Tail docking after 8 weeks?

[Lacy's Mom]

I have read all the posts about tail docking. I just found out that the little girl I have placed a deposit on is undocked. At first, I was a little upset since I've already become attached to her through emails. After reading a lot of posts I think it won't really matter and I know if I was a breeder I wouldn't want to have it done (but wanted someone else to do the "dirty work" for me). Both of my Yorkies were docked and I liked the way it looked. Has anyone had a Yorkie's tail docked later in life. She's only expected to get in the two pound range so I'm sure anethesia would have to wait until she was spayed at an older age. Might consider docking the tail at that time, but haven't heard from anyone who has done this. Seems like this may be cruel and she might have symptoms of a "ghost tail" since it wasn't removed early in life.

[YorkieRose]

I would not remove her tail now..no reason, tails are darling. I perfer them off if I have the option, but would not do it once they are past docking time.

[mustangbee]

I would leave her tail. Why put her in all that pain. The tails are cute, so why take them off in the first place. I don't really know whos idea that was, but I'd bet they would like to keep their tails on.

[txshopper73]

Leave it or discuss with your vet your options. But, it will be a painful recovery for her at this point.

[SnowWa]

I had a two-year old dog's tail docked because of an injury (we had no choice). And it wasn't a painful recovery at all. I'm not sure he even knew it had been done. The one good thing as far as recovery is concerned is that the end of a docked tail almost never touches or bumps into anything.

I think it was sore for only a few days, and there wasn't even much of a sore area at the end of the tail. It had a few stitches and healed quickly.

So - I don't think the surgery would be much to worry about - but, I have been noticing a lot more Yorkies with longer tails, and they are cute too.

If you do decide to do it - having it done during another procedure is certainly the way to go. But - still get your vet's advise about doing it. You certainly do have a tiny little dog.

I personally like the docked tail. It better fits what my concept of a Yorkie is. But, if we get used to seeing more Yorkies with long tails...that will seem to be they way they are supposed to be also.

Carol Jean

[bugaboosmom]

I would leave it. By the time she is old enough to have surgery it will be considered an amputation. IMO It's just not that important.

[chachi]

I would leave the tail alone. If I had the choice I wish my dogs had their tails. I think that would be putting your dog through unneeded pain.

[whispersmom2]

The research that I have done says that the amputation of the tail can cause complications. And, at that age the surgery is amputation.
I have a pet who was too small at 4-5 days to dock. The vet also would not do it either so I have a sweetheart who has a full tail and dewclaws.
I LOVE the tails on my Biewtis (parti/Biewer mix) and they are not docked. Of course, the Biewers will be left au naturelle...
Unless you are gonna show, the undocked tail will have no effect on your Yorkie..JMO

[livingdustmops]

I love Yorkie's with tails for pets...just more to love and instead of being dust mops they could now dust the top of your tables

[sandraj]

my little Yorkie/Silky cross has her tail and loves to wag it furiously.She is adorable. Unless you want to show her,leave her with it.

[AsCeNsIoN]

I think they look lovely with tails It's illegal to dock tails in Europe these days. The standards are changing I think. Who knows maybe one day it'll be illegal all over the world.

[alisonJ]

WE LOVE TAILS I hope you keep your pup intact. I agree with Ascension--I think it will eventually be outlawed in the U.S. as it is in much of Europe.

[Maggie123]

A littler of puppies that my yorkie had was not docked. I'm not a breeder so i didnt even know about docking. All babies got sold within 3 days of advertising, and everyone is happy with their undocked yorkie. The whole prone-to-having -an accident thing is what worries me...the tail geting stuck in a door or soemthign like that. But the tails looks adorable. You can trim the tail to very short hair all along the tail but then leave the end fluffy and longhaired...it willl look like a pom pomm...so cute. You can even tie a bow on it sometimes...hehe...cute.

[heather_lathrop]

Originally Posted by mustangbee

I would leave her tail. Why put her in all that pain. The tails are cute, so why take them off in the first place. I don't really know whos idea that was, but I'd bet they would like to keep their tails on.

I agree, thats pain that is not needed.. And at this point its going to be bad!

[ldenise]

My sister in law has a yorkie that she received with full tail. they wanted the tail docked. I don't remember how old he was, somewhere around the 4 or 5 month age. They didn't have any problems with him.
I am one who don't agree with the tail docking but all of mine are docked. we even had the pups done. (my husband insisted). he said they are supposed to and should be done.
I think full tails are pretty. golly, to me, there is no way to screw up the looks of a yorkie, or any dog for that matter. they all look good to me.