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Yorkie Tail Docking
Overview
Tail docking on the Yorkie is a very controversial subject.
In the US, per AKC standard, the Yorkie should have its tail docked to a medium length.
There are many other countries around the world that ban the procedure of docking a dog's tail.
Let's discuss:
Tail docking on the Yorkie is a very controversial subject.
In the US, per AKC standard, the Yorkie should have its tail docked to a medium length.
There are many other countries around the world that ban the procedure of docking a dog's tail.
Let's discuss:
- Countries which allow this & countries that ban this
- Reasons you should or should not dock the tail
- What docking actually is
- When & how this is done
This Yorkshire Terrier has its tail docked; per AKC official breed standard conformation. While completely accepted in the US, there are many countries that have banned this practice.
Counties That Dock the Yorkie & Counties That do Not
In American, the largest and most respected dog breed club, the AKC (American Kennel Club) lists the official conformation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed to have a docked tail, to a medium length.
Most breeders will have this done, as it is in the best interest of the dog to have this procedure done when they are a very young puppy. However, there are some breeders, who if selling a Yorkie as a pet ( and not as a show prospect) may not have its tail docked. Never-the-less, the majority of breeders in American will lhave the tail docked.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals oppose tail docking and have worked very hard to pass laws banning this. Since 2007, many countries have banned docking.
Countries who ban docking are:
In American, the largest and most respected dog breed club, the AKC (American Kennel Club) lists the official conformation of the Yorkshire Terrier breed to have a docked tail, to a medium length.
The ANKC, CKC, NZKC and UKC also call for the Yorkie's tail to be docked.
Most breeders will have this done, as it is in the best interest of the dog to have this procedure done when they are a very young puppy. However, there are some breeders, who if selling a Yorkie as a pet ( and not as a show prospect) may not have its tail docked. Never-the-less, the majority of breeders in American will lhave the tail docked.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association and the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals oppose tail docking and have worked very hard to pass laws banning this. Since 2007, many countries have banned docking.
Countries who ban docking are:
- Australia
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Reasons to Dock or Not Dock the Tail of a Yorkie
There is not reason based on the health or happiness to dock the tail of a Yorkie. Having a docked tail does not improve any vital element of the dog including motor skills or health. Why are Yorkie tails docked? The only reason is so that the dog fits the breed standard of the AKC and the other dog clubs that call out for it.
If the owner of a Yorkie is not planning on showing their dog in dog shows, there is no reason to dock the tail, other than a personal preference to have a dog who matches closest to breed standard conformation.
If an owner is planning to show their Yorkie in an AKC, ANKC, CKC, NZKC or UKC Conformation Event, the tail must be docked.
This procedure is done solely for appearance.
There is not reason based on the health or happiness to dock the tail of a Yorkie. Having a docked tail does not improve any vital element of the dog including motor skills or health. Why are Yorkie tails docked? The only reason is so that the dog fits the breed standard of the AKC and the other dog clubs that call out for it.
If the owner of a Yorkie is not planning on showing their dog in dog shows, there is no reason to dock the tail, other than a personal preference to have a dog who matches closest to breed standard conformation.
If an owner is planning to show their Yorkie in an AKC, ANKC, CKC, NZKC or UKC Conformation Event, the tail must be docked.
This procedure is done solely for appearance.
If an owner is planning to not show their Yorkie in an AKC, ANKC, CKC, NZKC or UKC Conformation Event, there is no reason that a tail must be docked. However, many owners will not have a say, as most will obtain their Yorkie puppy well after the procedure has already been done.
If an owner is living in a country in which this is banned, certainly we suggest to not have the tail docked.
What Exactly is Docking?
Docking is the procedure that is done to Yorkie puppies, in many counties, in which their naturally long tail is made shorter. via amputation. This causes the dog's tail to stand straight and erect.
How is a Yorkie's Tail Docked? When is the Tail Docked on a Yorkie?
If an owner is living in a country in which this is banned, certainly we suggest to not have the tail docked.
What Exactly is Docking?
Docking is the procedure that is done to Yorkie puppies, in many counties, in which their naturally long tail is made shorter. via amputation. This causes the dog's tail to stand straight and erect.
How is a Yorkie's Tail Docked? When is the Tail Docked on a Yorkie?
This can be done in 1 of 2 ways.
The 1st involves constricting the blood supply to the Yorkie tail with a rubber ligature for a few days . When done correctly, the top part of the tail will fall off. This is normally done when the puppy is 24 to 96 hours old. The puppy's tail falls off in about 3 days.
The 2nd involves the cutting of the dog's tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel, performed by a veterinarian. When done this way, it is normally done at the age of 2 to 5 days. Anesthesia is not used. When carried out correctly, the procedure causes only a brief period of discomfort. Why? Because the puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.
If a puppy does not have this done at the above early age, it is then recommended to wait until the puppy is older than 10 weeks. Why? Because the older puppy or dog will feel quite a bit of pain. Therefore, this is done with the dog under anesthesia. It is dangerous for a very young puppy to be under anesthesia, so the procedure is put on hold until the Yorkie is older.
In some cases, an undocked adult dog many need to have this done due to severe trauman to the tail.
The 1st involves constricting the blood supply to the Yorkie tail with a rubber ligature for a few days . When done correctly, the top part of the tail will fall off. This is normally done when the puppy is 24 to 96 hours old. The puppy's tail falls off in about 3 days.
The 2nd involves the cutting of the dog's tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel, performed by a veterinarian. When done this way, it is normally done at the age of 2 to 5 days. Anesthesia is not used. When carried out correctly, the procedure causes only a brief period of discomfort. Why? Because the puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.
If a puppy does not have this done at the above early age, it is then recommended to wait until the puppy is older than 10 weeks. Why? Because the older puppy or dog will feel quite a bit of pain. Therefore, this is done with the dog under anesthesia. It is dangerous for a very young puppy to be under anesthesia, so the procedure is put on hold until the Yorkie is older.
In some cases, an undocked adult dog many need to have this done due to severe trauman to the tail.
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