IS THE STANDARD WRONG? Where is the
tail set supposed to be in our breed? Does anyone know? The AKC standard suggests that the
tail set should be "fairly low on body line ..." The KC standard suggests,
" Like a fox’s brush, set in line with the body
..." I would suggest that those two statements are contradictory! A breeder-judge
whom I respect suggested at a breed seminar that the tail set should be just below the
topline. He showed us how to hold the tail out in line with the topline and to put your
thumb where the croup goes into the tail set. Was he right? According to the KC standard I
think he is, but not according to the AKC standard. Look back at
the photos of so many of the greats in the breed. We seem to be a little uncertain about
the whole rear assembly. Some have tail sets which are quite high, giving an almost
squared off look to the rear. Some have low tail sets, giving a steep very rounded off
look to the rear. And some have tail sets which are in between, giving a gentle rounded
look to the rear. Which is right? How does the tail set affect movement or type? The tail set
defines the croup. A flat, steep or moderate croup can be seen according to where the tail
set is. As I've written elsewhere, the croup is an imaginary characteristic, it gives us an indication of the
angle of the pelvis. It is the pelvis which is important to movement. A flat pelvis will
restrict the under-reach of the hind legs, and increase the kick-up and follow through (at
a trot). A steep pelvis will increase the under-reach and restrict the follow through. A
moderate pelvis will allow for reasonable under-reach and reasonable follow through.
Trotting dogs require a moderate pelvis. Coursing,
racing dogs require a steeper pelvis for power at the gallop. What kind of a dog is a
Cardigan Welsh Corgi? What is its normal gait when out working? This normal gait should be reflected in the standard,
at least that's my understanding of what a standard is all about. The tail carriage, which influenced but not determined by the tail set, affects rear movement more than the tail set itself. A tail which is carried up (gay, ring, tea pot) will result in restricted, sometimes stilted movement in the rear. Is that what we want? A tucked tail will result in movement which never achieves a decent follow through.
The current standards are confusing about the
correct Cardigan tail set. Is the standard wrong? I'm not sure ... certainly it would seem
ambiguous. What do you think? |