Tail docking

[Lovetodream88]

Sense I learned some awesome information when I posted about dew claws I thought I would ask about tails. Besides it being the standard is there any health reason to docking tails or any other reason for docking tails?

[msyorktown]

none that I know of...just the standard

[navillusc]

Same here...none that I know of except it being the Standard. Brody has a natural, undocked tail...I love it...wish Mia did.

But, I am with you...I too wonder why and how it started. I have never seen anything about it's origin in any of my research or reading material. I even wondered if it was initially due to injury in a working show dog...or to prevent injury, and was either considered 'cute' and continued, or if maybe a dog that had lost its tail won and everyone else just 'copied' the look, hoping to increase their chances of winning, too. I'm weird..I know...I am VERY curious of the reason, though.

Thank you for this thread. Maybe some knowledgeable person will enlighten the rest of us.

{Hugs}

[yorkietalkjilly]

Since Yorkies carry their tail out in back rather than curled protectively over the back and it is a thin tail, even at its base, in the early days of the breed they were apparently often injured via laceration/fracture/frostbite and animal bites on them as the dogs engaged in rough play and generally pursued their activities around the farms and mills of the area where they were developed as a breed. Homes/farms of old often had many large dogs, cats and other critters living on the property with the small Yorkie, as well as plenty of rough people and the little dogs frequently lived outside and slept in barns, even in the coldest spells of weather. There were few fences than so they dogs would run where they wished and get into whatever trouble was available.

Today, the dogs are no less prey-driven to chase anything running from them through whatever lawn furniture, child's bicycle, small openings or other barriers might be in the way and are still as impulsive as they were back then. Though they aren't chasing rats through snaggled wooden barn walls, they do find troubles for their undocked tails from time to time due to its size and carriage.

Still, I think the reason most breeders dock/have them docked is to conform to the standard and for the compact look of the dog.

I personally prefer the look and convenience of an undocked tail, not ever having to worry about Tibbe getting his caught in the door or things like that, terriers being the impulsive creatures that they are.

[navillusc]

I've also read that they were used in (illegal, betting games and) rat killing contests with other dogs...and they can be extremely vicious, fighting to the death. Have you heard of that? Do you think that might explain some tail docking, too?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by navillusc

I've also read that they were used in (illegal, betting games and) rat killing contests with other dogs...and they can be extremely vicious, fighting to the death. Have you heard of that? Do you think that might explain some tail docking, too?

Yes, whatever their active pursuits that put their thin little tails at risk, it was decided it was easier on the dogs overall to remove the things that could lead to injury and infection(a big problem before antibiotics) early on in the infant pups' lives. Vets weren't exactly sitting on every corner back then so folks did what they could to reduce the risks to their dogs' health and lives.

[navillusc]

Thank you for the info. It seemed logical, and I figured the practice probably had a genuine purpose originally. Docking just to change the way the dog looked didn't make as much sense. These are very different times for Yorkies than back when the breed was being developed.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by navillusc

Thank you for the info. It seemed logical, and I figured the practice probably had a genuine purpose originally. Docking just to change the way the dog looked didn't make as much sense. These are very different times for Yorkies than back when the breed was being developed.

The times were different but the dogs have stayed about the same in all but appearance, as they have shrunken in size and gotten shorter muzzles, etc. Their temperament probably hasn't changed a whit when you read the description of what some of those early dogs were like. Tibbe is still very like that - as were my first two.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

The times were different but the dogs have stayed about the same in all but appearance, as they have shrunken in size and gotten shorter muzzles, etc. Their temperament probably hasn't changed a whit when you read the description of what some of those early dogs were like. Tibbe is still very like that - as were my first two.

Oh yes...I completely believe that. They are terriers through and through...even my Yorkie-Poo, who got mostly that terrier mentality...only dog who ever routinely 'snubbed' me if he didn't get what he wanted...lol It was the Yorkie mentality and mannerisms I fell in love with first...the looks served to seal the deal. Yorkies are awsome!!! I am so happy to have these two now...Brody and Mia...my owners!

[Nancy1999]

Most dog breeds were developed not to be a prized pet, but to do a job and help humans. Yorkies were ratters and worked in coal mines. The miners put them in a tunnel and the Yorkie would kill the rats that lived in the tunnels. The docked tail was use to pull them out of a tunnel, a long thin tail could be too easily broken so they docked them and cut off the skinny tips. If breeders stopped docking tails, some Yorkies would have no problem, but those Yorkies with small bones might be more likely to break their tails. While docking is prohibited in England, working dogs are exempt from the no docking rule.

navillusc, you're correct, they were also used in ratting contests, with the dog killing the most rats, the winner. The AKC has recently developed earthdog games and the rats are now in cages, and all the Yorkies have to do is find them, no killing is involved.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Most dog breeds were developed not to be a prized pet, but to do a job and help humans. Yorkies were ratters and worked in coal mines. The miners put them in a tunnel and the Yorkie would kill the rats that lived in the tunnels. The docked tail was use to pull them out of a tunnel, a long thin tail could be too easily broken so they docked them and cut off the skinny tips. If breeders stopped docking tails, some Yorkies would have no problem, but those Yorkies with small bones might be more likely to break their tails. While docking is prohibited in England, working dogs are exempt from the no docking rule.

navillusc, you're correct, they were also used in ratting contests, with the dog killing the most rats, the winner. The AKC has recently developed earthdog games and the rats are now in cages, and all the Yorkies have to do is find them, no killing is involved.

I did not know that...very interesting. The way mine scour every scent out of the yard when they go out, I think they would love that game. Thank you for the info...learned something else new today.

[Wylie's Mom]

In the distant past, tails were docked for safety reasons - since yorkies were ratters etcetera.

Now, it's bc of a standard. However, it's banned in places all over the world, here is a link: Docking (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Interesting to note that even in Colombia where people are killed for drugs every day, tail docking was banned bc it's "Considered unnecessary, painful, cruel and mutilation".

My personal wish is that docking would cease; it's the right thing to do (imo) and it's part of their body. If it didn't belong on their body, evolution would have taken care of it. We shouldn't amputate animals' body parts bc of a standard that we, as humans, created in the first place .

Pfeiffer has a full tail and it's just gorgeous! A poof of expression for her.

We've had tail docking threads in the past that got very, very heated bc people do feel passionate about it on both sides. Hopefully, this one will stay only lukewarm or cooler.

[Lovetodream88]

I am enjoying hearing about the tails and learning. I was also wondering if there is a certain length it is supposed to be docked to? The reason I ask this is Callie's is not a full tail but seams docked longer then any I have seen.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

In the distant past, tails were docked for safety reasons - since yorkies were ratters etcetera.

Now, it's bc of a standard. However, it's banned in places all over the world, here is a link: Docking (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Interesting to note that even in Colombia where people are killed for drugs every day, tail docking was banned bc it's "Considered unnecessary, painful, cruel and mutilation".

My personal wish is that docking would cease; it's the right thing to do (imo) and it's part of their body. If it didn't belong on their body, evolution would have taken care of it. We shouldn't amputate animals' body parts bc of a standard that we, as humans, created in the first place .

Pfeiffer has a full tail and it's just gorgeous! A poof of expression for her.

We've had tail docking threads in the past that got very, very heated bc people do feel passionate about it on both sides. Hopefully, this one will stay only lukewarm or cooler.

I hope it doesn't turn bad. I figured sense I got some awesome info on the dew claws I might as well ask about the tails sense it was another thing I really didn't know much about.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by navillusc

I did not know that...very interesting. The way mine scour every scent out of the yard when they go out, I think they would love that game. Thank you for the info...learned something else new today.

It was just this past August that Yorkies became eligible to to participate, here's more information on the Earthdog Trials. American Kennel Club - Earthdog