[sarahr]

The tails were originally docked (way back when yorkies were rat catchers in mines) because it was one less thing to get in the way-to get caught in something or crushed. And it is one less thing to take blood flow-it is an extremity so when they were in the mines-it wouldn't loose circulation if it got too cold-dont know if it ever did. And it became a standard in showing and it is the *only* reason it is done now. The dew claws are removed because they will usually get caught on something and get ripped off.