The SWD's tail length, set and carriage are hot topics in the Spanish Water Dog world as politics and history collide.

Length of Tail

Tradition Speaks for Docking

As a herding dog with long, wooly hair, it is easy to imagine a long tail catching in the brush, dragging debris, or becoming soiled. As with many herding dogs, the SWDs tail is traditionally docked. For many, the classic SWD silhouette has a bobbed tail.

Politics Call for Natural Length

In many European countries, including some areas of Spain, the docking of tails is highly discouraged or outlawed. Tailed SWDs can be found all over the world, and in some countries such as Finland, docking has been banned for almost a decade. Substantial populations of natural-tailed SWDs have emerged in these areas.

You may ask yourself, what's the big deal?

As some populations emerge strictly with tails and others strictly docked, the danger comes in the emergence of two isolated gene pools. Folks in areas that require natural tails are wary about importing, showing and breeding dogs with docked tails. Those who traditionally dock their dogs' tails think twice about doing the same with natural-tailed dogs.

Brachury: Tail of the Future?

As the FCI standard says, some SWD lines show a genetic predisposition for brachury, or a naturally shorter-than-usual tail. The length of these tails is not consistent, but many believe this trait will eradicate the predicament of docking vs. not docking.

At this point, however, little is understood about the impact of this genetic trait. Is its impact limited to the length of tail, or is it a spine shortening gene? The UK SWD club is leading the way, warning against breeding two dogs with the brachurary trait together until more is known about this trait.

Tail Set and Carriage

The FCI standard deals only with the set of the tail into the pelvic region: "Set at medium height." Judges, breeders, and owners all want to know, what is the preferred carriage? Anything may go at the present time, but a "preferred" carriage will eventually have to be defined.

The question must first be asked, what is the usual carriage of naturally long SWD tails? According to Finnish veterinarian Raimo Tuomela, the variety of tail carriages in the SWD is immense.

A. Spitz Tail

The tail set is high and the tail is tightly curled over the back.

B. Moderate Curve Over Back

When at attention, the tail is carried over the topline, curving over the back, similar to a Portuguese Water Dog. Some curves are more complete with the tip pointing down or forward. Other curves are incomplete with the tail tip pointed upwards.

This type of tail is very expressive and reflects strongly the dog's mood and status. When in motion, the tail is carried high and curved. When the dog is relaxed, the tail also relaxes, dropping downwards. The tail is carried between the legs only in submission or out of fear.

C. Strait

Tails carried straight out like a Lagotto Romagnolo or a Labrador Retriever are rarely exhibited.

D. Low Tail Carriage

When either at attention or at rest, the tail is carried downwards, sometimes pointing to the ground. Extremely low carriage, even between the legs, indicates shyness and timidity in the dog.

Copyright © 2005 Spanish Water Dog Club
Last modified: 03/01/08