[Azure Hills]

To OP, I think you made a fine choice. He will be cute with his long tail, as others have said.

I personally prefer the docked tail. The only dog I have with a long tail is my Chi. My others are either docked or born that way(Bulldog). As for the poster who mentioned Rotties, I have had several of them, and while I MUCH prefer the look, I also like them docked because a long tail in that breed among some others, is worse for the dog. The reason they began docking them in the first place. They can be damaged very severely if left long. Plus, some Rotties are born with no tail. While I understand what you are saying abot the balance thing-this can affect the animal if it is grown and then loses the tail, as it was used to using it for balance. But, if they are docked very young, then they never had to worry about the difference, since they learned to walk this way from the start. I would be more concerned for a cat without a tail, since they use it more for balance, but again, som are born tailless, and do just fine. Oh, I also recued a racing greyhound years ago and she lost her tail to a gate accident. She did just fine without that tail and was the fastest dog I ever saw!

To each his/her own. With the little ones, if they are pets only, it is a personal preference thing. My preference is if it is what I am used to seeing(ie. standard) I prefer it. But, I usually tend to prefer tailless or docked breeds anyway.

Can I hear more views on cropping, please? I am considering a breed that is cropped by standard and I prefer the look, but I kanda have issues with the fact that it is not done as young as tail docking(I have hard the whole nerve endings deal before, and have sen it done many times, so tend to believe it). With cropping it is usually not done until around 12 weeks of age(or so I'm gathering). I kind of think it couldn't be worse than a s/n, during aftercare and healing. And have seen many, and they don't seem bothered by it.