Dang, I love this site - just joined and I can't stop reading and posting my 2cents worth!
As to the docking - I presently have 2 males UNDOCKED! And I can tell you they are BEAUTIFUL! One particular male, Little Man, is my stud muffin! He uses his long haired tail to 'woo' the females - human AND 4 legged!
He curls his body around and 'flitters' his tail near his mouth and GRINS!! Looks much like a Spanish dancer with a fan! Everyone loves it!
And when my 2 furbabies get into a fight - you just grab a tail in each hand and PULL! Beats getting yourself bitten!!
My 2 females (passed away in January and November '09) both had their tails docked and they were cute, but I would have rather they had not been docked - but I was told you 'had to do it!'
I love the long haired tails and would never dock another!
But to each his own as long as the furbabies are LOVED!