DALMATIAN: CORRECT TAIL POSITION
by WENDELL SAMMET
T he perfect tail carriage of the Dalmatian is a natural exten- sion of the topline, carried with a slight curve but never curled over the back as a “ring tail” (fault) or low-set tail (fault). Tail carriage can also be from the natural extension to 45° with a slight curve as it rises without curling over the back creating a “ring-tail”. Th ese degrees of tail carriage are describe as “high tail” carriage, not “ring tails”. Th ese tails can have the correct tailsets but when in motion the tail starts to rise above the topline with a slight curve. Th ese “high tail” carriages can be atti- tude, a happy dog with a good tempera- ment. Males are prone to carry tails high when bitches are in season or when they become interested in di ff erent surround- ings and objects. Agreed, the perfect tail carriage is desired, but these “high tail” carriages are not a fault, just undesirable. What about “low set” tails? Th ey do not seem to be criticized as much as the “high- set” tails. Just as fault as “ring tails”, they can create the imperfect picture and can influence the rear quarter drive. Th e angle of the croup determines the tailset. Referring to the Scale of Points for the Dalmatian: Th e neck, topline and body total 10 points. Th is section of the Standard describes the six parts: the neck, topline, chest, loin, croup and tail. Th ese parts are related, making the tail one- sixth of the 10 points. Th e tail should be judged accordingly. We all agree on the perfect tail car- riage and the proper tailset. When these are faulty, they should be evaluated against the other good parts. Evaluate the whole dog.
Top to bottom: “Low-tail” carriage: fault. “Ring-tail” carriage: carried up around, almost in a circle; fault. “High-tail” carriage: not a fault.
“THESE ‘HIGH TAIL’ CARRIAGES CAN BE ATTITUDE, A HAPPY DOG WITH A GOOD TEMPERAMENT.”
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , S EPTEMBER 2014 • 223
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