Tail Docking

Throughout the history of the poodle breed it's been a common practice to dock tails.  

Reasons behind docking the tails have been functional as well as cosmetic.   Poodles

were originally and in some cases are still used as water retrieval dogs.  The tail was

docked so it did not hamper the dogs ability to swim and so that the dogs tail pom-pom

could be seen above the water line.  Other reasons for docking the tail is to

prevent broken tails from injuries or even just excitable tail wagging which

is very painful and can cause problems for the dogs.  Tail injuries are why tail

docking is a common practice in several breeds. 

With time poodles have become less of a retriever and more of a companion dog.

Nearly worldwide people are used to seeing poodles with short pom-pom tails and in

many cases when asked people think poodles are born with short tails.

Dew Claws

Dew Claws are removed mostly to prevent painful injuries during daily activities

and grooming accidents.  Its very traumatic and painful for the dog to get the

dew claw caught and torn or ripped off.   With longer haired dogs dew claws

can make grooming difficult because they grow at angles twisting and curling.

Dew claws can easily get caught in scissors when trying to shape legs during

grooming.  Dew claws can be difficult to trim and maintain.  Dew claws hidden

within the hair on the legs can be easily forgot by groomers resulting in over grown

nails that become imbedded in the legs or pads of the feet.  This is extremely painful

for the dog and can easily become infected with devastating results. 

Tails Docking and Dew Claw removal is usually done within the first 3 days after

the puppies are born.