05/30/2026
For years I’ve heard the argument that undocked dogs have “better balance” and superior athletic ability. Now that I’ve lived with both docked and undocked dogs myself, I can honestly say I have seen absolutely no difference in balance between them.
In fact, some of my docked dogs can make the sharpest turns and fastest runs I’ve ever seen. They climb, pivot, launch, and move with just as much coordination and power as my undocked dog.
People love to speak in absolutes about docking, but firsthand experience matters more to me than internet talking points. A tail does not magically determine athleticism, structure, nerve, drive, or overall movement. There is so much more that goes into how a dog moves and performs.
You can prefer undocked dogs without making exaggerated claims that docked dogs are somehow physically compromised. My own dogs have made that very clear to me.
