I have a 5 yo half working half show rescue (Fletch) with a full tail. The working strain is clearly dominant. He is always in everything (brambles, etc.), when out walking, but does not damage his tail at all. He seems to know how to look after it. I also walk in farm land full of rabbits and pheasants.
I keep the hair on his tail fairly short - I cut it myself. It might not look too pretty, but reduces the chances of long hair getting caught.
He has just as much chance of hurting his tail at home as he wags it hard constantly against everything - but no damage at all - not even the slightest bit of bleeding. Pip, my other rescue, also has a full tail, wags it all the time, no problems.