hi I'm getting a springer pup this coming weekend the owner needed a new home for him the only thing is is that I am used to seeing them with no tails and this one is coming to me with a tail and he looks really odd does anyone know if a springer nowadays can be shown with a tail or do they have to be docked i dont mind I think he looks like a cross with this tail he is kc registered so one would assume that it would be ok to show him like this but any advice greatly appreciated in this respect i just hope I can get used to a springer with a tail I know were I come from we still dock so this is all a new ball game to me the no docking thing.
ems

Don't know about springers, but my mum has a cocker pup - didn't ask for any kind of tail and he came docked.  Lots of people have commented to her that its unusual for tails to be docked these days?  I thought it had been kind of outlawed to dock tails?  Don't know the true rules though.

CG

Docking of tails is legal so long as it is a vet that carries out the procedure.  And yes, Springers can be shown undocked, the breed standard now includes this with regards to tails:

Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action.
Undocked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. In balance with the rest of the dog.

I think they look great with tails!  And why would you think he looks like a cross just because he has a tail?!  It takes a while to get used to seeing them with long tails-I have 2 docked, 2 undocked but I think they look great with them and given the choice I would rather have all 4 undocked! :)