Lea

Can anyone tell me why poodles tails are shaved around the base of the tail? My breeder did it before we took home Murphy, and when I took him in for a haircut I was asked if he was biting his fur. I said that's how it was trimmed. I think it's a poodle thing LOL.

She trimmed his hair nicely and shaved the face and feet but didn't know about the tail hair style.

I'm thinking its a poodle thing but not sure! Thanks so much

Lea and Murphy.

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Oodles of Poodle curls!!!!

poo lover

I'm not a pro but if your groomer doesn't know i'd be looking for a new groomer

caroline429

It's a poodle thing.

TLP

The shaved tail base with plume (or pom) at tip dates back to the days when Poodles were used as hunting dogs. The tail could be easily seen in water or in tall grass.

Fluffyspoos

Historically, when poodles would retrieve in the water, they would stick their tails above the water and the tail poms could easily be seen as the dog was swimming.

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LEUllman

It is definitely a poodle thing; the bottom inch or so is shaved, ideally leaving a perfect poof ball on the end. You'll see reference around here to an "FFT," which means shaving face, feet, and tail. The "tail" also includes shaving the sanitary area around the tush.

However, it looks like Murphy has her (beautiful) natural tail, so I'm not sure if the base is still routinely shaved. I'm sure the pros will chip in with suggestions.

caroline429

I think you lost track of the OP or maybe just her poodle's name. Though Cali does have a natural tail and it looks like Murphy does too.

Cali's tail has always been shaved at the base but I've been through a lot of styles trying to find what works best with a natural tail. It's kind of hard to put a pom on a natural tail and Cali's previous groomer kept shaving the base higher and higher and trying to leave a pom on the end until she started to look like a PWD! I took her to a new groomer who suggested we do a tapered bottle brush on her tail which I really like the look of. It still has a shaved base though.

kukukachoo

Whoopsie- I had assumed it was just to keep it poopy-free! Another nugget of poodle knowledge I've gained to show for all my time spent here! LOL!

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Chagall's mom

I just want to confess to at times making a mess out of Chagall's tail. I am carefully not to shave too much of the base. But some of my attempts at a pom have been nearly squarish. I have supreme tail envy of Beau, LEUllman's mpoo. I try not to covet, but I do. Two grooms ago I got as close as I have to a pleasing pom. The next groom his pom looked more like a mushroom. Makes me glad Chagall's tail is behind him, so he can't see what I've done.

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Just be nice.
Cabryn Chagall, CGC

poo lover

I would just be happy if kruz had some hair on the front of his tail to be able have any pom pom .