Docking was originally carried out because the yorkie was a working dog (ratter). The tail was removed to ensure that there was nothing 'additional' which rats could attack, giving the dog the advantage every time. The same applies to the Jack Russell. Here in the UK it's illegal to dock - but I believe that a special certificate can be had if your dog is (provably) a working dog, when docking can be carried out for safety reasons (although this is rare, I'm told). |