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Originally Posted by yorkiekist  My Yorkies have absolutely no problem communicating and there tails are docked. |
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Originally Posted by MindieRose So because your dog's have their tails, they fight less? My yorkies have never fought and they are docked. I would like to know how a dog with a tail can communicate better than one with a shorter tail, morse code? I am sorry, but I do not see the truth to that argument. My shih-tzus have tails and I see no difference in communication.
If someone want's a tail long or short, I don't really care, but I do not think that it is detrimental at all to shorten it. |
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Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer Ha ha ha ha!
As a family full of nubs and curly tails that are up and out of the way, I just laughed when I read some of these posts.
NUBBY tails are SO expressive! Perhaps even more exaggrated that a full tail! Sometimes the butt even gets in a sarcastic mood and helps further exaggerate their mood.
I also think it should be mentioned that you can, and I have, shown Yorkies WITH full tails. I simply prefer not to. Same with my BRTs. |
I never said that dogs with docked tails are'nt cute, I think the little stumpy tails are adorable I just don't think there is any point unless its for medical/safety reasons. And I'm not saying that dogs with docked tails will fight more, its just that dogs DO use their tails to communicate both with us and each other and it must be a handicap to be without one. Their tails are just sooo versatile and they stand a much better chance of being understood if they have them and so less chance of being misinterprated!
I found this online but theres lots more info out there, and I do believe its just a matter of time before the practise is banned in the US. There were those who believed it would never be banned here either but common sense will prevail.
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Tail
How high or low the tail is held, in relation to how the dog's breed naturally carries their tail, and how it is moved can signify the dog's mood. When the tail is held high, shows that the dog is alert; Tail between the legs means that the dog is afraid. If the fur on the tail is also bristled, the dog is saying they are willing to defend.
Small, slow wags of the tail says the dog is questioning things around them. Either they aren't sure if the target dog or person is friendly, or they aren't sure what is going on or what is expected of them.
Large, fast wags of the tail is a sign of a happy or excited dog. If the wags are large enough to pull the dog's hips with them, the message includes a bit of submission to someone they view as pack leader.
Dogs with docked tails, as some Dobermans may have, have some problems communicating with other dogs, since their tail movements are extremely difficult to detect. Dogs with docked tails will usually compensate for this by wagging their entire rear end.
Left-right asymmetry of the tail wags is likely to also convey information along the approach/avoidance axis.[1]
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