Complete Guide On Yorkshire Terrier Tail (Do Yorkies Have Tails)

This article is for information purposes only and aims to provide you with everything you should know about the Yorkshire Terrier tail (Yorkie tail).

Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies, are toy-sized dogs. They were first bred in the 19th century in the English city of Yorkshire, hence their name.

Yorkshire Terriers can be found with long or short hair. When they have long hair, it is usually tied into a top knot on the dog’s head, just above the ears. 

Read Also: Yorksky (Husky And Yorkie Mix) Information, Pictures, & More

This makes it easier to track which end is the head and which end is the backside of Yorkies!

It’s worth mentioning, however, that it is typically the adult Yorkies who have long hair. Puppies are almost always born with shorter hair and will only grow longer as they reach adulthood. However, do Yorkies have tails?

Do Yorkies have tails?

Yes, Yorkies do have tails. They are what is known as a double-tailed breed. The tail isn’t just one long tail that splits into two parts; rather, a short tail and a longer tail come out of the same area. Not every Yorkie has both an inner and an outer tail: some dogs will have one or the other.

Yorkie Tail Appearance

The length of a dog’s tail depends on what type of Yorkie they belong to. There are two types: those which still have their tails and those which don’t.

There’s no difference between these two groups regarding personality or anything like that. The only difference is that some will have tails, while others won’t.

The longest tails are found on Yorkies born with their long hair tied into a top knot. Those without the top knot will typically have shorter tails that curl tightly to their body’s right or left side. These curled tails usually rest close to the dog’s front legs and don’t stretch out much further than this.

Sizes of Tails in Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkies may be born with full-length tails – these are not docked by breeders – which reach down all the way to the ground when they’re standing up straight. 

If you hold your hand out and make a square shape, this is the size it should resemble if measured against your Yorkie’s tail.

In contrast, those born without tails will have what are called ‘post-docked’ tails. These do not stretch out as far as full-length tails and also curl tightly to the side of the dog’s body when standing up straight. These post-docked tails typically measure between 4 and 7 inches in terms of measurement.

Even though they don’t normally have long or medium-length tails, Yorkshire Terriers can still be taught to walk on a leash with them! They may take a little longer than a dog with a long tail would, but it’s definitely something that can be done – you just need to be patient.

Yorkshire Terrier Tail Color

The color of your Yorkie’s tail will vary depending on the color of his or her coat. Some Yorkshire Terriers are born with white hair all over their tails, while others have dark brown, black, or grey-colored tails. 

This is one of the easiest identifiers for telling the difference between male and female dogs because often, this coloring is linked to their fur coloration.

Why the Yorkie has a Tail in the First Place

It may come as a surprise that Yorkshire Terriers actually do have tails; it’s not common knowledge that they do! Many people think that all dogs are born with tails, but this isn’t true at all – not even for every breed of dog. 

This is why it might seem like an odd question to ask if Yorkies have tails or not. Yorkies are given this ‘surprising’ title because their long flowing coats make them resemble other breeds that don’t have tails (the most similar looking dog would probably be Poodles). 

The confusion starts when you realize that these long coats can often hide their actual tail length, so it’s not obvious that they actually do have one.

Grooming of Yorkshire Terrier Tail

Grooming a Yorkshire Terrier’s tail can be a very easy process, especially if their tails aren’t too long. This is because it will only take a couple of minutes to brush them out and remove any tangles or knots that have built up while they’ve been running around outdoors!

Brushing your Yorkie’s coat regularly will also stop their tails from becoming matted, which is something you definitely want to avoid. You don’t want to try using scissors or clippers either – these are tools that professionals should use only.

Any damage done could make the dog feel uncomfortable and may even cause them great distress. It could result in serious medical complications for your dog in extreme cases, so you should always leave it to a professional groomer.

If you feel like your Yorkie has shorter or longer tails than others, this is probably due to the type of haircut they had when they were given their most recent grooming.

Some owners choose to cut their dogs’ hair short to help prevent mats and tangles from getting too out of control. Others may leave it long, although this isn’t recommended because it can get in the way when the dog is running around outside.

They might also be at risk of injuring themselves on overgrown and sharp hairs which stick out from their tails in an odd direction – if this happens, you might need to seek medical treatment for them!

Yorkies with Long Tails

This is fairly rare; it usually only happens if the Yorkie was born with a full-length tail. If they are given professional grooming, their tails can be kept to a manageable length that doesn’t require much brushing or maintenance.

Suppose you own a Yorkshire Terrier with long hair that has been allowed to grow out fairly freely. In that case, it’s important not to leave them unattended in areas where there could be other dogs who might unintentionally take their tail as prey. This is especially true of hunting dogs! 

Although many breeds are now taught not to harm other animals unnecessarily, it only takes one bad apple to ruin things for everyone else – so make sure your Yorkie gets plenty of exercise before letting them off the leash at the park.

As well as this danger from other dogs, there is another risk: biting. If other dogs attack your Yorkie and they choose to use their tail as a defense mechanism, it could become damaged or even bitten off entirely! This will leave you with a distressed dog who might need medical care beyond what you can give them at home – so always keep this in mind before letting them loose around others.

Yorkshire Terriers with Short Tails

These kinds of Yorkshire Terriers are the most common because owners often like to shorten their tails to ensure that mats and tangles don’t form. 

Cutting short hair also allows for more control over the appearance of the tail; if left long, it could eventually hang below the line where the dog’s back end meets his or her body.

For those who prefer a neater appearance, this can be avoided by having the hair cut to a length that’s shorter than the dog’s natural hair would have been.

Keeping it Short

If you’re planning to keep your Yorkie’s hair short during their entire life, then there isn’t really any need for you to brush it every day; only two or three times a week should be enough. 

However, if you’ve got an older Yorkshire Terrier who has gradually let their coat grow out since the last time they were given professional grooming, then it may take longer and require more maintenance and care on your part.

Do Yorkies have curly Tails?

Yorkies with white hair on their tails can have straight or curly hair. This usually depends on how thick it is – if many individual hairs stick out from the tail, they will probably curl together to form ringlets, while those with less dense coats may have a fluffy appearance without any curls.

On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers who have dark-colored tails usually don’t have any wave in their coats unless they’re mixed breed dogs as well as Yorkies. 

In these cases, owners should expect them to be mostly straight but sometimes wavy or even slightly curled at the tips depending on how tightly the individual hairs are coiled together.

In terms of grooming and caring for your dog’s coat and tail, it’s best to pay attention to the individual dog and what he or she is most comfortable with. 

If your Yorkie is still fairly young, you can gradually introduce them to longer hair by taking them slowly and getting used to brushing and other grooming tools.

Do Yorkshire Terriers get their tails docked?

Yorkshire Terriers can be born with short or long hair and straight or curly tails. However, in the US and UK, it’s still popular to cut off a Yorkie’s tail when they’re puppies, although dogs with naturally longer hair may never need this done to them at all.

Short Tails for Show Dogs

Due to their popularity as show dogs, many breeders choose to cut off dogs’ tails when they’re young because it makes them more competitive against other animals who also have their tails removed at birth; however, this seems cruel, especially since some dogs are born without any tail at all. 

For example, Doberman Pinschers often have one or two vertebrae left, while German Shepherds usually have a nub that is sometimes removed while the dog is still young.

So what happens when you dock a Yorkshire Terrier?

The process of cutting off a dog’s tail is called docking, and it involves surgically removing their tails. At the same time, they’re still puppies and haven’t had a chance to develop any muscle memory that would make this surgery painful for them later. 

However, if your Yorkie was born with a full tail, there will be no way to avoid causing them pain during or after this procedure unless you choose not to have it done.

Is Docking Legal in the UK?

In 2007, the UK made docking dogs’ tails illegal without a license from an approved veterinarian – but only in Wales. However, in Scotland, the practice is still legal but only for certain breeds such as working dogs like Cattle Dogs and German Shepherds who need their tails to help them with herding and other tasks.

Is Docking Legal in the US?

Even though tail docking is still legal in the US, many veterinarians refuse to perform the surgery on dogs too young for anesthesia or if they have not been given a proper painkiller before being docked.

Furthermore, some vets claim that it’s cruel to continue this practice on puppies’ tails. Still, others have no problem with it since it’s just part of what keeps Yorkie show dogs competitively against other animals who may win awards simply because their tails are cut off at birth.

Some breeders choose to keep Yorkshire Terriers born with full tails intact even if they’re going to be sold as show dogs since they don’t want this particular procedure to be performed so early in life. 

However, if your Yorkie is born with a full tail, you should never have it docked since this will cause them unnecessary pain and discomfort later on.

So what was the point of docking all of these breeds’ tails if it’s no longer considered a necessity?

The original reason why so many dog owners chose to cut off their pets’ tails has been lost somewhere over time. Still, some believe that tail docking was originally done to prevent injuries while hunting or herding animals on large pieces of land. 

Others think tail docking started because some people preferred to have them this way – possibly stemming from European fashion trends throughout history.

How do you dock a Terrier’s tail?

To dock a Terrier’s tail, a veterinarian must anesthetize the dog and shave its tail down to the first or second joint. The tail is then cut off with surgical scissors or a scalpel blade while it’s clamped just a few centimeters below the base of the animal.

After this, the end of the amputated portion is cauterized (burned) in order to stop it from bleeding; but at this point, your Yorkshire Terrier will be wide awake again – without their short, docked tails that are more popular than ever before!

How To Groom Docked Yorkshire Terrier Tails

The best way to groom a docked Yorkie is to use the same care you would give an animal with its full tail. Groom them regularly and pay special attention to the hair around their bottom since this needs to be cleaned every day if necessary. 

Although it looks like your dog no longer has any tail, you should never let them near anything that could catch on their docked part because they will still feel pain even though they cannot wag or move it.

How To Groom UNDocked Yorkshire Tails

Grooming of undocked tails

If your Yorkie is born without a docked tail, then you don’t have to worry about docking them early in life, and instead, you need to pay attention to grooming their tails just like any other breed would.

The hair around their bottom needs to be trimmed often as well as brushed regularly – particularly if they’re going to be spending time outside during the summer months when the weather gets warmer.

Since dogs with full tails tend to wag them from side to side frequently, it’s important for you to frequently brush out the hair around their bottoms since this part of a dog can get very dirty!

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Types of Yorkshire Terrier tails

There are several different types of Yorkshire Terrier tails, including:

• Docked – a docked Yorkie has had its full tail removed surgically.
• Natural – a dog with a complete, natural tail that’s never been cut. This breed standard is rare, and more often than not, these kinds of dogs have to be “docked” as puppies if you plan on entering them into any show ring. 
• Undocked – no docking has been done to the Yorkie’s tail, and this type of animal is becoming increasingly rare in today’s world where everything from tails to ears is being cut down soon after birth to conform to breed standards set out kennel clubs.
• Long – some owners prefer their Yorkies with long tails instead, which tend to get dirty and matted more than the short, docked variety. If your Yorkie has a long tail, you should consider giving it a “puppy cut” so that it’s easier to maintain and keep clean.
• Stumpy – some Yorkshire Terriers have their tails cut off at the second joint, leaving them with a very short tail that looks like they’re hardly capable of wagging it properly! These dogs can usually move their tails but only from side-to-side – not up and down – since it lacks bones or muscles necessary for this type of movement.
• Tapered – these kinds of owners prefer their Yorkies’ tails cut so that they become narrower towards the tip, which can be tapered into a very fine point. It’s important to note that the hair should never be cut too short since this can lead to painful sores and serious infections if left untreated for an extended period.

Yorkshire terriers with natural tails

Some Yorkshire Terriers are born with long, white hairs attached to their full tails, which should fall out within 5 months of birth. If these “flag” hairs don’t fall out at this stage, they should do so within the next few months.

Yorkies with natural tails are born with long white bushy tails. These are called flag hairs. The flag hairs fall out within 5 or 6 months of birth. If these flag hairs don’t fall off, it will happen in the next 4 to 6 months after that period has passed by until they finally drop out.

On rare occasions, Yorkshire Terriers are born without their “flag” hair. However, even these dogs have long tails that can be docked just like other Yorkie puppies who will likely need to have them cut down as far as possible once they’re old enough for anesthesia and surgery if you plan on entering your dog into a show ring.

Suppose you’re looking for a breed of dog that doesn’t require any docking procedure. In that case, the Yorkshire Terrier will not make a good choice since it’s still considered “normal” by many breeders, and Yorkies with full tails are no longer accepted as show dogs in certain kennel circles.

Undocked or Long – Which is the best? 

Regardless of which type of tail you prefer, it’s important for you as a dog owner to learn all about your breed’s genetic history before making any decisions about their tails. 

For example, the study of genetics tells us that Yorkies with docked tails can be traced back as far as 13th century England where they were used for hunting small vermin such as rats, mice, and other pests – meaning there may be some truth regarding Yorkshire Terriers having naturally short tails.

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America has no official stance on whether or not breeders should be docking dogs’ tails or not and many kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) accept both docked and undocked Yorkshire Terriers in their show rings. This means that it ultimately comes down to personal preference when breeding for this kind of dog. 

If you’re interested in purchasing a puppy, make sure you ask the breeder what type of tail your Yorkie was born with and how they plan on caring for it throughout their lifetime!

Yorkie tail docked vs. undocked – Which is the best?

Which do you prefer?

While the debate over whether it’s more “ethical” to dock a Yorkie’s tail or not still rages on, we can say with certainty that regardless of what kind of tail your dog has, it’ll need to be groomed and brushed regularly. 

While docked tails tend to get dirty and matted more often than undocked ones, regardless of the length of their tail, all breeds should be bathed at least once per month, and pets with natural tails should have them brushed every other day!

There’s nothing wrong with either one – as long as they’re getting proper care and hygiene! It all comes down to personal preference, but if it were me, I’d probably prefer my dog to have a docked tail so that they can compete in more shows without any problems.

Are docked tails more hygienic?

Like I’ve mentioned before, there’s no definite answer as far as docking vs. undocking goes. Ultimately, whether you choose to dock or not dock your Yorkie’s tail depends on what kind of grooming habits you plan on instilling throughout their lifetime. 

If you want them to be in shows without any trouble (regardless of whether it’s legal or not), then you should dock their tail! 

However, if your dog will be a companion and/or family pet, then I don’t think docking is necessary.

If we were to talk about hygiene, docked tails tend to get dirty and matted more often than undocked ones – regardless of how frequently they’re bathed. 

All breeds (regardless of length) should be bathed at least twice per month, and pets with natural tails need them brushed every other day to avoid any serious health problems as time goes on!

Yorkie Docked Tail Problems

Regardless of whether they have a docked or undocked tail, all Yorkshire Terriers face certain kinds of health problems associated with their tails. 

Specifically speaking, these issues tend to be more common in dogs with long or natural-looking tails that don’t receive any professional grooming throughout the month.

First and foremost, if your Yorkie’s tail is continually getting dirty and matted – regardless of how frequently they’re bathed – contact your veterinarian immediately! 

Dogs that let their tails become caked with mud and dirt are at risk for serious infections that can lead to permanent hair loss and even paralysis as time goes on.

Don’t use normal scissors or clippers if you decide to cut your dog’s tail short since these can cause more harm than good. Instead, take your Yorkie to a professional groomer specializing in cutting hair and talk it over with them first. After all, your pet’s safety should always be a top priority!

How do Yorkies communicate with their tails?

Since Yorkshire Terriers are a smaller breed, they tend to use their tails as a sign of communication.

Dogs communicate in many different ways; some send out obvious signals while others are more subtle. The tail position is one-way dogs instinctively tell how they’re feeling.

A tail tucked between the legs is usually a sign that they’re feeling scared or uncertain, while an upright, straight tail usually means that your dog is calm and content. 

There are always some exceptions, but these are the most common meanings when it comes to body language!

At What Age Do You Dock A Yorkie’s tail?

The age at which you should dock a Yorkie’s tail is definitely an important consideration since it’ll allow you to work without worrying about getting tangled in the cord.

Most breeders and show dogs dock their puppy’s tails when they’re between 3-7 days old. This way, your pup can grow up with a long, beautiful tail that will be less prone to problems later on!

Even though docking is considered a cosmetic procedure by many people, there are some medical benefits for your dog as well – especially if they have natural tails that tend to get dirty or matted throughout the day. 

Since Yorkshire Terriers love playing outside so much, they’re more likely to get their tails dirty than most other breeds. Docking their tail early on will help you avoid any serious skin problems that can potentially occur with natural tails!

Whether or not you decide to dock your pup’s tail is ultimately up to you. However, it is highly recommended by veterinarians and experienced breeders alike. If you’re looking for the best possible care for your furry little friend, then docked tails are a must if you so wish!

Yorkie Tail docking cost (How much does docking a Yorkie tail cost)?

The cost to dock a Yorkie’s tail is about $80-$100 per dog. The cost of docking tails varies depending on the veterinary practice where you take your pup to be groomed. 

Tail docking is usually done when puppies are between 3-7 days old, so it’s important that you get the procedure done at the appropriate age for their breed.

Some practices also require that you bring your puppy back 7-10 days later for their tails to be bandaged again before they leave. This second visit typically costs extra and can vary widely depending on where you live and how busy different vet clinics tend to get!

While I’m aware that some people feel compelled to dock Yorkies’ tails because they look “funny,” there isn’t anything all that special about their natural tails. 

They may be a bit more curious than other breeds, which can lead to them getting their tail caught in things or rubbing it too hard against a fence or wall, but there’s no reason to pay extra money for docking services if you want your pup to have a long tail that doesn’t require any daily maintenance!

Overall, I’d highly recommend looking into where you live and seeing how much different veterinary clinics cost when it comes to docking tails before choosing which procedure you want to go with. 

Since there are many different factors involved, the cost of caring for your Yorkshire Terrier will vary from individual to individual.

Are Yorkies right for me?

Whether or not Yorkshire Terriers are the right kind of breed for you depends on what type of lifestyle you plan on having for your dog. As I’ve mentioned before, Yorkies should be brushed twice per day and bathed at least twice every month to avoid any serious health problems as time goes on.

Even if you’re not home most of the day or don’t like taking dogs with long hair into public places, Yorkshire Terriers still make great pets! They’re very independent (most of the time) and can easily be trained to stay in a crate during the day if necessary. 

If you do plan on showing or breeding your pet down the line, you’ll need to spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars over their lifetime to get the proper grooming supplies, training, and veterinary care. 

However, if you just want a furry friend to bring along on walks or cuddle with at night, then I’d highly recommend getting your baby a good brush and shampoo so they can live their best life!

Yorkies make wonderful doggy companions. Like most terriers, they are affectionate, outgoing, and very bright. They may be reserved with strangers but quickly warm up once they know someone. 

Yorkshire Terriers tend to be quite loyal to their owners, often following them around the house and forming strong bonds with kids in the family. Though small, Yorkies have big personalities that make for fantastic pets!

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