Poodle Tail Docking

Docking (or bobbing as it is sometimes called) is a procedure in which the Poodle's natural long tail is cut to produce a smaller tail that stands erect. Although this is done so that a Poodle will meet the AKC's Poodle conformation standards, the majority of breeders in the U.S. have tails docked on all puppies, whether they are show quality or pet quality.

Why? If a dog is show quality, docking within a few days of birth is best for the dog as opposed to docking later in life when it can become very complicated...and most owners, even if the Poodle is pet quality expect their Poodle to look a certain way and this includes the docked tail.

Docking is done 1 of 2 ways. Both methods have created quite an uproar from animal rights activists. The first method is to cut off the blood flow in the tail with the use of a special rubber band, put on so tightly that the blood literally cannot reach the end of the tail; thus causing it to eventually fall off. This is called banding and if a Poodle is to be docked, this is not recommended.

The second method is the cutting of the tail. When done correctly, it is a very quick process. This is normally done when the puppy is 3 to 5 days old, however some prefer to wait until the age of 1 week. This is done without anesthesia, as the Poodle is too young to handle it but is preferred over the option of waiting until a dog is older. When a Poodle's tail is docked at an older age, it is a more serious procedure with increased chances of complications and a much longer recover time.

When is this done? This is done at a very early age and for that reason most owners do not see any signs of the docking process (healing, etc). Most breeders will have docking done when puppies are 3 days old. The latest you would want to do this is 5 days old. It heals within about a week, so by the time an owner purchases a puppy, the tail is completely healed.

If my Poodle's tail was not docked, can I have it done now? If the procedure is not done at an early age you can have it done to an older dog, however it would involve surgery with anesthesia. Banding cannot be done to an older dog and cutting the tail of an older Poodle without an anesthetic is considered extremely unethical.

Does this hurt the puppy or dog? When done at the very young age of 3 days old it is thought that it does not cause extreme pain. However, one cannot say this with absolute certainty. It is known that some puppies will not make a noise and others will let out a loud, quick yelp implying that if it is felt it is fast and fleeting.

Does a docked tail stop a Poodle from wagging their tail? Because the tail is shortened just a bit, the majority of the tail remains. This allows the Poodle to wags its tail and use its tail for normal canine communication purposes.

In Canada, while either docked or undocked can be shown, most winners in the ring have had docked tails.  

However, overseas in Europe and Australia where tail docking is not legal, it's a different story.  In fact, the FCI breed standard clearly states that  the 'absence of tail or naturally short tail' is a disqualifying feature.