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.
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.
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's recommended to wait until the puppy is older than 10 weeks. this is done with the dog under anesthesia, and can be done when you spayed or neutered your pet.