originally posted by Albea

Good for you! It was the best decision. I hope sometime in the near future the AKC decides that there's no reason to dock tails or ears even if the dogs are for the show ring. Perhaps we could start a petition.
I agree wholeheartedly!

I am TOTALLY against docking of tails, and ears also, with the exception of medical/health of the dog, reasons. And would support any move to get it banned.

When I was owned by two dobes all those years ago, ears were not cropped but there was no way to have one with a whole tail. And we tried, but the breeders downright refused to sell without docking first, in fact, as someone wrote earlier, it was always done at two days old. I`m not even sure what the situation is here in the UK now, except that it has become law that no-one but a vet is allowed to dock the tails of any breed (whereas before breeders did it themselves) and there has been some debate about it.
Springer, other spaniels, Pointers, and some other working dogs tails are usually cropped too, - supposedly because they are likely to get them damaged while working - but my Bobs tail is intact Im pleased to say. Even though he was from a full working strain, Terry, his breeder was happy to have leave his tail whole.