Are French Bulldog tails docked and cut off or born without?
This is a complicated question.
Read on for more insights on this topic and learn everything about your Frenchie’s tail.
Are French Bulldog Tails Docked & Cut-Off or Born Without?
No. The tails of French bulldogs are not clipped or docked. They are born with short, stumpy tails rather than lengthy ones. Some of them have a screw-like shape, while others have little bends or are extremely short and straight. A byproduct of the early stages of breeding is the stumpy tail.
So, do French Bulldogs have tails at all?
Frenchies have tails. However, the tails are a bit short, thus exposing their butt most of the time.
Frenchie tails typically come in three varieties:
- Stooped down and straight
- Stumpy and screwed (but never curled)
- Thick roots and a little tip
Are Frenchies born with or without tails?
Frenchies are born with tails. But as mentioned, their tails are not as long as those of other dog breeds. Their stump-like tails may make you think that they have no tails.
What are the different types of French bulldog tails?
There are two major types of French bulldog tails.
Straight tails
As the name suggests, this type of tail is not screwed or curled. It is straight. It can have a uniform thickness or be thicker at the base and thinner towards the tip. Though not common, some Frenchies have this type of tail.
As a pet parent, this tail is the best as it is not susceptible to health issues and it is easy to clean. Debris and dirt cannot get trapped in such tails, as they have no folds.
Screw-like tails
This type of tail is common in Frenchies. Such tails resemble a screw in your dog’s backside. This tail type is typically more sought after due to the fact that many pet parents think it is cuter. But it’s crucial to remember that a screw-like tail can also be linked to health issues.
Its form makes this type of tail particularly vulnerable to spinal problems. Therefore, taking your French Bulldog to the veterinarian for frequent checkups is crucial to ensuring its spine is in good shape if you possess one of these tails.
Another problem is with cleaning. This tail has folds that attract dirt and debris, making it difficult to clean. Dirt and debris also cause infections.
Are There Problems Associated With French Bulldog Short Tails?
Yes. Their short tail exposes Frenchies to certain health problems.
Sunburn
This is one of the most common health problems in Frenchies. The incredibly fine/thin hairs on their tails make their skin more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV radiation. Additionally, French Bulldogs can develop sunburns much like people do.
This has adverse consequences for dogs that are similar to those for people. French Bulldogs are therefore more susceptible to developing sunburns on their rear area because their tails don’t provide the same level of protection as other dogs’ tails.
Tail pocket infections
Infections in the tail pocket of a French Bulldog are one of the most typical issues.
The dog’s anus and genitalia are positioned in the tail pocket. As a result, it’s an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
The tail pocket can get sick if it isn’t cleansed frequently. An infected tail pocket will exhibit signs including increased redness, swelling, licking, and an unpleasant odor.
It’s crucial to take your French Bulldog to the veterinarian for treatment if you suspect that they have an infected tail pocket.
Although such infections are generally simple to cure, they can worsen if not detected and treated early.
Hemivertebrae
Frenchies with screw-like tails are more likely to develop hemivertebrae. This is because of the additional strain that their twisted tail causes on their spine.
Hemivertebrae, which are partial or deformed vertebrae, can compress the nerves in the spinal cord. Unfortunately, it can cause paralysis in extreme circumstances.
Hemivertebrae cannot be cured; however, there are several therapies that can help the affected dogs live better lives. Surgery is frequently used to treat abnormalities and release spinal cord pressure.
Additionally, acupuncture and physical therapy can improve mobility and reduce pain intensity. Checking your dog’s spine before breeding lowers the chances of hemivertebrae.
Why are dogs’ tails cut off or docked?
In the past, tail chopping was done to protect dogs against rabies.
In later times, it became common practice to cut off hunting dogs’ tails in order to keep them safe from harm.
Many pet parents opt to dock their dog’s tail today for aesthetic or practical reasons.
There are several methods for docking the tail, including securing it with a rubber band to block the blood flow. The tail will eventually come off after a few days.
A veterinarian can also perform it, which would be much safer as it reduces the danger of infection.
Is docking painful?
Supporters of tail docking counter that a puppy’s nervous system is not yet developed enough to let them feel pain.
But this may not be true. Even if a dog’s pain cannot be measured, it will still cause them to suffer. Like all the other regions of their bodies, dogs begin to experience discomfort in their tails at a very young age.
Docking involves severing connections made of bone and cartilage, muscles, tendons, and up to seven pairs of extremely sensitive nerves.
Puppies repeatedly scream after having their tails severed and after the wound is sewn, indicating that they’re in great discomfort.
Inflammation and tissue damage cause chronic pain as the incision heals. Docking is unnecessary as it also exposes dogs to infections.
So, should Frenchies’ tails be docked?
No. French Bulldog tails should never be docked. Docking is a painful process. Moreover, Frenchies are not working dogs.
How do you take care of a Frenchie’s tail and tail pocket?
Proper cleaning and limiting sun exposure are the key methods of taking care of your Frenchie’s tail and tail pocket.
Proper cleaning
Cleaning the tail pocket properly lowers the risk of bacterial infections. Bacteria get lodged in the tail pockets. Use warm water and a cotton cloth. Wipe the anal area gently. Do not forget the folds, since they also harbor dirt, bacteria, and other debris.
Limiting sun exposure
As mentioned, sunburns are common when it comes to your Frenchie’s tail. This makes it critical to limit sun exposure. Any walk outside calls for sunscreen application.
Final Thoughts
There you have it.
French Bulldogs have tails. Their tails are, however, different from those of most dog breeds.
They have short tails that may not be visible to an inexperienced eye during puppyhood. French bulldog tails can be straight or screw-like. Most Frenchies have a screw-like tail.
Short, curled tails expose French Bulldogs to certain health issues, including hemivertebrae, tail pocket infections, and sunburn. Managing and preventing these problems requires proper cleaning and limited exposure to the sun.
Docking is a painful process, and it can lead to inflammation. Since Frenchies have short tails, docking is not necessary.