| The ACD Needs Its Tail By Jackie Pickering Published in Dogs in Canada Breedlines - November 2000 |
Blue set the stage for my next ACD, a CKC-titled, health-certified breedingmale. I wanted a mate for him that was as close to Australian import lines as possible. My first purchases, from the U.S., were not satisfactory. It seemed that my choices led to poor temperament, PRA, epilepsy, deafness, large ears, and fine-boned, badly proportioned offspring. So I started back at the beginning, with new breeding stock.
I have learned much about the ACD and want to pass those lessons along. It is important to educate the public as it becomes more interested in this breed. And those of us who own them need to learn more, too.
It has been suggested that the tails should be docked - for balance or for looks, or because that's how they are doing it in some parts of the U.S. Wrong! The dog was born with a tail. The CKC standard requires a tail. Tails provide balance when the dog is working cattle. Just as a ship needs a rudder and a kite needs a tail, the ACD needs its tail.
There is an Australian breed, somewhat similar to the ACD, that is born without a tail. It is called the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog (STCD). At first glance it might be mistaken for an ACD, but they are two very separate breeds. It is thought that because of this confusion over the two breeds, many ACDs are still docked.
I'm privileged in having owned both breeds, which I imported from outstanding, experienced Australian breeders. It took time, but I've found imported ACDs whose proven pedigrees date back to the original breeding records, which were declared pure.
I think that all of us who own an ACD owe it to the breed to educate people that have questions or who are concerned about the breed. And let's help stop the mutilation of these dogs' beautiful tails by those who just don't know any better.