YORKIE TAILS: an interview with Frank Larrieu
At the same time, if tails were option- al we would have a larger entry as more foreign dogs would come to our shows in the United States. The last couple of World Shows have been in countries where docked tail Yorkshire Terriers have not been able to compete. 3) what is most frus- trating about show- ing a yorkshire terrier with a natural tail? There are a lot of breeders and judges who prefer a docked tail, I, personally have been treated with a lot of respect and have done my fair share of winning with natural tail Yorkshire Terriers. One of the pinnacles of my long career is going Best of Winners with a beautiful natural tail bitch at the York- shire Terrier Club of Greater New York Specialty under respected Breeder/ Judge Kathleen Kolbert. There was an entry of 42 dogs and 52 bitches. The win was special on so many levels. I believe it is the first time a natural tail bitch wins WB and BW at a YTC of GNY by Mark Benson Bendill Silky Terriers
1) Do you believe juDges know how to juDge natural tail yorkies when they see them in the ring? When confronted with a natural tail for the first time, judges could have a problem judging the Yorkshire Terrier. However, the structure, coat condition, texture and color, movement, topline, etc. is still the same. AKC sent a Directive to all judges a while back stating that the overall qual- ity of the dog should be considered when judging any deviations from the standard, including natural tails. 2) why Do you think natural tails shoulD be optional? As a breeder, I would like to have dogs that I breed and own compete in shows in Europe and any other coun- try or continent I choose. Most Euro- pean countries and other countries in Asia and Latin America do not allow dogs with docked tails to compete at their shows.
Specialty. Multi CH Mini Shop Sharman II, “Bella”, also won a beautiful Open Class the next day at YTCA Specialty, under Judge Jason Hoke. A natural tail dog, Multi CH Hunderwood Heritage won WD the same day and RWD the fol- lowing day at YTCA Specialty. 4) Do you think natural tails improve the gene pool? Absolutely. As more foreign dogs come to the United States with natural tails, the gene pool increases. This can only help improve the breed. 5) who influenceD you to consiDer showing natural tail yorkies? who woulD you rec- ommenD, both foreign anD in the us? It has been a natural progression. As more governmental agencies in coun- tries in Europe banned the cropping of tails the more logical, it seemed to show and breed dogs with natural tails. For the last 10 years I have been breeding with a dear friend and well respected breeder in France, Eric Ber- nard, Hunderwood Yorkshire Terriers. Slowly more and more countries not only banned the cropping itself but banned dogs born in other countries being shown with cropped tails. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time until agencies in the United States will follow the same rules and also ban cropping and docking. I hope that the acceptance received in New York paves the way for natural tail dogs to compete on an equal field at all future shows.
“sLowLy More and More countries not onLy BANNED THE CROPPING ITSELF But Banned dogs Born in other countries Being shown with cropped taiLs.”
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