Hi, I'm new to showing and wondered if anyone could give me some advice?  I've been told I should try to stop my Miniature Wire Dachshund from carrying his tail up when he's moving in the ring.  I wondered how on earth because I've tried for months different methods but also why??? I thought they were a hunting breed and would therefore naturally carry their tails up? The ones I've seen win in the ring carry their tails almost between their legs which I think looks a little odd, Thanks Jo

How old is he?  It cold be that he's very young and enthusiastic/happy and will hold it lower as he gets older :-D

If he's older, you could try touching it gently with the end of a lead while you are practising and say 'tail' or another word ;) he'll then naturally tuck it down (hopefully he won't 'scoot' as well) and will learn that when you say the word it means to hold it lower ;)

Ideally the tail should be almost horizontal, if you watch the movement of a dachs that carries it's tail 'high' it tends to give a swagger that should not be there. Most imortantly it is often a sign of incorrect 'tail set'. I had a problem with my lad he had perfect tail carriage outside the ring, but as soon as he walked into the ring up went the tail 'look at me'. Sadly he is no longer with us.
Keeping a calm manner with your dog from training through to the ring, excitement is one of the main causes. Don't make too much of an issue with the dog, when training I used to touch the tail area as I took him off the table and gave a quiet but assertive command'tail'. stopping and starting as the tail goes up is another method you could try, I am not an advocate of using anything to tap the tail as it is likely to give that tail between the legs effect ( which is not desirable either).
You could also try varying the speed at which you move, too fast gets them wound up, try practising with the dog on your right handside occasionally (it messes with their brains a bit, and makes them concentrate). What area of the country are you?

Hi

I also show miniature wire-haired dachshunds and mine can tend to put their tails up because everything is exciting and they are full of energy all the time.  Most of them. with a calm approach and being trained to "show" by just touching the end of their tail with a finger and not making them giddy in the ring, will eventually lower their tails.  However I have one bitch (who has a ticket and 2 reserves so do keep trying!) who insists on sometimes carrying her tail almost over her back, which looks hideous.  She is a very busy, quite bossy girl who naturally has her tail half up anyway, as her tail set is quite high.  Many mini wires with an incorrect croup will carry their tails high.  It does spoil their whole outline and the transformation when they keep it down is amazing,.  You are right in that they are a hunting breed and, when out in the field, all mine will have their tails either out or up.  However, if the tails set is right, they cannot actually carry it higher than their back for long as the fall of the croup must make the angle uncomfortable.  I don;t like to see dachshunds with their tails between their legs - it makes them look frightened, which is not typical of the breed.  Out behind them and sometimes wagging is fine, just try to discourage the "up and over" look as it detracts from the overall flow of the dog.  I have found this to be one of the most irritating habits of my girl but finally, at 3 years old, she is starting to keep it down a bit more!

Thanks for your replies....

She is 3 years old now (apologies as I referrred to her as a him!) and I should have said I'm new to showing Dachshunds, as I've shown other breeds for nearly 20 years and made up champions... She did quite a bit of winning as a puppy (champ level) but I haven't done hardly any showing in the last couple of years.  I am assuming she must have a high tail set then although this has never been mentioned by either people in the breed when they've commented on her nor in critiques.  I tried the whole tapping her tail thing and saying "down" and she put it down but looked really nervous and scooted as you described.  When in the ring, I just discretely said "down" and she lowered it but also slowed down and didn't move as well. She certainly doesn't carry it over her back, I would describe it (when in the ring) as about 45 degrees above horizontal and then she curves the tip up.  So it leaves me stuck between either her carrying it like this and moving well or her moving awfully but keeping her tail down.  She is so happy when she's showing too so I hate to make it not fun!  I have been told she has really fantastic hind movement so I don't want to mess it up.  I'm wondering if it may be better to just leave it because I can't think what other approach to take...

I've been told that after having a litter she may calm down??? This is another worry in itself as we mated her last year and she didn't take and I've been told she is at an increased risk of a caesarian now... My other breed are never normally mated before the age of 3 so it's a new thing to me...  What do other Dachshund folk think?

On another note, are foreign judges more fussy than UK judges about tail carriage or are they the same?  Any advice appreciated, thank you x

Hi

There is no reason to suppose that she would keep her tail down after having a litter, if her tail set is wrong or she just likes to have a happy "tail up" having a litter will make little difference.  It is really about her realising what you want her to do and then being happy to do it - there isn't a definite answer - you have to let her know that in the ring, she has to keep her tail down when moving.  Do you show her on a choke?  I show my one that puts her tail up on a fine silver choke and give her a little pull on the lead if she starts to raise it - if I can catch her before it gets all the way up, she will put it down.  I also find that, the faster I go, the more likely she will be to put her tail up.  It is hard but you need to get the balance just right - sometimes it will work, other times it won't. 

Regarding the cesarean, why would having a litter at 3 years old mean an increased risk of a cesarean?  Some bitches have a cesar at 2 years old or younger, perhaps because they have only 1 puppy or sometimes because they have inertia - being 3 years old doesn;t, in my experience, mean she is more likely to have a cesar.

As for foreign judges - I wouldn't say they are more or less fussy - just have a different emphasis - movement, teeth and fit for function is usually their focus.  It would be a shame to stop showing her if she is nice - she will eventually cotton on!

Thank you so much for your reply, that was really helpful...

She definately raises it more, the faster we go, so I try to be aware of that... I absolutely don't want to stop showing her as I adore her, adore the breed and have found most of the Dachshund people a joy to be around and as you say, it would be a shame not to...I don't show her on a check but have considered it and think I will get one now, especially if it may help!  What thickness of chain do you use? - As I'll buy one on-line as opposed to at a show, as I haven't got a show until Crufts.... It's a long time since I've shown a dog on a chain!

Thanks for the reassurance re breeding. I have sent you a PM re it, as it is off-topic...

Thanks

Hi

The chain I use is a lightweight silver choke, not sure about the exact size, attached to a fine leather lead.  I have it up under her chin as I set off to move her - not particularly tight but enough so that she can feel it and I can control her better.  For my others I use a half check leather and chain show lead. 

I have pm'd you re the breeding.

try walking around the show for a while, it might be excitement when he/she gets in the ring, by the time youve walked around the tail should come down abit.