The French bulldog’s tail - how short?

May 1, 2008 – 5:11 am

How Bulldog Tail
Questions & Answers (Q&A)

Would a faulty tail on an english bulldog severely affe
Anyone have experience with the end of an American Bull
Am I supposed to get my bulldog puppy's tail clipped?
'Never tie a knot on a bulldog's tail'. Do you know a s
have you ever felt like a stubby tail bulldog and STILL
What is an average adult male british bulldogs length -
how short should u cut an American bulldogs tail?
How do you stop an 18 month old American Bulldog from p
english bulldog tails?
What could be causing my French Bulldog to loose her ha

Image by Conson via Flickr

When you look back at some of the first ever French bulldogs you notice one thing straight away, the length of their tails. French bulldogs back then had much longer tails than the dogs of today, however there is no doubt that bulldogs selected for breeding did have the shortest tails or that tails were docked for one of the following reasons:

* As a way to avoid paying tax.

* To strengthen the back and increase the speed.

* To help prevent the tail being bitten while the dog was “ratting”.

* To make better sport when bear baiting or fighting.

It is thought that the longer tails were at one time a natural part of genes inherited by the frenchie, but that over a period of time frenchie breeders went for a shorter and shorter tail. The breed standard in 1937 stated that “the tail should be short and set low, lying flat on the buttocks, thick at the base, naturally broken and should be tapering at the ends”.

It also mentions that the tail shouldn’t be raised or too long, not reaching much beyond the thigh this therefore gives us the indication that the French bulldog tail in those days was longer than that of in the breed today. By 1950 however the wording for the standard was changed to match almost what we see in the frenchie today, “very short, set low, and thick at the root while tapering quickly to the tip.”

“Today most frenchies do indeed have a very very short tail which sometimes doesn’t even cover the anus. The breed’s standard of today however does state that the tail should be “undocked, low, and thick at the root while tapering quickly towards the tip”, so how short is short? Do today’s breeders take short to the extreme and could this be having an undesirable effect on the overall health of the French bulldog?

The actual importance of the tail itself is to act as a counter balance when the dog is carrying out movements such as leaping, walking along narrow structures or climbing. Their tail muscles are also used in stabilising the vertebral column and supporting the extensor muscles of the back as well as those of the buttocks.

Other aspects of the tail are its ability to show pleasure by wagging the tail and its movement relating to showing weakness, anger, dominance or fear to its fellow animals. Thought should be given to this aspect when we think about breeding for shorter and shorter tails, while it might not seem significant to us, the tail plays a significant part of who the dog is.

How Bulldog Tail Pictures

How Bulldog Tail Videos

Dog Chasing His Own Tail	My pit bull chasing her tail
Nos American bulldog Wagging of the tail	Tail Waggin'
American Bulldog	Zoee's tail

How Bulldog Tail Question & Answers

How Bulldog Tail Question: 1

Would a faulty tail on an english bulldog severely affect the dog in the show ring, if even eligible?

I have an english bulldog and I would like to show her, but I noticed her tail is high-set (not supposed to be this) and not hung low like the typical tail should be. According to the breed standard, the tail is worth 4 points, so I was wondering if this will disqualify her or if she would have a hard time finishing?

Answer:
All dogs have faults. Contrary to what the people above me are telling you, the judge doesn't "expect perfection" -- they, too, realize that there is no perfect dog. What they are looking at is the whole package as described by the Breed Standard...so if your Bulldog has a wonderful, standard-fitting head (very important in the breed), the correct structure and gait, etc, the tail -- although probably noticed and noted as a fault -- will not immediately disqualify her. Of course, not seeing the tail, I can't say for sure. However, in my breed, we have a saying: A dog doesn't run on its tail. In Bulldogs, they never relied on their tails as a part of their function, and therefore it shouldn't count too much in consideration of the "whole package". Your best bet is to find someone in your area who shows Bulldogs, and will evaluate her for you (that is, if you didn't get her from a breeder who shows -- if so, that person is your best bet). They can tell you better than anyone here.

How Bulldog Tail Question: 2

Anyone have experience with the end of an American Bulldog's tail bleeding?

The vet says it's "happy tail". She is so happy she wags it constantly and there's about 2 inches at the tip that is black and hard. She wags it against my walls and door frames and it cracks open and blood flies all over the walls. The vet said not to treat it because it would get soft and get worse-he said it's better off hardened. Anyone have similar problem that they've found a solution for? He said he could amputate it the whole way down to the base but because an AB sits directly there it would really cause a problem for her to sit and would be uncomfortable. I'd just like to see it clear up!!

Answer:
I had this problem with my Pit, and I've seen it many times in our clinic. We always put neosporin on the wound, bandage the dogs tail, then cover the tip of the tail with a piece of round plastic, kind of like PVC pipe. Then you have to put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to keep them from chewing off the bandaging. This will allow the tail to heal properly. Of course, in your situation it is a recurring problem. Your only options are to learn to live with it and keep treating the wounds, or amputate the tail. Our vets never recommend amputation as they are very difficult to get to heal properly in a dog. My Pit will still bang his tail up from time to time, and I always treat it. I find that once I have gotten it to heal entirely, it is much harder for him to bust it open the next time. The incidences of his "happy tail" are becoming less and less. I'm sorry I wasn't more help but these are the only options I know of.

How Bulldog Tail Question: 3

Am I supposed to get my bulldog puppy's tail clipped?

Answer:
If it's really a purebred bulldog it shouldn't have much of a tail.

How Bulldog Tail Question: 4

'Never tie a knot on a bulldog's tail'. Do you know a song with these words?

This was a music hall song 'Now if she'd have been a woman now instead of being a man' These words are in this music hall song

Answer:
no i dont sorry try www.theanswerbank.co.uk best of luck'''

How Bulldog Tail Question: 5

have you ever felt like a stubby tail bulldog and STILL sat at the computer banging away ...?

Answer:
my butts numb right now =(

How Bulldog Tail Question: 6

What is an average adult male british bulldogs length - collar to tail?

Answer:
Try typing it up on google, or go to www.us.Iams.com Hope this helps!

How Bulldog Tail Question: 7

how short should u cut an American bulldogs tail?

Answer:
Why would you want to. The standard does not call for a docked tail, so leave it.

How Bulldog Tail Question: 8

How do you stop an 18 month old American Bulldog from possessive Aggression (involving a woman) toward others?

Bosco was adopted by myself, my husband and our three children (girl 6 and two boys 9 & 11). He is very possessive of me and gave a stern warning to my 9 yr. old after we all played on the trampoline and he couldn't get to me.Once I got off and sat down my children came by Bosco and I and he lowered his upper body, stiffened and kept his hindend up with tail wagging. He then lunged but didn't bite my 9 yr old, knocking him down. I said sit and he responded but did not relax. He is on hydrocodone for his cough as well as simplicef. He was in the shelter for 3 wks. after being surrendered to a bulldog rescue. Then 3 days before we got him he was microchiped and didn't like it. two days later he was vaccinated and the next day had a cough and runny nose. He follows me everywhere and whimpers when my husband shows me affection. The kids love him as do my husband and I. Can we help Bosco be a gentleman or is it hopeless. Please help us.

Answer:
I adopted a pitbull from a shelter. She had a very hard life before she was taken from her owner. She wasn't agressive but she would try to keep my son and other dog away from me. So I let her know that I was the alpha female in the house. When ever she would try to do dsomething dominate I would make her sit down and then roll her over on to her back. This also helps to stop what is going on at the moment and take there mind off of it. Now she is really laid back, sometimes she will still get between me and a strange dog or person but she watches me for a sign and if all reamins calm she will go lay down. Dogs will let you be boss if they are confident that you can do the job. Good Luck :)

How Bulldog Tail Question: 9

english bulldog tails?

HI, I have heard multiple stories...that english bulldogs aren't supposed to be born with long tails...and that its normal, just get them docked. What is the deal...I mean as long as they are short thats all that matters right? well that is true about the show ring. I am selling the pups and they are 3 days old and 5 out of the 11 had long tails...some straight and some with the kink in it but it kept going long, they got docked today(3 days old) . I bet no one that buys my pups are going to be showing them...plus show pups cost alot more than what I am charging. Just so that people know. I am not the kind of puppy mill that exists out there. This female is my pet and lives in my home with us...gets on the couch, goes places with us etc.....I treat her good. And no I am not selling at walmart or anything...how ignorant can you be? I will be going to vet school and she is mearly helping me finance that. SO I am trying to become a vet to help dogs...not hurt them. Before you judge people you should find out information first. oh yea also....Trust me, it killed me to get them docked, but it had to be done to be able to sell them. I still kick my self in the butt because I feel so bad for them and I hate that this society needs a dog to look a certain way that involves cutting parts off. But us humans do the same thing, with piercings, circumcisions etc. Its just society, the thing that makes this worse that cropping ears is the fact that they are cutting through bone. That is the part that breaks my heart , but like I said, I had to so people would buy them. They are all doing very well. I decided though because of how bad I feel that when I become a vet I am going to require some type of anesthetic to numb the tail before doing this for customers that way at least they don't feel it during the cut.

Answer:
Unless you are planning to walk into a show ring with the dog, what difference does it make if the tail is short, long, or in between. Typically, you don't see bulldogs with tails. However, that's not to say it's right or wrong. A long tail on some dogs is very cute and unless the tail is docked when they are less than a week old it is very painful and unnecessary.

How Bulldog Tail Question: 10

What could be causing my French Bulldog to loose her hair?

She is almost 2 years old and has begun to loose patches of hair on her back and around the base of her tail. They started small and are becoming larger. It is like the skin begins to scab and as the scabs fall off so does the hair. The hair is not growing back and in the areas where the hair has been lost it just looks a bit red. Like if you were to pick off a scab that had heeled underneath. I'm worried because she has also become more lethargic and sleeps twice as much as before. I'm doubtful that it is mange. I have had experiance with that in another dog in the past and this is not near as bad and it does not seem to itch her. Please help!

Answer:
It's a flea allergy. Get her some Front Line and it will eventually go away on its own. You could get the vet to give her a cortisone shot to relieve her symptoms right away but it isn't necessary. c-ya

4 Responses to “The French bulldog’s tail - how short?”
I want a French Bulldog but I don’t like the “Bat Ear”.

I know there are French Bulldogs with ears like a British Bulldog.

How do you determine were to get such a French Bulldog.

I have seen many in photos and 1 or 2 in real life.

Can you guide me.

Thank you,
Bob

By Bob Hasenstab on Jul 7, 2008
I have one. Where do you live? There is a breeder here in Texas that has a stud with it’s ears down. Here is her site. tell her Mack’s Mom sent you.
http://www.silverhammerfrenchies.com/

By Jen on Jul 27, 2008
you do realize that a french bulldog with “downed” ears is incorrect and a serious hereditary fault. Any breeder that breeds such a dog is violating everything that constitutes a reliable breeder. This brings up the question: what else are they doing wrong for the sake of $ perhaps breeding a dog with a serious health problem?

By Terry on Aug 19, 2008
A French Bulldog with downed ears is not a French Bulldog. That’s like getting a Dalmatian with no spots! If you don’t like the bat ears then you should get an English Bulldog or another type of dog. Or get a pug. If a Frenchie’s ears are down then there is something very wrong with that breeder and with that dog. It would basically be a deformed version of the breed. Please do not encourage that bad behavior in breeders.

By Jennifer Quinn on Aug 24, 2008

frenchbulldog.org