Quote Originally Posted by wolfy-hound View Post
What works for one person isn't going to work for another. I used to bruise so easily that a friendly squeeze of a hand would leave marks on my arms. A thick tail whapping on my leg would leave bruises like baseballs.
I don't see how a missing tail really affects most dogs in the least, as long as it's done within the 3-7 days of birth. I've watched pups getting tails and dewclaws docked, and most were more distressed over being picked up than they were about having their appendage snipped off.
I never saw a pup yet that seemed distressed over NOT having a tail. They grow up with no tail, so how would they miss it? Yes, it's mostly a cosmetic procedure(unless it's done later in life because of injury), but it's not exactly a issue to the dog.
I honestly don't know why you think that a Rottie's tail would bruise anyone...

It is my opinion that the question is not: "Does the dog miss the tail that has been cut off for cosmetic reasons?" but rather "Is this the right thing to do to a dog and are the reasons for the action ethical and justified?"