Decision on Docking Tail

[Presto]

Originally Posted by chachi

Yes I understand but the OP is in the USA so the info I gave is helpful to her to decide. Im not meaning to get into a debate over if tails should be docked. I just stated its the standard here and it might affect who buys from her and she needs to think about that

I apologize but i didn't want to come across rudely either I was just saying if she is only selling or giving them away as pets it shouldn't matter and even the standards might change in US like they have in Europe. Once again, my apologies.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Presto

I apologize but i didn't want to come across rudely either I was just saying if she is only selling or giving them away as pets it shouldn't matter and even the standards might change in US like they have in Europe. Once again, my apologies.

No I didnt take it you were being rude. The standards may change eventually I dont think it will be any time soon though. It is up to the YTCA to change the standard. I would think it would be great if they changed the docking standard though

[Teegy]

I didn't take your comments as rude either. No worries.
But things that make you go hmmmmm.....
If it is illegal in England to dock the tails of Yorkshire Terriers, the country the breed originated from, wouldn't you think that the standard would change?
In saying that, if the breed standard in the States did change, how would one feel as a breeder about said change and how would this impact the show circuit with all the present champions out there having docked tails.

[moshes_human]

Originally Posted by Teegy

I didn't take your comments as rude either. No worries.
But things that make you go hmmmmm.....
If it is illegal in England to dock the tails of Yorkshire Terriers, the country the breed originated from, wouldn't you think that the standard would change?
In saying that, if the breed standard in the States did change, how would one feel as a breeder about said change and how would this impact the show circuit with all the present champions out there having docked tails.

I'm sure the one's with docked tails could be grandfathered in. But...who knows

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Teegy

I didn't take your comments as rude either. No worries.
But things that make you go hmmmmm.....
If it is illegal in England to dock the tails of Yorkshire Terriers, the country the breed originated from, wouldn't you think that the standard would change?
In saying that, if the breed standard in the States did change, how would one feel as a breeder about said change and how would this impact the show circuit with all the present champions out there having docked tails.

Im glad you didnt think I was rude I am just a direct type of person. It would have a major impact thats why change comes slow. It would affect everybody who shows now.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by moshes_human

I'm sure the one's with docked tails could be grandfathered in. But...who knows

Yep they would have to do that for sure

[concretegurl]

Tail docking is done to prevent tail injury.
Having said that it was mainly done so when Yorkies were considered "working dogs" as well, and far more prone to injury. I

It is illegal throughout varies places in Europe.

There are many studies out there showing the benefits of tail docking in the aspect of injury prevention and emergency docking due to injury the current rate in Europe is 30% higher rates of tail injuries-obviously because far more dogs there have full tails.

Personally I like tail docking on breeds it is seen necessicary, as well ear cropping when medically necessicary: I would have a licensed experienced vet do it properly,to prevent injury and infections.

Although I personally think long tails are just beautiful.

I have experienced both dew claw (from getting a dog without them being removed) injury and also emergency removal.
Also tail injury BF's dog for whatever reason always got her tail hurt somehow. She was a crazy active dog though too.

[Presto]

haha i think in the end unless you are showing the dog it comes to personal preference. i think yorkies are a beautiful breed and are amazing with or without that tail

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by Evie the evil

Okay, I understand that the breed standard calls for me docking the tails of my yorkie pups when they are born. I am just finding it very hard to think about even doing. It just seems like aweful pain for nothing. I can see doing the dew claws as they can become painful if they catch on something and get yanked later in life.

With that long winded opener... my question is this... When I have my puppies... if my only plan is to give them to good homes as pets only... is there anything wrong with leaving their tail intact? Do you think some would turn their nose up at a yorkie with a tail?

Just thoughts at this point..

I would LOVE a Yorkie with a full tail. I think the only ones who would "turn up their nose" at a full tail would be those that think they should strictly adhere to the YTCA standards....
IMO, absolutely nothing wrong with letting them keep their god-given tails!!!
I also don't buy into the injury prevention theory for docking tails. If that were the case, why don't they dock Bichons, Maltese, Shih Tzu , Lab.... etc? jmo

[Britster]

Originally Posted by AprilLove

I would LOVE a Yorkie with a full tail. I think the only ones who would "turn up their nose" at a full tail would be those that think they should strictly adhere to the YTCA standards....
IMO, absolutely nothing wrong with letting them keep their god-given tails!!!
I also don't buy into the injury prevention theory for docking tails. If that were the case, why don't they dock Bichons, Maltese, Shih Tzu , Lab.... etc? jmo

I don't believe the risk to tail injury is any greater than any type of other injury a dog can get... broken leg, cut paw, hurt ear, scratched nose, the list goes on. So just because the dog has a chance to break his leg, we should just cut off the leg... to prevent it? How does that make sense? To me, it's the same logic with tail docking. Just a pointless procedure to suit the needs of a human when it comes to cosmetics... I'm not saying it's wrong to prefer one look or the other, but it just seems kind of silly to me.

[DiChloe]

I love that both of my girls have a full tail!! everytime they are happy, they wag those tails!! is soooo cute!! _i just love it!! Yorkie tails ROCK!!! IMO

[yorkietalkjilly]

From what I have read, Yorkies were bred for working down low chasing rats through every crevice, crack and hole in often very primitive living conditions. When a Yorkie is chasing prey, it stops at nothing. They would catch their tails on things, scratch them on wood splinters, exposed nails, cut them, other animals, including other dogs, and the rats themselves, would bite tails as they raced in and out, over and under whatever happened to be in the barn or outbuildings, farm yard, mine - you name it, and in the end-game fight. A Yorkie will squeeze into and put his body in the most precarious positions when he's scenting something or chasing.

Broken, ampulated tails, tails stomped by farm animals, lacerated and shredded tails were a problem as Yorkie's always were and are extremely prey-driven and won't stop for anything when on the trail of small prey. Many Yorkies also have fragile tails as opposed to the Lab, whose tail is much sturdier. Many other terriers have docked tails for the same reason. I have never met a Lab, Bichon or Shih Tzu who are as prey-driven as a Yorkie on the scent - maybe they are but I, for one, am glad Tibbe's dail is docked as he thinks he is still a working dog and would go through a shredder on impulse to get what he is after! He has no impulse control at all where real or perceived prey is concerned and is up and gone and into whatever B4 I can look up, let alone stop him.

If we did have mice or rats here, I hate to think what this dog would do to get to one and am pretty sure no broken tail would stop him! For that reason, even though most of us don't live in primitive conditions, there are still many perils for a racing, driven dog diving under rocker recliners or any low-to-the-ground yard furniture, fences, gates, bicycles lying on their sides, stored garden equipment, etc. I am glad Tibbe has a docked tail, little prick ears and no dew claws as he still chases things as if he were a working dog back in the mines or something.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

From what I have read, Yorkies were bred for working down low chasing rats through every crevice, crack and hole in often very primitive living conditions. When a Yorkie is chasing prey, it stops at nothing. They would catch their tails on things, scratch them on wood splinters, exposed nails, cut them, other animals, including other dogs, and the rats themselves, would bite tails as they raced in and out, over and under whatever happened to be in the barn or outbuildings, farm yard, mine - you name it, and in the end-game fight. A Yorkie will squeeze into and put his body in the most precarious positions when he's scenting something or chasing.

Broken, ampulated tails, tails stomped by farm animals, lacerated and shredded tails were a problem as Yorkie's always were and are extremely prey-driven and won't stop for anything when on the trail of small prey. Many Yorkies also have fragile tails as opposed to the Lab, whose tail is much sturdier. Many other terriers have docked tails for the same reason. I have never met a Lab, Bichon or Shih Tzu who are as prey-driven as a Yorkie on the scent - maybe they are but I, for one, am glad Tibbe's dail is docked as he thinks he is still a working dog and would go through a shredder on impulse to get what he is after! He has no impulse control at all where real or perceived prey is concerned and is up and gone and into whatever B4 I can look up, let alone stop him.

If we did have mice or rats here, I hate to think what this dog would do to get to one and am pretty sure no broken tail would stop him! For that reason, even though most of us don't live in primitive conditions, there are still many perils for a racing, driven dog diving under rocker recliners or any low-to-the-ground yard furniture, fences, gates, bicycles lying on their sides, stored garden equipment, etc. I am glad Tibbe has a docked tail, little prick ears and no dew claws as he still chases things as if he were a working dog back in the mines or something.

But again, full tails are beautiful...well I think "nubbins" are cute too.
I joke about Elvis being "prissy" and cat like with his grooming and naps etc being so mellow-we did kitchen renovations (nothing exciting pip busted and we had to fix the sub-flooring from the leak) well Elvis started going insane!

We had a mouse-3 actually-all the dogs actually were crazy here they are all terriers (ratters) but WOW Elvis went from the definition of a lap dog to an insane killing machine in 3 seconds flat, ripping at the cabinet doors flying under the sink through the pipe work like nothing I've ever seen him do before or since!

I think he even scared Monster our mini schnauzie she's has a docked tail too which is like a handle by breeding for the effect of it!

[Britster]

Jackson has caught two birds in our screened in porch, he runs full force most days of the week, he chases rabbits in my dads backyard, he chases bugs and mice and whatever else they find back there, he jumps on/off furniture, he does agility, he goes swimming, he plays in mud... does everything most terriers would do and his tail (or dewclaws for that matter) have never caused him issues or gotten in the way... I'm just saying, I don't think protection of the tail is a good enough excuse and wish people would just admit (well, lots do) that it's simply a preference of looks. I can guarantee none of our dogs are TRUE working dogs. If you would let your dog in a big room full of rats, then yes a docked tail would probably come in handy, but most Yorkies are not used as working dogs anymore and chasing a few mice here and there in a fenced back yard is completely different. In fact, Border Terriers are one of the few terriers left that actually still are bred to be working dogs and they have a tail!

[concretegurl]

Good point Brister, I'm maybe too paranoid about it then?

Again my dogs came with docked tails I never had to think about the decision, and more so am always more concerned with the risks, but it's really nice to hear from people who's dogs have full tails and are very active if they've experienced injury since that's supposed to be the reasoning.

Jackson has his declaws still too? Please be careful with them, does he wear shoes or do you use a wrap on them to protect them at all when he's being active?

Don't boarder terriers have an especially durable tail too?