with little or no defects. It remains and shorter than full, even though this is a natural
impossible to prove that any ensuing defects from occurrence related to the NBT gene.
an NBT-to-NBT breeding were the result of the
NBT gene. Three breeders noted that the one or two It is understood that when government regulations
instances (in 50 years) that they had deformative are involved, there is not much that can be done
issues were with very short-tailed NBT dogs being after the bans are in effect. Most current breed
bred to other very short tailed NBT dogs. They standards have wisely added wording that allows
made note of the issue and easily bred away from judges to place tailed exhibits in their rings in
it in the future with no further issues. countries that have tail docking bans without
having revised the breed standard. This brings me
If your only goal as a breeder is to produce a to the next part of this article. How does a judge
dog with no defects, may I suggest that this is and/or a breeder know what tail, tail set and tail
unreasonable and unobtainable as nature and carriage is correct for the breed? How do you add a
genetics are in control, not you. If you breed dogs tail description to a breed that originated as natural
long enough and often enough, you will produce bob tail breed? That is quite a question and, there
one of every defect. It is not intention, it is nature. is no easy answer.

A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023 | 103