Curly tails
I was on another forum where there's a discussion about tail docking/ear cropping, and everyone seems to justify it by saying that their ears and tails will get caught on things and tear up and bleed. I was thinking... why don't they just breed dogs whose tails and ears don't bleed whent hey run through the bush? Anyway, then I was looking at Tojo's tail and thinking of how curly it was (it looks like a tight little cinnamon bun) and his little ears. I started thinking... maybe that's what the Japanese did. I used to wonder what the purpose for a curly tail is, but perhaps it keeps the tail from banging against things, as it rests on the back and doesn't really move around much. Of course, this is based on Tojo and pictures I've seen of shikokus... maybe their tails go down whent hey run (Tojo's tries to go down, but it can't uncurl). Also, the tail is covered in thick, protecting fur, no? Dobermans (one breed who is supposed to get its tail cropped so it doesn't get damaged) have thin, straight tails with hardly any fur. What do you think? I've heard it said of shibas that their thick neck fur and loose skin is to protect them from bites and such from the animals they're bringing down. Could be the same idea.
Comments
I think you make a good point tho - after all, at some point, all dogs came from some type of native Canis [like the Dhole] and where selectively breed for certain qualitative and purpose.