The Tale of the Tail

[magicgenie]

Most of my best Yorkies have come from Europe with their full tails. I often choose not to dock puppies in hopes putting them out there as pets will help change attitudes. I do occasionally place a choice dog of my breeding with a handler, but always one with docked tail. That's just how it is now. My wish is to establish docking as an option in the standard and let the judges decide which dog looks best. In time they will learn to appreciate the undocked tail.
While making docking optional in the US standard will allow dogs from other countries to compete here, docked US dogs will still be banned abroad. When I've questioned this I've been told, without explanation, that US breeders don't want to compete with foreign dogs.

[lovestiny]

Magicgenie/ I always enjoy your honest and polite responses! Thank you for good contributions.

[swan]

Hi Magic Genie! I think your right on the money with what will eventually happen. I need to catch up on the politics that was behind the anti-docking and cropping laws. As for the European attitude that Americans don't want to compete against their dogs. I just watched three weeks of the Olympics and saw Americans kick ass all over the place. Americans are not afraid to compete with anyone.

[SirTeddykins]

My personal opinion is that no living thing should be subjected to mutilation because we think it 'doesn't hurt that bad' or 'looks better'.

Also, I believe that we hold these thoughts because we have become used to what we see regarding docked tails which is no different, say, than being unable to age gracefully as we continue to manipulate our bodies to appear younger due to societal pressure.

Therefore, I will continue to be opposed to tail docking on the basis that it is aesthetically pleasing. Many animals, including dogs, live long and productive lives with all of their appendages in tact. I would like to see the broken tail argument become extinct as it seems a superficial excuse to continue an unacceptable practice.

Just my two cents but interesting topic, as always.

[yorkiemini]

There are others who feel the way you do. You need to pass your opinion on to the AKC. At this point what the standard for the breed is is what the judges must go by. And show folks are sort of forced in to that mold if they want to be successful.

Pet owners in the US get to make the docking decision on their dogs, just like parents get to decide on circumcision and braces etc.

[swan]

Respectfully, I think this is where we disagree. You are very dismissive of the broken tail argument, that you wish it would disappear. That's the problem, we at least have to agree on the facts. It's happening a lot not just in Yorkies but in other breeds as well. We actively encourage people to spay and neuter their pets to prevent future health problems and that is far more "mutilating" than a docked tail. Dealing with an adult dog with a broken tail is a painful, expensive, and unnecessary problem to have. Yorkies are small, they have small talls that are not strong like a Labrador. They can get stepped on, stuck in doors, or pulled on by a child. There are so many reasons for the docked tail that have nothing to do with aesthetics. I stand by my statement that it's like a circumcision. I am a 35 year old man and I have never once heard someone complaining about the pain of their circumcision. Or as you might call it "genital mutilation". I respectfully disagree with you and I think it would be foolish for the AKC to blindly follow Europe over a cliff.

[SirTeddykins]

Not dismissive of the possibility but cited incidents of broken tails are remote at best compared to the number of dogs who experince no issues during a lifetime of benefiting from an intact tail. Dogs can lose legs, claws and teeth but we do not approve of removal because we have not conditioned ourselves to find the removal of these necessary parts aesthetically pleasing.

The sole reason for the tail removal in Yorkshire terriers was for conformity in shows in the 1800s. These dogs were not working dogs even then so broken tail was not a risk. However, the Victorian era was rife with ignorance due to the times hence the trend of taxidermy and poaching and other barbaric practices which were later made extinct as our knowledge grew

The argument for broken tails, therefore, is weak on the above basis.

I believe cropping will soon be outlawed and rightly so and myself and others will celebrate humans continued enlightenment.

Neutering etc is a separate controversy and should be approached on its own merits.

[yorkiemini]

No not dismissing the broken tail. I can only imagine how painful that must be when it happens and then the fix!

What I was saying was that the show breeder right now does not have choices if they are going to champion their dogs.

Europe is something that I doubt the US judges can change, but some sort of compromise so show folks could show both places would be nice! I have never experienced a broken tail, and have experienced the Yorkie docked tail all of my US life so I happen to like the look, but at the same time think the longer tail can be quite charming too - however, I am not accustomed to it.

[gemy]

There are more than a few show Yorkies that have made to CH with intact tails. They can be penalized butt should not be DQ. The AKC might call for standard change across the board to make it clear that undocked dogs can be shown....

[yorkiemini]

I see that more and more Yorkie breeders are importing Euopean pup to strengthen their line, and many come with full tails.

It,would be great if they kept,those tails and more showed with them to help the transition of the standard.

But is the US relaxes some of their standards and allows the full tail it seems that Europe should relax some of their standards and allow docked tail to be able to sucessfully show in Europe. It needs to go both ways!

My understanding is that the disallowing of tail docking was a political/government action in Europe, not an owner/showmpeople decision.

[Paunique]

Just came across this thread. I am pretty new to showing, about 5 years now. I personally love the look of the docked tail on a yorkie but am not opposed to those who choose not to dock. Allowing those from overseas where docking is forbidden in the US to show is not a problem for me but have seen them win and other exhibitors become livid. Also many are now importing from overseas, broadening the gene pool. Many top handlers are now specialing those with tails. I do notice the imported yorkies have darker more dramatic coloring. Anyone else see this ?

[lovestiny]

My Canadian, undocked boy has such gorgeous coloring and coat ....I have him in a training class and the trainer immediately asked me where I got him because she could see he stood out from the usual Yorkie she she sees.

[magicgenie]

Originally Posted by Paunique

Just came across this thread. I am pretty new to showing, about 5 years now. I personally love the look of the docked tail on a yorkie but am not opposed to those who choose not to dock. Allowing those from overseas where docking is forbidden in the US to show is not a problem for me but have seen them win and other exhibitors become livid. Also many are now importing from overseas, broadening the gene pool. Many top handlers are now specialing those with tails. I do notice the imported yorkies have darker more dramatic coloring. Anyone else see this ?

[gemy]

I am well aware within the Yorkie show community that this is a hot combustible topic.

We are ingrained to respect the standard and to uphold it. I think that the change in Europe was forced upon the breeders and that galls us. As I have repetively said I believe it should be breeder choice.

With my breed it is not quite as corrosive, but it is interesting to note that if you want to show in Russia the home country for my breed the tails will be docked..

[airplane]

Originally Posted by Paunique

I do notice the imported yorkies have darker more dramatic coloring. Anyone else see this ?

Yep. I've seen that. I've been told that it's because that over in Europe they are very heavy on breeding for the coat. I can't blame them because doesn't the standard say that the coat is most important? Anyways, as a result European yorkies tend to have darker coloring, and a thicker and just more of a coat but still maintain the silky texture. It's something that is quite noticeable. If you put a typical North American yorkie beside a European yorkie, you'd very easily be able to tell them apart even if you don't have a good eye for differences. The darker coloring and an amazing coat is a dead giveaway. And I think there's probably lots of other differences. Some might be subtle and you'd need a good eye to notice. Didn't mean to get off topic of the thread, I just wanted to let you know that what you're seeing is definitely there.