Yes, I agree with you too. We're kind of behind in thinking over here, the Europeans have all but done away with this practise. But if you even want to consider showing your Yorkie in conformation you must have their tail docked. Why, isn't that part of their conformation, how they hold it up? I personally love the tail, it gives them so much more expression. I have an old Yorkshire Terrier Mag. from back 20 years ago and the debate tail/vs. no tail was going on back then! My Biewer has his tail and it's so cute, but like you said, "have to follow the leader (AKC)"...
__________________ Theresa & The Boys +1  The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue |