What does your doodle's tail do?

[Stacy]

I thought my goldendoodle's tail would be more like a flag - kind of like a golden retriever or a lab. But she holds it high over her back in a curl - almost like a papillon. Is that what poodle's tails do? Or is she learning it from her papillon sister? (just kidding) When I stretch her tail out it has a very distinct curve to it and it boings back up over her back as soon as I let go! Obviously this isn't a problem, just a curious observation. 

I just love this girl! And as the puppy chewies just barely start to fade and I can walk around the house without dragging her along hanging off my pant leg, I find that I love her more and more every day!

Stacy

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poodles' tails are typically docked when they are very young, the upper third (the skinny tapered curling part) is removed so that the tail stands up straight. I've never seen a poodle with a "natural" tail in person, but I imagine it would curl over the back. 

Since doodles are mixed breeds, they can get the "saber" tail of the Retrievers or they can get the Poodle tail. JD definitely got the latter, his tail curls up over his back like your dog's does.

[Stacy]

That's interesting. I guess I didn't realize that poodle tails were docked. One of my personal requirements for a dog is that they keep all their "parts" (excluding reproductive organs.) I appreciate the look of a well cropped ear on certain breeds, but I think all dogs are perfect just the way they are born and I don't think I could make cosmetic changes like that to mine. 

Oh, and I meant to tell you, the chicken ala veg is working very well for Katie. Thanks again for the recommendation. I feel good knowing that it's a healthy food. And the crazy thing is that it's significantly cheaper than what I was paying for Royal Canin before. It's too bad they don't sell the better foods in stores like Petsmart - but I guess if they did they would get bought out by the large corporations and then they wouldn't be the better foods anymore. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The docking of Poodles' tails was not originally done for cosmetic purposes. They were used for hunting waterfowl, so the shorter straighter tails acted as rudders in the water. And that very skinny curled end was very vulnerable to becoming entangled in brush and being injured out in the fields and woods. :)

I'm glad the Fromm is working well for Katie.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In fact, Jack's tail quite often gets curled and wrapped around his leash when he walks in front of me, lol. 

[Stacy]

Now that's funny. I took Katie to visit my parents and my dad half jokingly (but only half) offered to make her into a hunting dog for himself. Ignoring the fact that I don't hunt, or have any desire to have a hunting dog, and the fact that at 23 pounds I think she's too small to be a proper hunting dog anyway - all that hair!! I would have to shave her bald to get all the burrs off her. I like her long. I think we'll stick with the dog park and lounging on the couch.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I had no idea that Jack had a curling tail!  I need a picture.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

OMD!  I just assumed that Jack's tail was straight or saber shaped because his coat is so straight.  It gives the judge a bit of whimsey!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Awwww....cute tail :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some doodles do have "teacup" tails although the saber tail is preferred" in the breeding world. Either one is great.

[Stacy]

I wondered if there was a preference - all of the photos on my breeder's website show their tails hanging down. I, of course, think my pup is perfect just the way she is - except when she's chewing through another bra. Then she's the naughtiest dog and I tell her that that's something a papillon would never do!!