Actually they also do docking b/c a lot of Yorkies (and other doggies) were damaging their tails. When it is shorter, it doesn't catch in stuff as much.

Had friend with an un-docked husband and for years she suffered various infections....perhaps he didn't use soap ;).....but the long and short of it (no pun intended)....is he was docked when he was an adult. :eek: Viola no more infections.\

And I love stub tail :p wag

When it affects the dogs abilities that is even more reason not to do it "just for looks".

Yorkies who do agility and other athletic activities are at a disadvantsge with a docked tail. :(

You're right...my f-i-l's bird dog had to get half her tail cut off because she had damaged it on a hunting trip and then kept chewing on it. I don't know of inside dog that would damage their tail in the house. Guess it could happen getting slammed in doors and such but what are the chances of that happening? That's why I said now days, tails are docked for appearance sake. These dogs aren't out working in brush catching rodents so chances are, they aren't going to get damaged that way.

Is this a dog form????? :confused:

Thought of something....does the Yorkie "standard rules" specifically state the tail MUST be docked? If so, then I guess that would only matter if you were showing your pet.

My dd wishes Trace had his tail :D

No, it's a debate forum...can't you tell...lol...

You're right, and I thinks that's why there are people against it because it's not "necessary" anymore. There's even many websites that are totally against it! Honestly, I can care either way. I do like Baby's little tail wagging a mile a minute though.

A friend of mine in NC had Yorkie Mix pups ( I wasn't happy about that, another story) Anyway, she was gonna get them docked, and the vet said it Must be done the 1st or 2nd day after they are born, or he won't do it.
Is this always the way?

I wait till 3-4 days after birth but size also comes into play. Not suppose to dock teensy tiny tails...should wait till they bet more weight on them.

I;m not a breeder but that is they way I've heard it being done... in the first couple days

I think the gal I got Trace from said the vet did all her pups at about 3 days old.

Talk is cheap!

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I wonder how many of you ---who have gotten your puppies from a breeder have requested that their tails not be docked. A lot of you have had this option. Right? Did you request that your puppy's tail not be docked?

And, I know a lot of you (on this forum) are waiting for your puppy's litters to be born. Are you asking them not to dock your puppy's tail????

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And you breeders -- how many of you have requests for puppies that haven't had their tails docked?
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I know that many of you will come right back with "My dog's tail is not docked and I love it --- but, I am afraid that you are few and far between. And - good for you. Because personally, I feel that it is no longer necessary and hope that in time it will not be done.
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I don't want to say, "Put your money where your mouth is," but I'm afraid that most people (not all) still want a little Yorkie with a docked tail. This is our image of the Yorkie breed ...... as it is with many other breeds.

Hopefully, time will present more little Yorkies with natural tails and this will become our image of what a little Yorkie should be. But -- it will take time.
And - it will take a lot of people requesting that their little puppies (when they have the option) not be docked.

Carol Jean

Carol Jean~

I was curious about this and so I did a poll and here is what people said.http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24673

Unfortunately, most of us as consumers have no choice since the breeder must dock the tails so soon (at 3 days old) and way before the breeder can choose which puppy will be going to whom and way before a lot of us have even made contact with the breeder. All of my babies were already born and at least six weeks old before I found them. :(

that was my situation. I never even knew Edie existed until she was 12 weeks old....I don\'t know that I\'ll ever buy a Yorkie from a breeder again...I would probably try to do a rescue. But if I did buy from a breeder, I would be in touch with her before the pups were born so I could prevent the tail docking. Some people on this message board have described the screams they hear during docking and puppies that are very fussy for a while after the docking--this leads me to believe that docking is TERRIBLY PAINFUL. I think people who say otherwise are just trying to make themselves feel better.