docking tails

[stinky]

I prefer the docked tail for several reasons...okay, just two really. It looks cute and when her hair is long we have enough trouble as it is, come potty time. But thank goodness the responsibility fell on the groomer, because I doubt I'd be able to have that done to her. Ouch.

[HighlandYorkies]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

Highland Yorkies, your babies are beautiful!!!!

THANKYOU - so kind !

In answer to the question of do they curl or not, well all of my Yorkies have a gentle curl upwards in their tails, but it doesn't go right up over their backs, they can be down or raised up, and that is when you see the full flowing long hair of the two colours - steel blue and tan, all intermingled and beautiful. Their tails are heaven and very beautiful - when they wag they are amazing and create quite a cooling breeze !!!
If this thread is still up I will try and get some pics of my babies' tails !

Debra x x x x

[Anna Banana]

I think just about all the members here love yorkies, tails docked or not...But its just a personal preference as to whether or not we here in the US want our yorkies to fit into the AKC standard or not...

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by HighlandYorkies

You will change your mind when it becomes common-place and not done for "the look"....
All my three Yorkshire Terriers have the tails God gave them...
If you have never seen one, I hope you get the chance very soon.
From the place where all Yorkies originated, SCOTLAND...here is how the happy Yorkies wag their tails and show off the lovely fall of hair.....not a very good pic, but a wee bit on view here with Tara who is nearly 7.
Look what you are missing :

Now I'm not picking on you, just speaking to your post. The difference in the 2 countries. In the UK the yorkies are shown with their tail down, supposedly to show a balanced yorkie....in the US the yorkies are shown with their tail higher than the back.....anywhere from 12 o'clock to about 2 o'clock....also for a balanced look, however the tail is docked.....both are done for the same reason, just differences.

Also, speaking to top breeders over there across the pond......they are not real happy about not being able to dock as they are having higher instances of the thinner yorkie tail being broken.

[BamaFan121s]

Hmm...that is very interesting. Now I don't know how easy it is for a Yorkie to break it's tail, because I've never had one with a tail, but if it is pretty easy (I know it is for some breeds) the thought that the show career of a great dog being ended by a tail injury is interesting. That would really be unfortunate. Very thought provoking...

[BoBoDiddle]

Weird. When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it would be full of posts about how it's cruel to dock tails. I don't think I've seen one post yet making this argument. Interesting.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Hmm...that is very interesting. Now I don't know how easy it is for a Yorkie to break it's tail, because I've never had one with a tail, but if it is pretty easy (I know it is for some breeds) the thought that the show career of a great dog being ended by a tail injury is interesting. That would really be unfortunate. Very thought provoking...

There was an article posted in Yorkie Club Magazine (European based Magazine) about this problem....

I've also seen it myself, when a tail has been left undocked due to the puppies size being too small when docking time (3-5 days).....litter mates playing around too hard, breaking injuring the tail.

I'm not sure if this will have any affect on it detering the docking practice in the US, but it is something that breeder/exhibitors ponder over.....

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by Kodak

Yorkies are cute with their tail or without, it does not take away from their yorkie look. You will see plenty of yorkies with tails on here as this subject has come up on here a lot.

Highlandyorkies, your yorkies in the picture with their tails are cute with beautiful coats.

DITTO

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by BoBoDiddle

Weird. When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it would be full of posts about how it's cruel to dock tails. I don't think I've seen one post yet making this argument. Interesting.

It's something I don't relish doing, but if done correctly, there is literally no blood, maybe a little yelp.....I think the mother suffers more, so it's usually best to put her outside while it's being done. Bring mom back in, put pups with her and they just cuddle down with the milk machine. Just keep a watch on it till all heals...


Mary

[YorkieMom55]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

.......higher instances of the thinner yorkie tail being broken.

Here's my . I've had both docked and undocked. I've also seen how easy it is for those finely boned tails to break. It's not pretty. It's a permanent "kink" in the tail. It's also very painfull and takes quite awhile to heal. We've had Maltese, ShihTzu & Chi in the family and none have had such a thin boned tail as our Yorkies.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by YorkieMom55

Here's my . I've had both docked and undocked. I've also seen how easy it is for those finely boned tails to break. It's not pretty. It's a permanent "kink" in the tail. It's also very painfull and takes quite awhile to heal. We've had Maltese, ShihTzu & Chi in the family and none have had such a thin boned tail as our Yorkies.

I've even had a puppy with a docked tail have it's tail injured, their tails are very thin.....yes, it does leave a permanent kink....I've also seen it happen to Maltese puppies.

[Heather Taylor]

When Chloe gets happy or excited, my husband coos to her "Wag the nub!" It goes a million miles an hour. I like the docked tail, but in all honesty, because I'm not a breeder or a show person, I think I like it because my gorgeous baby came that way. If I'd gotten her with a full tail, I'd probably prefer that. I love her just the way she is! ADORABLE~

But great calm and logical points on both sides.

[ketters12]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

I've never seen a Yorkie with a full tail in person and I've always wondered something. Does the tail hang down or does it curl over their back like a little piggy tail (like a Maltese tail)?

My little man is 5 months and his tail is NOT docked....SOO cute!! It curls up over his back normally, but his hair is not too long yet, I think I will keep the tail fur shorter so it doesn't get dirty wagging into everything. If I had a good picture of it, i'd post...need to work on getting one i guess...

[pea496]

I don't have a preference. Conner's tail came docked, but I would take an undocked tail as well.

[PuppyLovinNurse]

Originally Posted by Yorkies-Mom

i am so glad that it is NOT illegal. romeo's tail is docked and i prefer that look over a long tail. in my area i have never seen a yorkie with a tail.

I agree. I love the docked look.