A lot of the ranchers around here also say that cattle and sheep will be distracted and/or alarmed by the herding dog's long, waving tail. I've never quite believed that, since collies have long tails, and they herd, right?
Seems like they're more companion dogs now, but yes their
original purpose was herding. Their tails don't seem to be
very noticable IMO, but who knows to a sheep maybe they are.
They really don't wag their tail rapidly, like say a terrier would.
It's more of a swishing motion and that's done moreso when
their tail is a lower position. When they run they hold it higher,
but even still it's more parallel to the ground, not way up high
for all to see. That's just my view of what I've experienced with
my Smoothie. I would think with a Rough, the tail would be
even less noticable, hidden in all that hair.

I've not been around any cattle dogs to know if theirs is more
distracting in comparison, but it does seem to me, that most
docking did originate with some purpose in mind.

Par...