tail docking

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

Well thank you for sharing that. Now I don't have to feel guilty every time her little stubby tail wags ~ cause I think it is adorable!

A little squeal if any, maybe a drop of blood, but if done correctly no blood. It takes only a couple of minutes and then the pup is put with mom and all is well.

[KazzyK810]

I was born & raised in England. I'm still a British Citizen, but am now living in the States and have had two yorkies here, both with docked tails. Growing up in England, my family & extended family all had yorkies and they all had docked tails, only as a kid I didn't know that, I just thought that's how they were naturally. But, it's a look I became accustomed to and associate with my idea of how a yorkie looks. Now, when I go back to England and see yorkies with full tail, I confess it looks wierd to me. My first reaction is...yorkie mix. I know they aren't...but it's what first springs to mind every time.

[Nancy1999]

I like the look both ways, but I'm concerned about not docking, due to safety issues. While many breeds have no problem with an undocked tails, it can be a problem with certain breeds and especially those dogs with skinny tails.

The removal of dew claws is necessary in order to avoid later damages and illnesses. It is also recommended to dock the tails in breeds which have long thin, weak and sparsely coated tails, in order to avoid later sickness and damage. At the same time tails should be docked in breeds that are used in such a way that there is a risk of injury to a tail e.g. hunting dogs. It is beneficial to avoid painful; injuries and therefore in the interest of the PREVENTION OF CRUELTY to animals. Tail Docking - The Fritsch Report

The docking rule doesn't even apply to "working dogs" because they know that they are more susceptible to injury than pet dogs. However, many pets are just as active as working dogs. This article states:

Sweden banned tail docking over ten years ago. Swedish veterinary reports indicate that 17% of Boxers are damaging their long tails in and around the home environment. While less than the 51% incidence of tail damage sustained by pointer breeds in Sweden following the ban on tail docking, 17% still highly significant. The damage range from broken tips to total fractures further up the tail, just distal to the point where docking would normally be carried out. Because treatment of the injury does not address the aetiology, the injuries keep recurring and frequently end up requiring amputation.


http://www.k9alliance.com/resources/...-FactSheet.pdf

Let me add that tail breakage is a very painful condition, and serious condition. You are causing a little discomfort to prevent a possible very painful condition. I hope the mother club will not change the standard until we have more information on the safety. Remember that Yorkies don't occur naturally in nature, there is nothing natural about purebreds; man created them and man must be responsible and think of long-term safety first. I must say, though, I do not agree that just anyone should be docking tails, or breeding for that matter. I saw the photos of dogs who prompted England's ban on docking tails and these dogs were in fact mutilated, their tails were completely chopped off, even some of the butt tissue was missing, it's unconscionable that a breeder could do this, but I fully understand why the English people banned docking after seeing these photos. Again, as stated in another thread about docking, I believe if breeders were allowed to sell their dogs on limited registration, it would be more difficult for the just anyone to become a breeder.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I was born & raised in England. I'm still a British Citizen, but am now living in the States and have had two yorkies here, both with docked tails. Growing up in England, my family & extended family all had yorkies and they all had docked tails, only as a kid I didn't know that, I just thought that's how they were naturally. But, it's a look I became accustomed to and associate with my idea of how a yorkie looks. Now, when I go back to England and see yorkies with full tail, I confess it looks wierd to me. My first reaction is...yorkie mix. I know they aren't...but it's what first springs to mind every time.

Some dogs with undocked tails don't hold them up as they should be held up. I noticed this with the Yorkies shown at Crufts and they didn't look balanced and appeared to be tucking their croup making them look as if their topline was not level. To me they didn't make a pretty picture.

[YorkieRose]

I think there is nothing cutier then a Pom or Maltese with it's little feathery tail laying over its back...but I have seen Maltese with incorrect tail set ...candy cane I think they call it...and it looks awful!

It is the same with Yorkies..if they carried them laid over their backs I doubt I would dock pets either...but I have seen dozens of Yorkies with tails hanging off their butts like a pump handle...
I realize I have a major hang-up about Yorkies with long tails...and not just pets...I do not think show Yorks look attractive with tails...

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by YorkieRose

I think there is nothing cutier then a Pom or Maltese with it's little feathery tail laying over its back...but I have seen Maltese with incorrect tail set ...candy cane I think they call it...and it looks awful!

It is the same with Yorkies..if they carried them laid over their backs I doubt I would dock pets either...but I have seen dozens of Yorkies with tails hanging off their butts like a pump handle...
I realize I have a major hang-up about Yorkies with long tails...and not just pets...I do not think show Yorks look attractive with tails...

Yes, my Maltese had a beautiful, feathery tail that he carried over his back. I loved that too but it is a whole different look.

My Westie has a 'pump handle' hanging down - but again, it's a natural look to me since that's how I'm used to seeing Westies.

But, I'm used to seeing Yorkies with docked tails - so that's what looks good to me and I think it's so cute!

[Yorkiexpress]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

I love the Yorkies with the long tails. To me it just adds to their personality.

Isabella is in full tail and will be shown next month for the first time...Will let you know how the judges react to her beautiful full tail....

[Yorkiexpress]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Some dogs with undocked tails don't hold them up as they should be held up. I noticed this with the Yorkies shown at Crufts and they didn't look balanced and appeared to be tucking their croup making them look as if their topline was not level. To me they didn't make a pretty picture.

lol.....we know Isabella holds hers up and proud... Now if we could just get her to quit spinning it...lol

[Yorkiexpress]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

There is a newbie that has not yet begun to show her European girl with her full tail.

Judges are not being snooty but, judging by the American AKC/YTCA Standard.

I hear over and over how some love tails, that it shows their personality. However, if you really understood the yorkie and what the judge looks for in animation, personality and attitude, it isn't the tail, but the ears.

Newbie here....personality and ears she has...lets hope she uses them...

[yorkietalkjilly]

I really like the terrier with as few things as possible to injure such as docking the tail and removing dew claws. My terriers have always been so impulsive, fearless, fast and too small to catch easily and that I think they are safer with less things to injure. I have heard that the infant pups don't actually have enough of a fully developed neurological system for the docking/claw removal to hurt more than a hard twinge - hope that is true. Have never seen either done except on TV but I am glad my terriers have not had tails/dew claws as I have read and heard that broken tails and torn dew claws are quite painful.

[EsmeeKimme]

I prefer the look of the docked tails but that is just me, I think it might relate to a cocker we had awhile back. I loved her nub, I called her "flutter butt" , her name was Zelda.

[linda-narkowski]

Originally Posted by Britster

Jackson has a full tail. I prefer it, but think docked are cute too. I just find the procedure pointless.

Love the tails! A lot more people are looking for puppies with full tails. I agree that is it pointless, and also just cruel but that is how I feel..