FAQ:

This is a good question and shows that you have some background knowledge of the Poodle breed and have likely done some reading. The short answer is yes, but keep reading for the full story and to know your options.

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Background Information:

The AKC breed standard for a Poodle is for the tip of the tail to be erect and be at the same height as the top of the dog's head. This is generally removing 1/4 to 1/3 of the end of the tail. This is a minimal dock compared to many other breeds.

 

Dew claws are the 5th digit usually only on the front paws of a Poodle. They are located above the ground on the inside of the leg. They are considered 'vestigial' structures which means that they are inherited from ancestors that likely had a more functional use of the digit. Examples of vestigial structures in humans include the appendix, wisdom teeth, and the coccyx (tail bone).

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For decades it has been common and standard practice in the United States to dock tails and remove dew claws when puppies are 2-5 days old before these structures have ossified and before a significant blood supply is present as the puppy grows. I worked in a vet office through high school and college as a veterinary assistant and receptionist. Over this 6 year period I held hundreds of puppies of all different breeds while they had this routine procedure done. It is very quick with little blood. Remember, at this age the tail is not ossified and the dew claws are tiny. The puppies yipe with a few cries and then settle down as soon as they are placed back with their littermates.

 

The tail dock in Poodles has always been for aesthetic reasons (as far as I know). The dew claw removal was/is functional to prevent future problems. Dew claws can get caught on things and the nail on a dewclaw is difficult to maintain. They can grow funky since they never touch the ground like the other nails. I saw many dew claw injuries that required dew claw removal later in life. They were far more painful than what it would have been as a newborn puppy.

 

How things have changed:

Over the last 5-10 years this routine practice has been questioned. With my background experience as a veterinary assistant I was surprised to start learning that there was such controversy about the practice that was so common, but I tuned in. As I started researching it was not long before I found dozens of inflammatory articles about the practice and extreme opinions about how unethical it was. Of course these articles and opinions are mostly found on social media, which is not the best place to get credible information.

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The dew claw has been believed for a long time to be completely non functional due to it's placement on the side of the leg. Some belief has changed in recent years that perhaps it does have function when a dog is on ice or in motion for tight turns at high speeds. I spoke face to face with my veterinarian about it. (This is something I highly recommend over social media education!) We discussed a research study that was done on large, heavy breed dogs that indicated some function of a dewclaw. However, every study has limitations. What is limited in this study is the incredible diversity of breeds and sizes of dogs. The results can't be blanketed at this stage of research to every breed, size, and type of dog.

 

My Conclusion:

It's clear that this is not a topic that will come to a clear consensus by veterinarians and puppy/dog owners any time soon. Veterinarians in my region still see value in removing dew claws to prevent future problems. However, I know there are veterinarians out there who would discourage tail docking and dew claw removal. If you have an established veterinarian, ask them for their input and weigh out the pros and cons using their experience. They may encourage one choice or the other. They may also be indifferent and recognize the pros and cons of both decisions.

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I have spent a lot of time thinking about my whys and what I would do moving forward with my puppies. I want to respect others views and opinions and what they prefer for their future puppy. The tricky part is that as a breeder this is a choice that I have to make before a future puppy buyer can select a puppy at 7 weeks. (Be sure to read why I do puppy selections at 7 weeks.) The reality is that with either choice that I make, I cannot please everyone who is looking for a puppy. I wish I could, but it just isn't possible. 

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My 'why's' for removing dew claws and docking tails:

Our experiences shape our opinions and choices. My experience working in a veterinary office showed me that dew claw injuries are quite common. They are expensive for the owner and painful for the dog (much more painful than removal in the first days of life). Keeping dew claws trimmed is difficult. It's possible, but difficult. Again, while working in a veterinary clinic I saw plenty of problems in the maintenance of the dew claw nail. Specific to a Poodle, grooming also increases the chances of snagging a dew claw. 

 

I'll admit, I like the aesthetic of a docked tail. In a world where doodle mixes are very common, I like that the breed-standard tail helps identify the dog as a purebred Poodle. I'm not a doodle hater like you will find in some Poodle breeders. I just really love the added predictability a purebred dog offers in breed traits and I love the Standard Poodle. In my program I aim to breed stunning Poodles. I also prefer to groom and brush a slightly shorter tail. Let's be honest, no dog really loves their tail brushed. 

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I don't completely blow off the ethical statements that dew claw removal and tail docking are painful. In my experience when performed earlier (day 2 or 3) rather than later (day 4-5) there's a difference in pain level as the tail bones ossify and blood supply increases rapidly with early growth. To me it's a best practice to choose day 2 or 3. I also choose the longer dock. I think it's important when determining our ethical values in regard to animal welfare to choose measurable parameters to make decisions so they aren't strictly emotional. In this situation I can measure the amount of time the puppy cries and measure weight loss or gain after the procedure. A puppy in pain and distress beyond the few minutes after the procedure will not nurse as well and will lose weight. I don't see weight loss after tail docking and dew claw removal. This tells me that the puppies are comfortable within a short amount of time. I also don't see prolonged crying from the puppies. Once they can snuggle back in with their littermates and their mom, they stop.

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I've heard of others who have had different experiences than I have, but since I have extensive experience as a veterinary assistant and now as a breeder, I can't discount my own experience. I need to make my decisions off my own first-hand experience and that is that the level of pain experienced is short term and manageable and I would rather avoid the potential problems of dewclaws in the future.

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Moving forward:

I encourage you to take time to consider the pros and cons and speak to your veterinarian to determine what you would like. If you would still like a Desert Sky puppy with a natural tail and dewclaws, I can offer you that choice if you reserve your spot early enough to be first on the pick list (either first male, or first female). When the puppies are 2 days old, you will pick yours and place 1/2 the cost of the puppy down in a non-refundable deposit that goes toward the purchase price of the puppy. Be aware that to choose this route you will not be able to have the temperament testing results for puppy selection, but that's ok if the tail and dewclaws are more important to you. 

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If you'd like the benefit of selecting a puppy at 7 weeks that has dewclaws and a natural tail, you will need to find another breeder who offers this. My goal is for you to have the puppy of your dreams.

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I'd love to hear your reflection and thoughts on the topic.

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