There are still many Yorkshire Terrier breeders docking the tails of their puppies. They tell me they have to dock the tails because the public do not want Yorkies with long tails!

Breeders breeding "for what the public want" must not be supported. This is the only way they will stopped.

This is what SAVC has to say about tail docking:

"The South African Veterinary Council policy on tail docking in dogs

Introduction

The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) is the statutory body that regulates the veterinary and para-veterinary professions. The SAVC is empowered by the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act of 1982 to set and maintain professional standards for these professions. All veterinarians are obliged by law to register with Council in order to work as veterinarians. Council is committed to the promotion of health and well-being for all animals.

The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA), on the other hand, is a professional organisation with voluntary membership. The SAVA is officially represented on the SAVC.

What is tail docking?

Tail docking is the amputation of a dog’s tail at varying lengths to suit the recommendations of a breed standard. Docking involves the amputation of the puppy’s tail with scissors or a scalpel. Sometimes rubber bands are used, although this method has never been advocated by veterinarians. The cut goes through many highly sensitive nerves in the skin, cartilage and bone. This procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic, or with a local anaesthetic, at three to five days of age. A small number of dogs are born naturally without a tail.

What does the SAVC say about tail docking?

The SAVC has decided that as of I June 2008 it will no longer condone routine tail docking of puppies by veterinarians.

The reasons for the decision are as follows:

Tail docking, even if performed with local anaesthesia, causes pain and stress to young puppies. Recent research in pain management indicates clearly that puppies, even at a few days of age, have a fully developed nervous system and a well-developed sense of pain. Sometimes, tail docking results in serious complications such as bleeding, infection and even the death of the puppy. There can also be complications later in life such as neuroma formation.

Tail docking does not provide any benefit to puppies. Traditionally, some breeders considered a docked tail necessary to fulfil the working functions of the dog. Today many working breeds are kept as house pets and only a small percentage are used for field work, which is a recreational activity for people and not an essential function. If dogs of breeds that are customarily docked are left with intact tails, they are not more likely to get tail injuries than dogs of other breeds. Dogs need their tails for balance and body language.

If a procedure that causes pain has no immediate or future benefit for the animal and may lead to complications, it is unnecessary and should not be performed.

The history of tail docking:

The practice of tail docking started hundreds of years ago, when people were far more complacent about the welfare of animals than they are today. It became common in the Middle Ages in Britain and Western Europe . Many theories have been proposed for the beginning of the practice. These include prevention of rabies, prevention of back injury, increasing the speed of the docked dog and prevention of tail damage due to fighting. Some breeds are born without tails or with a stumpy tail due to a genetic abnormality. Normal littermates of these breeds were usually docked to give the breed a uniform appearance. Today, there is no justifiable reason to dock a puppy’s tail.

How do vets feel about tail docking?

Many veterinarians reluctantly perform tail docking in order to ensure that the procedure is at least done by a veterinarian, and to minimise the pain and suffering caused to the pups. Some vets refuse to perform the procedure because of welfare reasons, while there are some vets still willing to continue doing it. Most vets condemn the practice.

What the decision means:

Veterinarians who perform tail docking, unless for justifiable medical reasons, will be liable for prosecution under the Animal Protection Act no 71 of 1962. Veterinarians found guilty under this act, will automatically be investigated for unprofessional conduct by the SAVC under the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982.

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), as the body primarily responsible with applying the tenets of the Animal Protection Act has in the past not enforced the relevant clause in the Act due to the fact that the SAVC has in the past “condoned” the performing of the procedure. This created a legal loophole that would have made successful prosecution of any person based on the Animal Protection Act unlikely to succeed. This has now changed with the SAVC decision. Although the SAVC decision only directly affects veterinarians, lay people who perform the procedure will now also be liable under the Animal Protection Act.

Why hasn’t the SAVC said anything about tail docking in sheep?

The SAVC has invited input from veterinarians on all procedures such as tail docking in other species, dehorning, declawing, removal of vocal chords and other similar procedures. Each of these has different risks and benefits, all of which will be carefully considered before the SAVC decides whether the procedure should be condoned or not. If the benefit of a procedure outweighs the risk to the animal, then it is in the animal’s best interest to have the procedure done. If the procedure provides no benefit or a very small benefit compared to the risks, then the procedure should not be performed. Tail docking in sheep is done for different reasons than in dogs, thus it cannot be judged on the same basis in different species.

How you can help:

You can help the SAVC implement the decision by doing the following:
Do not buy puppies without tails.
Insist that the breeder from whom you buy your dogs does not dock tails.
Encourage your dog club or organisation to stop advocating tail docking. "

Please all of you, FOR THE LOVE OF YORKIES.............

Very informative, Janine! My Cash had his tail docked by his breeder's husband because the vet refused to do it. I still feel a little guilty that I bought Cash from such terrible breeders, but he stole my heart when I saw him all scared and bewildered. We walked a long and hard road to get where we are today and I am still angry about his tail! When he was this little 8 week old puppy and I touched his tail, he would cry. I felt so sorry for him that people can be so cruel.

June, on the other hand, has a full tail (I refuse to buy another docked puppy) and it is gorgeous. I have never cut the hair on her tail, so it makes a pretty fan when she waves it

Tail docking is a medieval practice and I am very, very happy that it is outlawed.

Janine, since the breed standard hasn't been amended to include a tail, what does the show ring expect from a full tail? I read in a recent article that the tail should be held at 45 degrees (like the docked one), but it shouldn't curl over the dog's back. What's your experience?

The tail should be carried slightly higher than the back and for a full tail a 45 degree angle should be about correct.

The tail carriage has a lot to do with the setting of the tail. high or low. A high tail setting will be carried higher than the back, but with a low tail setting you will have a problem.



Porsche as a puppy being trained to carry her tail in the correct position for showing.

I just feel that God made them with tails for a reason - it's only us humans who feel it is our right to change them according to what WE feel is the "standard". my mom's jack russell had her tail docked by the breeder with a knife I only found out AFTER taking the puppy home otherwise i would have freaked out. she has been fine, but i think they look pretty cute with their tails! and mine love to chase them in dizzy circles so I believe they are there for a reason

That is one more reason I am so happy with my Biewers, the standard calls for a "White tip on the Tail" so if you dock it it is no longer according to the standard.

There's a luck!

It is horrible that some breeders still dock the tails!! It is for cosmetic reasons and not for the benefit of the dog!

With this litter that I have now, they were 3 days old and I noticed the one boy's tail was broken out of the blue, so the mommy must have stepped on his tail! Poor baby! So unfortunately his tail had to be docked because the vet said that even if she breaks it straight again, it won't be completely straight and it could have caused more discomfort and pain for the puppy! So now he's the odd one out without his tail because his brother and sister still have theirs!!

Oh no!!!! Poor boy!!!

Hope he is much better now?

OH! Poor baby. I agree like with the dew claws if there is a medical reason then that should be done but not just because PEOPLE prefer them that way.

Have any of you read Jock of the Bushveld, the classic by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick? Jock's owner in the book, Sir Percy, had him clipped and docked to the latest STYLE in Staffies. I get confused, but I think it was either clipped ears (to make them pointy) and a long tail or a docked tail and natural ears.
When the pup was a little older, the owner realized that he had cut him in the wrong style

I'm so glad that people are waking up and starting to believe that animals have feelings too! It is terrible for puppy to go through the docking. Recent studies have shown that their nervous systems are totally developed, so they feel every bit of pain, just like a human baby.

Funny I should read this today, my aunt came to visit today, she has 2 yorkies and 1 SPCA X-yorkie and their tails are docked, one of the first things she said when she saw Zoey today was "I can't believe they ever docked such a pretty tail"

Thats True Megs!!! hey are so cute with their tails and I like to read them by what their tails are doing!!!

I can see when they are happy (tails curling up and wagging) and when they are naughty (tails between the legs) or when they are up to mischief (tails just hanging or pointed outward)!!! Its so fascinating for me!!!

I'm trying to picture all of those without a tail & getting the funniest pictures in my head!

That would be an interesting site......

Haha, you should see Cash's tail when he is excited! He has a little stub for a tail (his breeder docked it) and when he waves it, it is so cute!! June has a full tail like Zoey (and most other Yorkies on SAY) and it's beautiful. But Cash? LOL, his little stub can wiggle so quickly when he is happy to see me! It's very funny to watch, LOL. Cash is my one and only dog with a docked tail - I think the practice (where it doesn't serve a purpose like in some gundogs) is barbaric and selfish.

And another thing I never understood: how can you put something in a breed standard which the dog isn't born with? It's like letting people dye a Yorkie to get the proper colours - it's not natural and it can't be passed along genetically, so how can it be part of what the ideal dog for the breed looks like?

I think the Yorkie's beautiful tail should be left just like it is

I always thought it would look weird - I had a jack russell with a docked tail back when it was legal still and then when my parents got their Jack russell with a long tail he looked adorable

My fiance always teases me and says let's get the kitchen knife and chop them off because he knows I love their long tails and I ALWAYS react!

you're right, they were born with long tails so they should keep them and it provides mine with great entertainment chasing their own tails or when they play a game of serious catch they like to bite the others ones tail as they run!

I am of the understanding that Kusa made a statement earlier this year re docking.Think its on the show dog forum....According to them it is the breeders choice...there are many articles for both sides and for me I still prefer a medium docked tail as was the Yorkshire Terrier description. A case was taken out against a breeder and dropped...so now it is the vets who cannot perform the docking but still take out dew claws.

I have had my puppies tails docked by a vet and also by a breeder and I can tell you for sure who I prefer....with the breeder not a sound...with the vet lots of crying and blood.....Maybe this has since changed but I haven't heard as such..much info can be found on the Docked breed association of SA and also Kusa....it is "not illega"l seems to be the result at this stage.

What I do feel strongly about is some of the high fees some vets charge, the rubbish food we are sold and the over inoculation of dogs...to me that is far more likely to hurt our dogs or at the worst not be able to afford the proper medical care.
Hooray for Champion food and people like Marilize who educate us on better nutrition for our babies.So the suitcase got loaded up with their food and will keep a diary of their progress. Barf and Champion Foods feel the way to go ....I am very excited to start.

So I own up to preferring docking and If it were my puppy I would have it done...but correctly and at the right time.
Arelli

Arelli, I respect your opinion on the docked tail and you have a good point: if the breeder does it correctly and without affecting the dog, that's much better than a vet. But sadly, in our case Cash's breeder docked his tail and they even told me that they struggled. To me, this means that they have to cut more than once! And Cash had a lot of pain in his tail when I got him at eight weeks. I couldn't even touch it without him crying. That experience put me off docking tails completely!
But I've also spent some time reading about the docking issue with regards to gun dogs, etc. whose tails get injured. In that case, I'm fine with docking because it is for the comfort and health of the animal. But causing even the slightest pain for something unnecessary doesn't sit right with me, but anyway...

I am very happy to hear that you have stocked up on food and switching your yorkies. It's the best decision you can make for your Yorkies and you'll see that soon. During the transition, it is likely that they may get some runny tummies, but it shouldn't last for more than a few days. If you want to lower the chances, you can give them a probiotic to help their tummies adjust.

I can't wait to hear how they do on their great new food!

I can't wait to get my samples!!

I understand both your points of view Arelli and Marilize! It is probably "preferred preference" I suppose. I personally don't think the tails look bad at all! For breeding or showing a docked tail probably works much better/easier but I don't mind a long tail.

I miust say...I just love my puppy's un-docked tail! Someone came up to me and asked me 'Why didnt the breeder dock her tail?' I explained that its now not allowed and unnecessary. She made no comment on my baby but did say that she saw a jack russle wiht a long tail and it looked ugly. I know she was indirectly talking about Lola. I had a few nasty words in my mind!!!