A Dogs tail - how do you present it in the ring

This was inspired by something read on another forum.

You know that is a side of tails that I have not thought of, have wondered if the tail set of each breed will be uniform or it breeders will have to work on it depending what the various breed clubs decide is the correct one.

But how do you present your now tailed animal to the world, do you hold it up, do you let it dangle or should the dog hold it in the approved position without assistance and which breeds will do what?

It brings all sorts of thoughts to mind, a Rottie holding it's tail like a whippet, a boxer like a Beagle reckon a Cocker would look good with it's tail held like an Elkhound but then I may be biased.

What do others think, know or imagine?

Well spaniels will be held like a setter, they normally are.

I think they look great with tails, with all the fethering, but then I'm biased because I have my setters! :D

Well there was a photo of a Boxer in one of the dog papers this week and I'm sorry but the tail looked terrible (hope the owners not on here).  She was holding it in the middle like a gundog owner would do but then it sort of went off on one and looped over, it looked really weird.  I think if it was me I would hold it between the legs so that it looked as though it wasn't there! 

I want a puppy from one of my girls that's due any minute and although I said I'd never have a tailed one I think unfortunately I'll have to change my mind!  I will then have to look at what looks best for that tail. 

> I think if it was me I would hold it between the legs so that it looked as though it wasn't there! 
>

Not really the thing to do with a breed that has a tail set on high is it :-D

Debs

You could wear long sleeves and tuck the tail up your sleeve! ;) Or not stack and freestand instead.

We have a breeder of boxers who comes to our ringcraft with her puppies and one of hers looked very nice with a tail I must say.  It held it straight down on the stand and level on the move.  It was also quite thick all the way tot he tip, none of this whippyness!

Some of the aussie tails have looked ok aswell when they are in full coat. :)

> You could wear long sleeves and tuck the tail up your sleeve!

OMG don't - I actually saw someone doing that at a show!  I tried not to laugh - I failed miserably LOL.

Debs

It was very common practise in countries where the ban was put in place some years ago!

I find this business of holding the tails on some breeds fascinating, in Bedlingtons the tail is supposed to be held low, some dogs, and pups especially, hold theirs higher because of a bitch in season or general excitement, but no-one touches the tail regardless of what it's doing on the day (or even just when in the ring I've seen loads of dogs raising their tails as they go into the ring LOL ) but in other terriers eg. Westies, Fox terriers etc. the handlers are allowed to touch/hold the tail and thus improve the look of the dog.   I'm pretty sure that anyone holding a Bedlie tail for any reason would be completely discounted in the ring    doesn't really seem fair, especially when it comes to AVNSC competition??

It would seem that the some of the best handlers in boxers are holding the tail bolt upright to get the 'bang on top' effect required for about 4-5 inches of the tail...... then letting the remainder flop towards the handler rendering it almost invisible, especially in photos.

The point about the unfairness of positioning the tail could perhaps be addressed after several generations of natural tailed dogs have been produced and carriage has been stablised.... but perhaps not just yet......  This is all very new.

Talking Boxers: Have to say the grabbing of the tail in a place that would have been, if docked, the end and letting the rest go flopping where it will looks to the onlooker ludicrous, think the Beagle type tail grip looks best or let do it's own thing but that would show the tail set and carriage exactly as it is.

Not really the thing to do with a breed that has a tail set on high is it

Debs

Maybe not but I'm sorry it looks really weird to me and spoiled the outline of the dog.  Isn't it weird how such a small thing can make such a big difference to the way a dog looks.  I'm dreading seeing my breed this time next year.

I'm worried that the American cocker people might trim all the feathering off like I've seen in pictures from abroad. I hope they'll let them grow like a setter tail, they look weird all whippy like a whippet or something!

>The point about the unfairness of positioning the tail could perhaps be addressed after several generations of natural tailed dogs have been produced and carriage has been stablised

LOL 

I'm sure you're right, but my point about holding the tail in some breeds being unfair pertains to West Highland White Terriers and other terriers/breeds who aren't docked and never have been! (Fox Terrier was a bad example as they were docked - but still held in place! ;) ) but the handlers still hold up the tail!  I'd like to know why it is that is is accepted in some breeds but not in others?  In some dogs the tail is really held/pushed into the correct position and then it droops while being taken around the ring

Don't worry Diane, I told you that you'd imported an intelligent TT ;-)  I've seen some excellent TT tails on the curlies.  No, sorry, I apologise now you're not in the right frame of mind for my teasing.  Good luck with your little girl.

> I'm worried that the American cocker people might trim all the feathering off like I've seen in pictures from abroad. I hope they'll let them grow like a setter tail, they look weird all whippy like a whippet or something!

We were at a gundog breeds show late last year and there were a few American Cocker pups with tails, all held upright and clipped, no feathering at all, but I must admit they did look nice.

Actually I rather like them clipped off like that, and is how I have seen them, rather in the way the Irish Water Spaniels tails are. 

Though the amended standard says:
"Tail
....................
Undocked: Set on a line with topline of back. Moderate length. Feathering in proportion to the coat of the dog. Thicker at the root and tapering towards the tip. Carried on a line with the topline of back, or slightly higher, but never curled over the back or so low as to indicate timidity. When dog is in motion, merry tail action."

Well unfortunately I won't be keeping any so I don't need to worry about it now.  Looks like I'm never going to get a puppy, oh well. 

Puppied off of Manchester!!

Are there any Rottie people about, if so how are you dealing with the extra bit of dog? Are you doing as the Boxer exhibitors are or will you let is hang as up to now the breed has been free stood and it would be such a shame if you now had to stack?