Tail docking question

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Vizsla Vince
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Tail docking question

Post by Vizsla Vince » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:02 pm

Why are diffferent breeds' tails docked @ different lengths?
My V's are docked 1/3 to 1/2 length, gsp's are docked 3/4?, & britts are left w/ tiny little nubs.
Is this for looks, or is there a method to this madness?

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Post by wannabe » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:35 pm

I always dock GSP and GWP tails at 1/2. I believe the breed standard says 2/5, but a lot of people must think that 2/5 is closer to 1/4 than it is to 1/2. I would rather have the tail longer than standard than shorter.
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NVgsp
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Post by NVgsp » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:02 am

the breeder that i have gotten both of my gsps in the past loves a really long, tall tail. as you can see in my avatar, at the time that pup was roughly four, maybe five months old. a lot of people think that my gsps are pointers but its hard to mistake that all liver head. i dont mind the long tail, especially with that younger pup (she is so "bleep" little). its a good question. i was thinking of posting one on the issue of preferense. like you said a lot of gsp owners tails are a different lengths...what does each prefere?
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Virgil

Post by Virgil » Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:26 am

My pups tail was brown a ways up then turned to white with ticking.
So he has about 1-2 inches of white at the tip now.
It happend to be right between what I would consider 1/4 to 1/2 so probably about right for the "standard"
The spot was more chosen for the coloring though than the length.
You can't always do this though, just worked out with him.
A solid color tail I guess you'd have to make the choice of how long to make it.

Haile

Post by Haile » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:07 pm

The GSP rules advise measure the tail and remove 60%, leaving 40% remaining.

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Wagonmaster
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Post by Wagonmaster » Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:31 pm

everybody tries to leave that white puff on the end, if it is there to leave.

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ezzy333
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Post by ezzy333 » Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:10 pm

Ideally with the GSP or Viszla it should be long enough to be the same heigth as the head when the dog is stacked. This is hard to figure with a pup but if you have dogs that are shorter and stockier then cut them a little bit shorter and the longer rangy type could be cut longer.

This is not required but just a guide line to make the dog look as balanced as possible.

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littleking
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Post by littleking » Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:18 pm

my girls cottonball is soo funny :)

but if you try to touch her tail she tucks it away

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Post by Birdhunter1 » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:36 pm

Where did that Britt come rom Littleking?

So much of that dogs features look like mine.

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Post by Ayres » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:41 pm

Birdhunter1 wrote:Where did that Britt come rom Littleking?

So much of that dogs features look like mine.
You probably need to shave then! :lol: :wink:
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Post by QCBirddogs » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:46 pm

General rule of thumb on tail length, as I was always told, was long enough to cover the genitalia.

I like a longer tail though.....looks good on most dogs IMHO.

Phil

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Post by Ruffshooter » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:32 am

I am thinking the German standard has the longer standard which is the 3/5 or ^60/40 and American is 1/2.

There are a few old wives tails I know of.
1. Reduce broken or injured tails afield
2. With the britts the Poachers did not want the land owner to see the tail when the dog was doing its work.
3. Britt usually have ugly tails.

I am sure there are better reasons than these.

Who knows why the different length. I wonder if there is an old breeders log out there from back in the day? That would be interesting to see the why and what fors.
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littleking
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Post by littleking » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:50 am

Birdhunter1 wrote:Where did that Britt come rom Littleking?

So much of that dogs features look like mine.
came from southern ohio
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gary
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Post by gary » Sat Jun 24, 2006 10:04 am

>Virginia Alexander has written a book called Weimaraner Ways
>That gives a VERY detailed explanation on docking tails.....That might help.
> 1 Grasp the base Of the tail between your thumb and forefinger, then
>slowly
> slide them
>Toward the tip until you feel the TAPER POINT (where the tail suddenly
>Becomes thinner) 2. Slide your fingers one more vertebra so that
>Both thumb and forefinger are holding the tail BELOW the taper. 3
>Carefully clip the hairs over the taper with sharp manicure scissors,
>So that a straight, clear line is visible, usually about one and a
>Quarter inches from the base. 4 Place the ruler under the tail,
>Firmly against the base just above the anus. Be sure the tail is
>STRAIGHT OUT in line with the back. 5 Incorrect tail length is
>Usually caused by pulling the tail downward over the ruler. 6 With the
>Tail stretched flat on the ruler with the scissors clip a second
>Straight clear line at 1 and a half inches .7 It is sometimes
>Necessary to deviate from the 1 and a half inch MAXIMUM length (Delayed
>docking,croup angle,tails extra short or extra long), but be
>Sure that the second mark does not exceed half of the tails length. 8
>Be sure that the 1 and a half inch (second) mark COMPLETELY covers the
>Vulva or scrotal sac . If not, adjust the second mark so they are
>Covered.

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ezzy333
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Post by ezzy333 » Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:04 am

Ok that lost me. What do we do with two marks? I have to be missing something.

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Post by rosiesdad » Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:45 am

QCBirddogs wrote:General rule of thumb on tail length, as I was always told, was long enough to cover the genitalia.

Phil
I agree both on looks and formula. I heard its a trick for the vet to know on a bitty pup what to cut off so you get what you want. Many breeders dont care so it isnt even close.
A GSP with an 7-8" tail looks a lot nicer than one with a 3"stub. Many of the V's are a little longer than I preferr, but that is probably a breed standard thing.
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