Why are Pembroke Corgis tails docked?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have traditionally had their tails docked – a practice in which a portion of a dog’s tail is removed –  because doing so was believed to help prevent injury in working dogs, as a long tail could get stepped on or caught by the livestock they were herding. Over time, tail docking became part of the breed’s appearance. In the past, dogs in the United Kingdom were often taxed based on whether they had tails. Dogs with docked tails were considered working dogs and exempt from this tax.

Tail docking is an unnecessary and outdated practice that is now banned or restricted in many countries due to concerns over animal welfare. Even where it’s not restricted, tail docking is otherwise widely discouraged as there is no medical reason for this procedure. Many Pembroke Corgis are now left with their natural tails.