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.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL- only if the dog is Jewish. ;)

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

LOL again!

[Denise U]

My Doodles have their tails docked and the dew claws removed.  That being said, I was kind of taken aback by some of the comments that were posted in this topic.  As if a tail really makes up that much of a dog.  We all have been drawn to the Doodle breeds because of their personality and their ability to provide unconditional love in such a giving and heartwarming way.  I don't think a tail was on my top 5 things to look for when choosing my Doodle.  So, are my dogs with cropped tails any less of a Doodle than a dog with a full tail is?  I think not.

 

I didn't ask to have their tails cropped, the breeder does this will all of her Doodles as well as her sister who also breeds.  When we go to Doodle Romps in our area, we see other Doodles with cropped tails and the owners of those Doodles usually come up to us and we know that it was one of the two sister breeders we got our Doodles from and laugh as most of these Doodles share the same father.  My breeder's family, hunts year round and because of the rigors of hunting, that is why the tails were cropped, not because they are a "backyard breeder."  It's become their "signature."   When we went to look at the Doodles, I didn't care what their tail looked like... I fell in love immediately.  I even thought I wanted a buff/creme colored Doodle, but found I fell in love with a black one...  And sure, they still can wag their tail... I think it actually gets noticed more than a dog with a full tail. We joke how one moves her tail like a rattlesnake and the other has a little shorter tail and we affectionately call her "Stubby"... and it's the cutest thing when she moves her little tail.  

 

I am all for people having an opinion... I think that's wonderful (most of the time).  But when an opinion is stated in a way when you lessen the value of someone else's relationship, that should be tempered carefully.   Thanks to those who spoke up for the cropped Doodles.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Denise, please don't get anyone wrong.  We love our doodles, labra, golden, ALD, shedding, scruffy, rescued and breeder bought alike!  It sounds like your breeder has established a tradition of tail docking based on their hunting lifestyle.  And it sounds like it works for them and you.  It certainly does not make them one bit less adorable. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud has a serious Tea Pot tail and I wasn't too offended   :)  I don't love the tea pots just have a dog with one.

One breeder told me, ' look for a curled tail'.  She said, in order to spot a true Goldendoodle when they are puppies, be sure to check to see if the tail curled up to touch the back. 

Well I know now, that is not true. Just throwing her statement out there to compare.

[Denise U]

BruceGirl...

 

I was just bothered by a couple of comments from others and just think people need to think before they write things. Using certain loaded words only causes others to be offended. It would be like if I went to your house and told you that I find light colored Doodles to be ugly. Which of course I don't as I also have one AND would never say anything like that about something I know that you most likely love and adore. I know your post was one of finding out why that is done, which this is the perfect forum for learning from others as I have found the DK community so wonderfully willing to share. I have used it myself when asking about what does everyone have listed on their pet ID tags, when I was getting ready to place an order for my girls.

 

I found most comments to be either inquisitive or supportive, which I think is wonderful. I think Karen summed it up the best by saying we love all of our Doodles on DK, no matter what.

 

Just so I can brag, here is the Christmas picture of my girls from this year....

 

[BG and Gavin]

Very cute picture Denise...brag away!

[Christine & Shelby]

Your doodles are ADORABLE!  

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a fab picture of your girls.

[charlotte bednarsh]

Absolutely adorable...Nothing better than two beautiful doodles!

[Katie and Sophie]

I have had both full tails and docked tails on my doodles, and I have loved them all just the same!  When picking out the pups it wasn't even a question I asked the breeder, because honestly, I didn't really care.  The tail doesn't make the dog and they are cute either way! :)

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Denise, I didn't mean to offend anyone with my statement that I love Libby's tail!  Absolutely there are beautiful Doodles with short tails, but for me, for someone to intentionally cut them off is sad. Everyone has there own opinion and I respect that!  Many things happen and there is no choice at times, but I just feel this breeder should not be doing that to her Doodle puppies.