Page 99 - Aussie Magazine - 2023 Issue 2

When I was asked by this magazine to write an article about tails, I was
not initially enthusiastic. I did however give it much thought. I delved into
some of my past educational materials and spent a significant amount

of time researching the topic. One of the more surprising things I learned
is that even those of us who do not live in countries with tail docking
bans can learn something about our breed’s structure and movement

from tail set and carriage, whether the tail is docked, full or a natural bob
tail. While this topic can be emotionally charged and cause acrimonious

discussions, I encourage you to keep an open mind.

An article about is Aussie tails unique, and it is “Tail: historically a natural bob breed, docked
important to note that no conclusions presented for shortness and uniformity. In countries with
here can or will affect a dog being judged against tail docking bans, all tail lengths are equally
the breed standard in the show ring; for the acceptable. Tail is set smoothly, as a conti-
most part no breed standard currently contains nuation of the moderately (30%) sloping
this information–thus a dog cannot currently be croup, neither high nor low. At rest, tail hangs
held accountable for tail set and carriage. straight. Full tails may have a slight curve at
the end. When moving, the tail at the base
After reading this article, some of you may should not rise above the level of the back
find that your dog(s) may not have the correct but continue along the slope of the croup. The
tail set and carriage discussed in this article. I base of the tail should not curve up or forward
encourage you to keep an open mind. When over the back. Tails raised up and over the
preserving a breed, it is important to be realistic back when moving are severely faulted.”
when applying the breed standard to one’s
breeding program. There is not and never will
be any perfect dog. This does not mean that The remainder of this article will explore how I
the Aussie in your home with a curled tail over arrived at this description and why. The discussion
the top of the back is to be any less loved or has value for both natural bob tail and docked dogs.
cherished.
The journey into our relatively brief breed history
I would like to acknowledge the photographers and development will assist in putting the topic
that offered their work to help illustrate this of tails and the Australian Shepherd in context.
article. I have included photos of dogs with Compared to breeds that have a known and
what appear to be correct tail set and carriage documented history that span centuries, the
and have also offered photos, based on my Australian Shepherd is a relatively new member
conclusions, whose tail set and carriage might to the world of purebred dogs. Developed
be flawed when compared to the breed history, exclusively by ranchers and farmers in the
form and function. It is important to use the western U.S., an accurate record of the breed
information presented here from an educational development remains elusive and unverifiable.
viewpoint. We do not even definitively know how the breed
became known as the “Australian” Shepherd,
After studying this topic for many months, even though several theories abound.
discussing endlessly with other breed experts
and asking input from many all-round judges Beginning in the 1800s ranchers in the Western
and breeders, this is my attempt at providing a United States who needed dogs to work and
tail description for the Australian Shepherd: fill a specific chore on the ranch quickly were

A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 2/2023 | 99