Props to you alison, and dustmop, and others, for voicing chided opinions wherever and however you did, and speaking up for those unable to speak for themselves.
Poking around the internet, it seems to me the more people know about these questionable practices, the more people discuss and question them, and once the answers are in, the more people oppose them.
It also does appear that this tide has already turned and the AKC, whoever they are, is probably not far behind. I'm surprised we haven't heard here from more forward-thinking breeders here. As Brooklynn pointed out - it's really just all about market demand and bottom lines. Those profiting from animal industries who hold to these archaic 17th century-type belief systems will soon be giving way to modern consciousness, which will not tolerate atrocities, just to stay in business. One suggestion might be to start breeding yorkies with proper tails; purportedly a genetic weakness was left unchecked, some rainy day in England way back when.
Here is a GREAT news article - when folks care a little bit more about animal welfare than about their jobs and mortgages, that is love, and that's a world I feel good about, where all dogs can wag their tails proudly. Many might be familiar with the saying, 'As goes California...' By ANNA SCHECTER Jan. 26, 2010
WATCH: Hidden Camera Video of Tail Docking - ABC News
I hope the 'standards' camp will also think it over, because I wouldn't buy a dog whose tail was indiscriminately chopped off, and neither will anybody whose decision I am able to influence.
Given a CHOICE in the market, I know where I'll lay my money.