BorderKelpie

I think the long flowing tail would be pretty, but going off what I've been through with my Shih tzu, I would clip a band and maybe scissor just a bit of it (Sic Puppy has a long flowing tail, but I trim the rest of him like a cocker. Found out the hard way that the tail does much better with a band and a touch up of scissoring or you get unpleasant smelling stuff caught in it. And he keeps it flipped over his back, but his tail gets soiled anyway). Not his fault, he's only 10 pounds and about 9-10 inches tall, but his tail is also about 8 inches long and it well, drags into his 'exhaust' at times. Your poodle has more ground clearance that my Shih tzu I'm sure, but still, for sanitary reasons, I opt for a band and trimming just a bit.

Carley's Mom

I wish that all the tail docking would be stopped. It is such a shame that they can't express themselves like they should. I would never do it.

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Carley's Mom

BK, I didn't know that you had a shih tuz. How I miss my little guys, I cry at least once a week to this day...

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BorderKelpie

He wasn't supposed to be here. lol His breeder had some issues with unemplyment and stupid 'breeding in the city limits' issues and begged me to take him before the city nabbed him. So, nine years later, I still have a grumbly Shih tzu. He's a nice enough dog, but he hates my cattle dogs and we kind of have some managment dances we have to go through to keep him happy and safe. lol He's fun to groom and experiment on and he's as cuddly a dog as I've ever met, but he really isn't set up for farm living.

He is actually the only dog I've ever had that killed chickens, too. Weird, never thought a stumpy legged, smashed face dog could catch and kill chickens. lol

I'm surprised that there is yet another shih tzu looking for a home at the shelter this week, also. I told my daughter NO! I like him, but the eye drainage and heavy breathing and monster grooming out in the country just doesn't work for them well.