I am not sure how it all started with Yorkie's but for many sheep breeds tail docking is commonly done as a cleanliness and disease prevention decision. Long tailed sheep breeds are more prone to fly strike/maggot infestation and other issues.
Although I wish we could have the tail dock/not dock as an optional for showing under the AKC standard (especially because so many other countries do not have docked tails as the breed standard for their shows) I am hesitant for legislation that takes away my option as a pet owner to make that decision. I see a lot of legislation that pulls at my heart strings then upon further inspection has things slipped in that I don't see as encouraging continuation for the common right to pet ownership. I think it is a delicate topic because we want to promote animal welfare and advocate for animals but a lot of things that seem to be on the table are discouraging that.
We are so blessed for the relationship that we get to share with animals, I know everyone here feels passionate about that relationship and that is how we ended up here- or in animal related careers like you and me Taylor
- but I am very hesitant to write in stone some of these things. Dewclaw removal for example is, I feel, very beneficial as a preventative health measure to support our dogs, I would hate to lose the right to make the choice to remove those dewclaws. In Norway spay and neuter is illegal without Documentation of a specific medical requirement for it because they feel it is cruel to animals, isn't that interesting? But we also know about the higher risks of mammary tumors, pyometra and testicular challenges that dogs are more likely to face if left intact. I know we all have different thought processes and opinions but within safe and reasonable protection for the animal I would like to see some limitations on government oversight in regard to our pets especially when it comes down to minimal procedure like tail docking.