Docked Tails and Dew Claws

[BG and Gavin]

I just read a kjiji ad (why oh why do I do this to myself) advertising some goldendoodle puppies for sale from a home breeder.  The ad said that tails have been docked and dew claws removed.  I have never heard of docking a doodle tail.  I can't imagine Gavin without that saber plume of a flag that waves back and forth as he marches down the street.  Also his dew claws are intact and have never presented a problem (you can hardly find them under the fur).  Is it still a usual practice to dock poodle tails?  What is the purpose?  And dew claw removal?  What is the purpose?  Do any of you have dogs with these alterations?  Just curious.

[Christine & Camus]

"Mom" would be perfect, but it is just a line with a loop at the end in blue ink.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Sadly Woody (rescue) has a docked tail!  I have always thought he was from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder because I just don't think there is a reputable doodle breeder out there who would dock tails!  I miss him having a tail, but he can still wag his 4 inch stub like crazy.

[BG and Gavin]

I am sure Woody does just fine expressing himself with his stub!  Both your doodles are adorable.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Ah.....thanks!  And yes, the stub is quite effective. 

[April Cliber]

About 4 years ago I "saved" a litter of doodles from getting their tails docked.  I was at my vet and a "breeder" came in with a 3 day old litter of F1b labradoodles.  It was her first litter and she was clueless.  A vet tech came in my room and asked me to talk to her.  She thought it was odd that she wanted tails docked....  The lady was so glad I spoke with her and admitted she was pretty much in the dark.  I sent her home with a list of websites so she could learn about the dogs she was breeding.  (Insert head shake and eye roll here.)   

Doodle tails should be long.  Of course the dog is still wonderful and adorable if the tail is docked....but it shouldn't be.  I have never heard of a reputable doodle breeder that docks them.   The doodle breeding world is pretty split on dew claws.  I personally don't remove them and all my adult dogs have them.  I have never had a problem with them and never had an owner report a problem....knock on wood. :)  I know many wonderful breeders that do remove them though. 

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks for the breeder perspective April.  Sadly I think the kijiji people are clueless too. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No doubt about it. I may be mistaken, but I don't think any reputable breeders advertise their puppies on Kijiji.

[April Cliber]

I don't think many do.... I never go on there though so can't say for sure.  Most reputable breeders sell pups through their website, word of mouth and organizations they are a part of. 

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Immediately what I thought of when I went to meet Woody (IDOG rescue) was that he had to have been from a backyard breeder or worse.  Who on earth would dock a doodle tail?  But I guess some people are just clueless.  Thank you for attempting to educate the "breeder" you met at your vet's office.  The doodle world is better with you in it.   You are a fantastic breeder!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have to admit that Jackdoodle's tail is my least favorite part of his appearance. I have never cared for tails that curl up over the back, especially when they are skinny and not covered with long fur. When the dog has long, fluffy, full hair on the tail, it looks like a big cheerleader's pompom, and you can't see that skinny little curled up end. When I first saw him at the shelter, he was filthy and so his hair was flat and it looked even worse. He looked like an afghan hound, with that skinny naked curled up tail I so dislike. I'm used to poodle tails, and I honestly think I would have preferred it if JD's tail had been docked, from an esthetic point of view. It would have looked fuller.
About a year after I got him, I was told by an ALD owner at a dog park that Jack's curled up tail is "undesirable" in labradoodles!!!!!
I don't care, I love every inch of him, but isn't that rude and weird? If he had the typical fluffy doodle coat, she wouldn't even have been able to tell it curled at the end!

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Wilson has a "teapot" tail.  It curls up and over his back.....always, unless he is scared or nervous.  I didn't know he had a teapot tail and when he arrived, I was pleasantly surprised.  I LOVE it!  I think it is really cute.  And I know it is undesirable in the ALD world, but I wouldn't want it any other way. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

See, Wilson has that luxurious coat, so you don't really see the curl. It just looks fluffy and cute. Here's another shot of JD's teapot tail in close-up, and you can really see that curl. When he walks in front of me on leash, his leash sometimes gets caught inside the curl!

 What you can't see in this photo is that the end of the tail is really, really skinny, tiny little bones.