Yorkshire Terrier Tail Docking

Overview

The Yorkshire Terrier tail and the issue of docking 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. This article covers: 
  • Countries which allow this & countries that ban this
  • Reasons you should or should not have this procedure done
  • What docking actually is, when and how this is done
  • The difference in appearance between a Yorkie tail that is docked VS one which is not
Yorkshire Terrier with Docked Tail
Yorkshire Terrier with Docked Tail

The Yorkshire Terrier has its tail docked, per AKC official breed standard conformation.

In many other countries, this practice has been banned.

Counties That Dock a Yorkshire Terrier's Tail & Counties That Do Not

In US, 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. therefore, if you plan on showing your dog, you will need to have the docking done.

The ANKC, CKC, NZKC and UKC also call for the Yorkie's tail to be docked.

If the tail will indeed be docked, it is most often the breeder who will be responsible for this, as it is in the best interest of the dog to have this procedure done when they are a very young puppy, at just a few days old. This is often the case if the breeder plans to sell the puppy as a 'show quality dog' that is expected to appear in AKC conformation show rings. 

However, there just as many breeders, who if selling a Yorkie as a pet ( and not as a show prospect) may not have its tail docked. In some cases, a puppy buyer (if a deposit has been given) will be allowed to decide to have the tail docked or kept natural. So, Yorkshire puppies are sold with both natural and docked tails, often depending on whether they are pet or show quality and as per the puppy buyer's choice. 
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 this practice. 

Countries where it is legal to dock a Yorkshire Terrier include:

Bolivia

Canada (but the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association opposes all docking practices) 

Costa Rica

Czech Republic 

Egypt

France 

India

Indonesia

Iran

Japan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malaysia

Morocco

Mauritius

Mexico

Nepal

New Zealand (can only be done to puppies less than 4 days old)

Peru

Philippines

Portugal

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

Thailand

Tunisia

Unites States*


* Currently in the US, only two states have provisions regarding tail docking. In Pennsylvania, it cannot be done without anesthesia on a puppy over the age of 5 days old; however, if a dog is at least 12 weeks old, it may be done under anesthesia. Between the age of 5 days and 12 weeks, it can only be done if a licensed veterinarian deems it medically necessary. In Maryland, docking must be performed using anesthesia. 

Countries where tail docking is banned and you cannot legally dock a Yorkshire Terrier's tail:

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Canada (now prohibited in all provinces except Alberta and Ontario)
Chile
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark (except on 5 gun breeds)
England
Estonia
Finland
Germany (restricted to only certain working gun dogs)
Greece
Hungary 
Iceland
Ireland (restricted to only certain working breeds)
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Scotland
Serbia (except certain working breeds)
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Virgin Islands
Wales (restricted to only certain working breeds)

Reasons to Dock the Tail or Keep it Natural

Yorkshire Terrier with Natural Tail, not Docked

Beau, 10 months, with a natural tail | Photo courtesy of The Stewarts

Aesthetic purposes only:

There is not a reason based on health or happiness to perform Yorkie tail docking. Having a docked tail does not improve any vital element of a dog including motor skills in regard to movement. So, why are Yorkie tails docked?  The only reason is so that the dog fits the breed standard of the AKC and the other canine clubs that call out for it. Therefore, this alteration in appearance is only for aesthetic purposes.

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 that matches closest to breed standard conformation. However, if an owner is planning to show their Yorkie in AKC, ANKC, CKC, NZKC or UKC conformation events, the tail must be docked in order for them to compete.
In some cases, owners have no say in whether the tail is docked or natural, if a breeder makes that decision themselves or if a Yorkshire Terrier has been obtained in some other way (adoption, rescue, etc.). Potential owners are often surprised that when looking at puppies for sale, it is mentioned that this has already been done and they will not have a chance to decide for themselves.

If one does not want their puppy to have a shorter, erect tail, one would normally put a non-refundable deposit down on a pup of an expected litter, with explicit instructions to leave the Yorkie's tail as it is. This is not uncommon and for this reason, there are lots of Yorkies with natural tails. Our own poll regarding this showed a 60/40 ratio, confirming that almost half of all owners of purebreds, have a dog that is left natural.

A note about a natural tail as a communication method: 

A dog's tail is a remarkable tool for communication, expressing a wide range of emotions and intentions. From wagging vigorously in sheer joy to tucking under in fear, the movements of a dog's tail can convey their feelings and attitudes with astonishing clarity. It serves as a barometer of their inner state, offering insights into whether they're feeling friendly, anxious, or even aggressive. The position and motion of the tail can tell us much about what a dog is thinking and feeling, facilitating a deeper understanding and connection between canines and their human companions.


Docking a dog's tail, however, can impact this vital mode of communication. Without a full tail to express themselves, dogs may find it challenging to convey their emotions and intentions to other dogs and to people. This can lead to misunderstandings and confusion in social interactions with other dogs, who rely heavily on tail signals to interpret each other's behavior.


For humans, interpreting a docked dog's mood and intentions can also become more difficult, potentially hindering the bond between pet and pet parent. Docking can detract from a dog's ability to communicate effectively, emphasizing the importance of considering the natural ways dogs express themselves through their tails.

The Docking Procedure

Docking is the procedure that is done to some Yorkie newborns, in some counties, in which their naturally long tail is made shorter via amputation. This is not to be taken lightly, as sort of procedure such as this does cause pain. This docking procedure causes the remaining base of a dog's tail to stand straight and erect. With this breed, it is cut to 1/2 the normal length, thus resulting in a medium sized tail which then will stand up vertically. 

Tail docking is usually done by one of two ways. 

Option 1: Banding Method for Tail Docking: 

This method involves restricting the blood supply to the tail using a rubber band or ligature, a process commonly referred to as "banding." When performed correctly, this technique leads to the natural detachment of the designated portion of the tail. Typically, this procedure is carried out when puppies are between 24 to 96 hours old. The affected part of the tail usually falls off within approximately 3 days after the ligature application.

It's important to ensure that this procedure is done under the guidance and supervision of a veterinary professional to minimize discomfort and prevent complications. The timing of this method is crucial, as it is designed to take advantage of the early age at which puppies can recover more quickly and with minimal distress.

Option 2: Surgical Procedure. The procedure typically involves the use of surgical scissors or a scalpel by a veterinarian and is traditionally performed between 2 to 5 days old, often without anesthesia. This practice is based, in part, on a controversial belief that puppies' nervous systems are not fully developed, potentially minimizing the pain experienced during the procedure. However, it's important to note that the assertion about puppies' nervous systems not being fully developed and their capacity to feel pain is contentious among veterinary professionals and animal welfare advocates.


In addition, the choice not to use anesthesia is due to the associated risks in very young puppies, where the potential complications from anesthesia are considered greater than the procedure's brief discomfort.

Late Age Docking: If tail docking is not performed in the early days after birth, it is often advised to wait until the puppy is older than 10 weeks. At this stage, the procedure would be carried out under anesthesia to manage pain. This delayed procedure is considered more complex and is classified as major surgery, involving a longer and more challenging recovery period.



In adult Yorkshire Terriers, tail docking might be necessary due to severe trauma or injury to the tail, such as being caught in a door. In these cases, the procedure is performed under anesthesia to ensure the dog's comfort and safety.

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 young age of 2 to 5 days. Anesthesia is not used as it is considered a risk at this age. 

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...This is why it is done so early in their life...If done later, it would be considered a major surgery and would be quite painful.

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 un-docked adult dog many need to have this done due to severe trauma to the tail...while rare, this can happen due to injury (a door is accidentally closed on the tail, etc). .

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