This might seem like an odd question... but on several occassions strangers have said hello to my staffie and commented that "it's unusual to see them with tails isn't it?".

I think it's more a case of mistaken identity or ignorance from some of the people I meet. Some people aren't sure what breed he is (English Bull Terrier/Pit Bull/even boxer puppy?!?) so that might be it. It's just odd that I've been asked a few times.

But my question is: have staffies ever been docked? They certainly haven't in my lifetime, but I've never seen any mention of it in books about the breed, or in any of the old paintings of the dogs. Have I missed an entire chunk of staffie history?

Hi it is an odd question, as far as I am aware they have never been docked, but I'm not an expert. If it mistaken identity what do they think your dog is?

Nikki

Sorry didnt mean to say your question is odd just its odd them saying its unusual to see them with a tail.

I can't imagine what breed they think he is! I don't think Staffies have ever been docked, and I can't think of a breed that looks even remotely similar that is docked. Unless of course they think he's a boxer - but I would have thought the head shape would be a bit of a give-away!

Th breed standard for Staffies was set out in 1935 /1936 or thereabouts when the breed ws first recogised by the KC and the tail is supposed to resemble a pump handle .
Never heard of any being docked myself . It would alter the whole look of them??

How old is your staffy.If he's just a pup then its possible they're mistaking him for a boxer.After all mines been mistaken for...boxer,pit,JRT,and even a rotty!!!!(he's RED).
Archer

I get alot of people asking me the same thing too! Id hate to see them without tails!! It is so much of their personality, Rubys little tail wags a million miles an hour when shes happy :D

Helen

Thanks for the replies - I thought I would have known if they'd ever been docked...

And he's an adult - so it's not that he's immature, I don't see how they can mistake him for anything else. I suppose it's just non-doggy people :-)

At least I'm not the only one, and Helen gets asked the same thing too!

Karen

hi Karen

i was also asked this when i was walking down the street with my boy (Leo) when he was about 4 months old and i was with my boyfriend and, a man walked up to us and said what a lovely dog we have and i have not seen one with a tail before. so i said what?? he is a Staffordshire bull terrier and they have never been docked, and my b.friend looked at me and said yes they have (he did not give up this idea until we got home and i showed him the first breed standard and then he shut-up)

and just before that it happened again, when i took him to the vet; s for his firsts jab the woman put down Boxer and then handed me the jab form?? she give me a new one and the colour said Tan, i made her do it again he is red and white with a black mask.

i am now glad to say that he looks nothing like a boxer, :D

Natalie

My partner also thought that staffs got docked, and i disagreed i'm glad i saw this post!!!