 tail docking: profession or cosmetic
docking: as far as i have read, it's more about appearance than "profession", since huddersfield ben (the founding yorkie) had his full tail, and many prized early yorkies in photos from the late 19th C had their tails, too. they were also longer in body, had longer muzzles, and were larger dogs.
however, when the yorkie was already a show-dog and lap-dog in the 20th C, the breeders bred for shorter backs and started docking to achieve the more "well-rounded" and porportioned look. the back became shorter, the muzzle, too. the yorkie bacame a mini, standards putting him under 7 lbs. tail-docking became common show-practice, and the "look" was established.
so, in my opinion, from what i have read and seen, it seems more cosmetic and for the "look" that docking was imposed on the yorkie than for the purpose of chasing rats. Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers in holes, they never got docked, even not the miniatures. the Dachshund tail even accentuates it's long body... also cosmetic.
just my opinion. i also prefer tails, they are so expressive!
but i can understand breeders who dock, especially if the market demands docked tails and show-rings reqire them.
good luck with your pups!
mbfleur |