[AVERYxo]

Originally Posted by Koran

Both of my yorkies are docked. When I lost my mixed breed dachsund/s**tzu (sp?) mix after 17 years I thought long and hard about getting another dog. I CHOSE the yorkie breed. The reason I liked them was how they looked and their small size. The standard stated tails are docked. I wanted what I saw. One of my pups dock is tiny, the other a bit longer but in general, that little nub can tuck in fear and wag in excitement just the same. As far as the pain, reputable breeders that are good at what they do, handle the details of their breeding offspring in a manner, at least in this country, that meets the standard. With this comes AKC registration and continuance of the selective qualities of the breed. When done early AS INTENDED, it can be compared to cutting the umbilical cord on a human, most of the pups are more scared than reacting to pain, they are reacting to their surroundings being changed. As far as the mounds of videos out there, if you look hard enough you can find a video making anything look barbaric. With this, part of selecting your breeder is finding one that handles details such as this properly. The problem, and might I add, most of what you find in video, are people performing this task with less than adequate training. Yes, its a choice, but I wouldnt have it any other way.
If you do not want a docked pup you will need to find a breeder that is willing to work with you for your wishes. It is not a choice for me, my dogs are and all future ones will be. I choose to own a pure bred yorkie and will only consider yorkies that meet the standard. That doesnt make me barbaric or less humane than those who choose not to dock, it makes me an owner proud in what the breed has become and an owner willing to honor that standard.

very well said. i agree.
but, to each their own.