Tail
Tail - Set high and carried erect. It is docked only long enough to be clearly visible over the backline of the body when the dog is in proper length of coat. Fault - Tail set too low. |
The tail carriage should be straight up (12 o’clock), and should come right off the end of the backline at that level (set on high). It is important to distinguish between the carriage and the set. The musculature and the dog’s temperament contribute to the carriage, where the structure of the croup contributes to the set.
It is as incorrect for the dog to have a tail that angles towards the head (10 o’clock or “squirrel tail”) as it is to be carried too low (2 o’clock).
Some dogs when sparring, will bring their tail toward the head, and this should not to be penalized. In normal stance the tail should not angle towards the head.
The length of a docked tail is manmade. If a tail is docked slightly too long or too short, it should not be cause for penalty. The set of the tail is more important.
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*** Click here for information on undocked tails.
Tailset and Carriage
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Correct
Note the location of the anus (arrow) in relation to the backline of the dog.
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Low tailset, good carriage
You can see daylight under the red line.
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Low tailset covered with hair.
The daylight has been filled with hair. Note location of the anus (red arrow) in relation to the backline of the dog.
This dog has a low tailset and it’s being pushed into a squirrel tail position.
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Squirrel Tail
The tail angles forward from 12 o'clock. |
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Substance
