dew -claws are located on the front leg and can be on the rear legs as well,the rear dew claws serve no purpose!.

I don't agree with tail docking personally, or ear cropping or dew claw removal. I like dogs to be natural, without any bits chopped off!

i dont get people like that, thats how they are supposed to look... i dont get how that can look odd.

i think if people dont like the dog as it naturally should be, then they should find a breed that they will accept... i think its wrong to be so into looks of the dogs... its a tail!

Is that not what we ALL do when we choose a breed.

Aethstetics is a fundamental part in choosing a breed to live your life with.

And to be fair to those who have lived with docked breeds, and not been used to seeing anythign other, it will take a while to adjust to a different look.

Yes, they are still the same breed, but they do look differnet, and for some people the change is to much for them.

It does not make them wrong or bad , its just fact.

Ahh thanks for that

No, I don't think we ALL place a high importance on aesthetics when choosing a breed. Temperarment/breed traits - yes, size - yes, coat type/length - yes, health - yes.

There is no harm in looks playing a small part in breed/dog selection, I just find it very sad when it becomes an over-riding factor. It also makes me wonder just how much of the 'whole package' of the breed these people really loved?

Ofcourse all the rest will come into place, and are equally if not more important.

Whether a breed fits into your lifestyle will all be things we need to take into account.

But Aesthetics will play they very first part in picking your breed.

just like picking a partner.. you are attracted to the LOOK of a certain person.. breed, then you need to take much more into account.

There are many breeds I dont like the look off... so would not even consider taking them on.

But once I like the look of something, then homework is need, health temperament lifestyle will then decide whether a breed is for you or not.

I have 2 boxers, Fred is docked (though his dock is quite long compared to others and my last boxer), Mya has a full tail. I love her tail, gives her so much character and it never stops wagging (though it bloomin hurts when you get whacked by it when she walks or zooms past)
I've had so many comments that people can't get used to boxers with tails but it doesn't bother me, I love her tail and I tell them that, she's still a boxer just a boxer with a tail, still has the crazy boxer personality.
I would never be put off getting a breed that was previously docked just because they now have tails. I've seen rotties, dobermans, viszlas, pointers, spaniels etc with tails and I think they look great
My hubby on the other hand thought Mya looked weird at first but he too loves her tail now

Interesting point - I guess, particularly as a youngster I loved the look of all dogs and was attracted to border collies because of their intelligence not because I thought they looked nicer than every other breed.

There are breeds that I prefer the looks of, but I honestly don't think that I would dismiss a breed because of looks that was perfect (for me) in every other way.

Anyway - we're going slightly OT - I might start another thread about it though

Yes, good point.

I understand what you are saying and agree with all you say.

My point was simple we use our eyes for "first impressions"

Ialso agree , i love all dogs, but some are more aesthetically pleasing (to me) than others... so this would be my first port of call, if I did not find a breed easy on the eye.. then it would be off my list.

What comes after , is the most important thing