[Cdnjennga]

I have made up my mind on docking and cropping and its a pointless procedure that's very barbaric and outdated.

I don't like it either. The thing is most dogs do not have docked or cropped tails and they mostly manage to get around without getting their tails caught in doors etc. So why is it such a problem for poodles who keep their natural tail?

I think it's fine to admit that you have a preference as to how the poodle looks with a docked tail and want to stay to standard. I have to admit I find most docked tails more pleasing to the eye then natural (or I'm more used to it). But I don't see the argument that it's better for the dog in this day and age, when the vast majority do not hunt or spend much time in the bush where tails were apparently a problem.

 

[Cdnjennga]

I have never had a problem with any undocked tails. I have had dogs with and without dewclaws - I prefer that my dogs have their "thumbs" - if they have them, they DO use them. I have photos of my dogs doing agility and lure coursing and they use them when they run. It goes the same way for tails - tails are "rudders" and they use them to balance when they run. I will be VERY glad to see docking and croping gone.

I'm happy to hear you've had good experiences with dewclaws. The breeder I might be going with leaves natural tails and dewclaws, which I'm happy about, but I was a little worried about the dews bc you hear horror stories of them getting caught on things. She left natural tails/ dews on her last litter, and they're fine and 4 years old now, so I'm hoping all the dew tales are just the exception not the norm.