Why do some Jack Russel Terriers have long tails and some have short stubby tails?

Question

you know how some have long tails, and some dont..... how come some have long tails and some have short tails? Is there a reason why? Does someone do something to the tails? Im really currious.

ex. long JRT tail:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/dogs/i/jack_russell_terrier.jpg

ex. short JRT tail:

http://cdn-www.dailypuppy.com/media/dogs/anonymous/jack_russell4-2.jpg_w450.jpg

Answer 1

Normally, for a dog like this, their tail is docked when they're little. My springer is the same way ... his tail was docked/clipped when he was a pup to make him have that springer look. Not even the look, but it's done more for what the dog is supposed to do ... like a working dog, their tails are docked so that the tail doesn't get in the way when they're working.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

It has to do with hunting, what they were bred to do.

Since they hunt underground, their tails are docked at a very young age. If the tail is left at natural length, the tail could get hung underground, or be injured, broken.. etc. The same thing could happen if the tail was docked, but still left too long.

Many terrier handlers use their dogs tails as handles to pull them out of a hole. If the tail was docked too short, then it won't be easy to grab on to. This can also be dangerous, considering there may be an urgent need to pull the dog out in a hurry. Like if there was a skunk in there. The skunk could suffocate your dog by spraying it in the face. You want to pull the dog out to prevent that. If its already happened, you need to get the dog into fresh air as quickly as you can.

I hope that helps. I've been showing, working, and studying Jack Russell Terriers. I learned from a lot of great breeders. We also breed Jrts, since we raise litters, we've docked tails and removed dewclaws before. So we have the experience.

Have a nice day!

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Woodsy, tails aren't docked that way. They are clamped, held for a few minutes, then twisted off. Very little pain.

Answer 3

Jack Russel terrier`s are SUPPOSED to have short tails.

Answer 4

Just like the Rottweiler, Doberman, Boxer and many more plus the JRT they are docked at about 3 days of age, some people don't do it:)

Answer 5

The tails are docked at a couple days old. Which mean they are cute off. It is horrible and I don't see the point in doing this.  

Answer 6

It's just their breed i guess. That's interesting. Usually i see most with short tails.

Answer 7

Over the centuries terrier tails have been docked ( shortened at a few days old) so that when the dog does its' hunting job which requires it to go into tight spots and deep tunnels, its' tail isn't damaged, broken or injured.

People who hunt their terriers still want a short tail and most breed registry standards require a short tail.

People who sell terriers as pets alone often don't dock the tail.

Answer 8

What it is is people do something that is called docking the tales; tieing a tight string around the tail until it falls off.

I cant remember exactly why they do it so youll have to look it up.

Some breeds like Boxers and Spaniels get their tails docked.

I think its to do with sporting.