If we only do what is natural, then Yorkies wouldn't exist at all because they are a "man made" breed.

I like the docked look for a Yorkie and honestly while Yorkies with tails are cute, I don't prefer the look. IMO, the docked tails look better for the size of the dog. And if we don't care about vanity, then why show dogs at all?

I do have some problems with procedures (like ear cropping) that require anesthesia because there is more risk involved. Tail docking is pretty safe and if done properly, not too painful. Do I think Ellie is terribly devasted without her tail? No. :) She wags her nub and she can hold it up if she wants to. The only thing she can't do is chase her tail and instead she chases balls. ;)

And dewclaws...I hate them. lol.
The get in the way and are a bit harder to clip. IMO, they need to come off in puppyhood.

I agree it seemingly would be hard to find breeders in the U.S. that haven't already docked their puppies tails by the time you purchase one. I don't see this changing anytime soon either. Sophie has a docked tail and it was done when she was so young that I'm told that it's doubtful she even remembers it happening. I too like the balanced look. That being said; I'm all for no pain and I love the breed so I would have a yorkie with or without the docked tail. As for the dew claws, I had a beagle years ago that had one ripped off by accident running through the brambles and that was very painful for him so I agree they shoulc be removed correctly when they are very young.

Well, of course not everything can be natural. Neutering or spaying your dog isn't natural either but I am 100% behind it because I do believe it's a health benefit. I also think removing dewclaws is fine too because so many ppl have issues with them. I totally get what you are saying and not totally disagreeing with you. Like I said, I also don't think dogs know the difference whether they have a tail or not, LOL, but I just enjoy seeing a dogs full tail wag. I know nothing about dog showing and don't really care for it myself sooo, I have no opinion on that lol. I can just say that I don't care about vanity when it comes to dogs and have always preferred the mutts or the oddballs of the breeds! Ear cropping is just dumb in my opinion. That said, I wouldn't not get a dog if it's tail was docked or anything. I think both ways are cute and I can see how some Yorkies may not look balanced but w/ Jackson being almost 13lbs maybe it just looks right on him cuz he's bigger.

My dog Rocky has his full tail and his dewclaws. The breeder said the Vet did not agree with it and she was forced to hold the puppies when they got their tails docked and dewclaws removed. She said when she heard the pups cry - that was it! It was the last time she did it. I felt good about that as Rocky didn't have pain and trauma his first days of life.

I love Rocky's full tail and his dewclaws aren't a problem at all.

I have read that a dog with a full tail has an easier time communicating with other dogs as the tail is used for communication - and a full tail helps the dogs read/show the signals better.

Eva's tail was docked and her dew claws removed. I always thought I would rather have the full tail, but now that I have her, I don't care. I have let her hair grow on her tail about 3 inches. It flops and flips all over the place when she wags, it is quite beautiful. That said, it does drag across her poopies when she is going potty soooo I have to wipe the fur on it after potty or tie it up before she goes(which looks adorable too). Docking is done like on day 2 or 3 and I am sure the pup doesn't remember it anymore that a circumcised boy! LOL But I agree, it is pointless.

I agree...As I have said many many times on this subject on here...'Hygeine reasons' is just a poor excuse in my honest opinion...my Pixie NEVER has any soiling on her tail as she holds it up when going to potty...if she is ever messy it ends up on the hair down her butt & back legs...it never touches her tail.
I have read ALOT of articles on this subject and from what i have read they DO feel it...urinating while the procedure is being carried out (a sign of fear & pain) and their cries becoming more frequent & higher pitched.:(
We all claim to love and want to protect our precious fur babies from pain but are willing to allow this outdated & unnecessary procedure to continue...that i will never understand.
As i have pointed out before, and will again...there was a thread on here a while back about Yorkie Ear piercing...everyone who posted on that thread was totally disgusted with it, I remember someone posting that; 'they were sure that if their yorkie could talk they would say they would rather NOT have their ears pierced'. Well, don't you think that if our babies were able to talk they would tell us they would want to keep their tails??.
I rest my case....:)

I have read that also about communication...a docked tail dog is more likely to be involved in a confrontation with another dog.
A dog with a high held wagging tail says to other canines..'Hello! i'm happy & friendly! come play with me!' lol:p

Oh dear...did I kill this thread? I have a habit of doing that! lol..:p

In an ideal worl when breeders developed breeds that are docked would have bred for a short tail such as has been done in breeds Like the Corgie, Skiperkai and Austrailian sheperd. These are all breeds that have naturally docked tails. But like ears they were only forced to breed for an upright ear after cropping was banned over here. We still get drop and half drop ears and they are very cute, Rosies mom had 'tipped over' ears. But after the ban breeders took it more seriously as thats what they wanted for the breed. Perhaps if tail docking had been banned back then they would have done the same thing with tails. Many breeders were complaicent about the ban believing it woulkd never happen- I actually got told this by a top breeder- but it did. Many also swore if it happened they would quit breeding, putting the tail before the dog. Hopefully once they shook the sand from their heads they may start doing something the old fashioned way and breed for a feature if they want to keep it. Very little about the yorkie is natural including their beautiful coat. I've had them for more than 20 years both docked and natural, and yes I've probably cleaned more than my fare of stinky butts. Our babies get any mess cleaned off immidiatly, but many dogs are badly neglected and I've seen more than a few on rescue programs with coats and tails matted and full of poop.