Tail

Question 1

Set high, carried horizontally (or slightly lowered), often lively when the dog is attentive or in action. The ……can be born tailless or with a very short tail. When the tail is docked the ideal length is from 3 to 6 cm, the docked tail should not exceed 10cm.

Answer 1

Brittany

Question 2

Tail of medium length; medium heavy at the base. The tail should be straight or slightly curved and should not curl over back or side kink.

Answer 2

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Question 3

Docked: Set low. Well feathered, carried level with back.
Undocked: Set low. Well feathered, carried level with back.

Answer 3

Clumber Spaniel

Question 4

Docked: Docked tail is set on and carried on a line with the topline of the back, or slightly higher; never straight up like a Terrier and never so low as to indicate timidity. When the dog is in motion the tail action is merry.

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.

Answer 4

Cocker Spaniel (American)

Question 5

Flows from topline. Should reach approximately to hock; carried straight on a level with topline when moving.

Answer 5

Curly Coated Retriever

Question 6

Following the natural, very slight slope of the croup, broad at the base, luxuriant and heavily feathered, with the last vertebra reaching at least to the hock joint. The tail may be carried below the level of the back except when the dog is alert when it curves high over, though not touching the back.

Answer 6

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Question 7

Docked: Docking of tip of tail optional.
Undocked: Well set on, in line with the back. Base thick, tapering evenly towards the tip, well feathered. It should be carried horizontally or curved slightly upwards.

Answer 7

Large Munsterlander

Question 8

Docked: Docked by one third. Set on low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered with lively action.
Undocked: Set low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered with lively action. Reaches approximately to the hocks. Of moderate length in balance with the rest of the dog.

Answer 8

Field Spaniel

Question 9

Short, straight and well set on, gaily carried, but never much above level of back.

Answer 9

Flat Coated Retriever

Question 10

Set on slightly low, strong at the base, then tapering. In countries where tail docking is not prohibited by law, the tail may be shortened by one quarter to avoid hunting hazards. If tail docking is prohibited, the tail reaches down to the hock joint and carried straight or slightly sabre like. On the move, it is raised up to the horizontal. It is well covered by dense coat.

Answer 10

Hungarian Vizsla

Question 11

Set on a medium height, strong at the base, then tapering. In countries where tail docking is not prohibited by law, the tail may be shortened by one quarter to avoid hunting hazards. If tail docking is prohibited, the tail reaches down to the hock joint and is carried straight or slightly sabre like. On the move, it is raised up to the horizontal. The tail is well furnished with dense coat.

Answer 11

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

Question 12

Short, not reaching to hock joint, straight, thick at root and tapering to a fine point. Low set, straight and below level of back. Three to four inches of tail root covered by close curls which stop abruptly. The remainder bare or covered by short straight, fine hairs.

Answer 12

Irish Water Spaniel

Question 13

Docked: To half its length. Thick, particularly at the base set on as a continuation of croup and carried horizontal or down. No fringes.
Undocked: Thick at the base, set on as a continuation of croup and carried horizontal or down. No fringes.

Answer 13

Italian Spinone

Question 14

Distinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with short, thick, dense coat, thus giving 'rounded' appearance described as 'Otter' tail.
May be carried gaily but should not curl over back.

Answer 14

Labrador retriever

Question 15

Set at medium height. Docking must be done at the height of the 2nd to the 4th caudal vertebra.
Certain subjects show a congenital shortened tail (brachyouria).

Answer 15

Spanish Water Dog

Question 16

Previously customarily docked to 13-18cms (5-7ins)

Docked: Set low and never carried above the level of the back. Tail thickly covered with hair but not feathered.

Undocked: Set low, of medium length, and not carried above the level of the back. It should taper gradually to a point and be moderately feathered.

Lively tail action is typical of the breed.

Answer 16

Sussex Spaniel

Question 17

Moderately strong, set rather high, carried downwards when the dog is at rest; carried horizontally when the dog is in action.
Well furnished with hair but not brush style. The tail is shortened (docked) at half length.

Answer 17

Wirehaired Slovakian Pointer