[Importance of tail length in sheep and the breeding for short tails]

Breeding for short tails in sheep may represent a good measure in order to avoid the continuation of tail docking in lambs. Since the ancestor of domestic sheep, the mouflon, has a short, narrow tail, it may be assumed that longer tails are a result of domestication. Previous studies on the heritability of tail length in domestic sheep were able to show values of 0.38 to 0.77, depending on the breed. Breeding for short tails must however ensure the avoidance of spinal malformations and those of neighboring structures. Until breeding progress is achieved, management measures may reduce the negative effects of long and woolly tails (e. g. myiasis, dermatitis). This includes prevention of diarrhea by balanced, ruminant-friendly feeding, a farm-specific and sustainable parasite management program as well as the deliberate shearing of uncut tails.