French Bulldog tail prevalence

A lot more Frenchies have a long tail these days due to more breeders actively working towards eliminating the nasty DVL2 aka screwtail mutation, and it's been so refreshing to see more and more people choosing health every single day!

In the past, Bulldogs were bred for activities like dog fighting and bull baiting, where a long tail could be a liability. Breeders selectively paired dogs to minimize tail length, aiming for a less cumbersome feature that reduced the risk of tail injuries during these activities. Thankfully, as society moved away from these barbaric sports, the breeding focus shifted, but the short tail remained as a distinct breed characteristic.

Since the infancy of the screwtail genetic action plan here in Australia, we have seen alot of variance in the production of tails. With some being very long, some several inches and some even having the traditional look of having very little tail. We are also seeing some differences in shape with some being perfect strait and some having a degree of "kink", however as we know, the presence of a kink in the caudal region is not detrimental to the dogs overall spine health and stability. These kinks are looking as if they are due to the incomplete penetrance of the DVL2 mutation.

A French bulldog’s tail isn’t just for show, it serves several functions. We all know about the vertibral column improvements, but it is obviously used to communicate with other dogs and humans. It can be used as a mode of defense against predators as well as communicate their feelings, thoughts and emotions. It will not only show when they are happy, but when sad, scared and analysing their environment too.

Having longer tails in French Bulldogs, as with other long tailed dogs, can have them prone to getting tail injuries. It is essential for owners of long-tailed French Bulldogs to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their pet’s tail remains healthy.

Regular tail inspections and proper grooming are crucial to prevent any issues. Be mindful of your French Bulldog’s tail during activities or when interacting with other pets. Avoid situations where their tail may get caught or injured, such as tight spaces or rough play, it’s important to remove any potential hazards that could harm their distinctive tail, such as sharp objects or furniture with narrow gaps that could catch or injure their tail.

Here is a great pictogram of tail types in Bull breeds from americanbullyxlextreme. com

(Originally posted by Erin Burns in "Just Healthier Bulldogs Australia and New Zealand" facebook group)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/justhealthierbulldogs.au.nz/

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