Siberian Husky Blueprint | Heads or Tails

Siberian Husky Blueprint: Heads or Tails

TAIL IT IS!

Any project needs to start with a goal. Next comes a plan to meet the project’s goal. That plan is expanded to list steps, materials, contributors, and deliverables. Progress is monitored, and deliverables and goals are evaluated to determine if the project is successful. Dog breeding, exhibiting, and judging have steps similar to those of a project, with goals, plans, contributors, and evaluations. At the heart of a dog project, used by breeders, exhibitors, handlers, groomers, photographers, and judges, is the blueprint of each breed: the Breed Standard.

From the moment we become interested in purebred dogs, the Standard becomes our companion. Regardless of our role in the dog world, the study of the Standard becomes a constant activity. The Standard for any breed is difficult to cover in a single article, but I would like to focus on the section of the Siberian Standard which, by far, prompts the majority of questions from judges: the Tail. This section can be a bit confusing, and this article attempts to address some of the misconceptions about the Siberian Husky tail.

Neck, Topline, Body: Tail: The well-furred tail of fox-brush shape is set on just below the level of the topline, and is usually carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve when the dog is at attention. When carried up, the tail does not curl to either side of the body, nor does it snap flat against the back. A trailing tail is normal for the dog when in repose. Hair on the tail is of medium length and approximately the same length on top, sides and bottom, giving the appearance of a round brush. Faults – A snapped or tightly curled tail; highly plumed tail; tail set too low or too high.

The Tail section begins and ends with a description of the coat on the tail. The hair on the Siberian’s fox-brush-shaped tail is of medium length and approximately the same length on all sides, and is not to be highly plumed. As one might expect, the coat on the Siberian’s tail mirrors the characteristics seen elsewhere on the body: well-furred, medium in length, not obscuring the outline of the dog, and not shaggy. There seem to be very few questions about the tail fur. The confusion stems from other descriptions of the tail.

Let’s examine the structural tail details relating to the tail. The topline of the Siberian, when standing and moving, is to remain strong, straight, firm, and level from withers to croup. The croup slopes away from the spine at an angle, but not too steeply. This information prepares us to understand how the tail is set on the dog “just below the level of the topline.” The tail set is probably the most important aspect of a Siberian’s tail, because a flat or steep croup usually means a high or low tail set, respectively, either of which adversely affects the gait of a Siberian. Correct gait is essential to the Siberian Husky, a distance, endurance sled dog whose original function was “in harness most capably carrying a light load at a moderate speed over great distances.”

Correct tail sets seem obvious in the top right illustration. However, depending on the thickness of a Siberian’s coat, and if the tail has been wagging (which pushes up the hair in front of the tail), determining the tail set often requires checking it by hand. The illustration also shows examples of correct tail carriages.
Please realize that it is equally acceptable for a Siberian to drop his tail or to carry it over his back in a range of graceful sickle curves when standing.

There are some incorrect tail carriages, including tails snapped flat against the back, tightly curled, and curling to either side of the body as seen in the middle illustration. It is difficult to see how well the tails are set, but both of these examples appear also to show tails curling to one side of the body. These incorrect tail carriages may indicate structural faults which could affect the Siberian’s movement.

One of the most surprising misconceptions about the Siberian’s tail is how it should be carried while moving. There are many who erroneously believe how the tail must or cannot be carried when moving: over the back, below the level of the topline. Since there is no specific mention in the Standard of tail carriage while moving, it appears that people have made their own assumptions as to what is correct. The only specifications in the Standard’s Tail section are for tail set, for extent and direction of curl, and for coat length.

The bottom right illustration shows just a few examples of correctly set and Standard-fitting tails in acceptable carriage as a Siberian moves. We ask that everyone follow the Standard for the Tail, rather than erroneous assumptions. Make sure the tail is set on below the level of the topline, doesn’t curl to either side, snap flat, or curl tightly, and is covered in medium-length fur that is about the same length on all sides and is not highly plumed. As a Siberian moves, its tail can do many different things. The tail may be carried over the back in a graceful sickle curve with some range of curl, it may wag, and it may trail above or below the level of the topline. The tail can also be an indicator of the dog’s mood: an unsure puppy or bitch in season may lower its tail; a teenage male showing off for the other dogs may tighten his tail (even to his detriment by turning a good tail into one that is too tightly curled, much to the chagrin of his owner).

I hope this article has provided some clarity about the Siberian tail. Please take away these reminders:

• Tail set is one of the most important aspects of the tail.
• When evaluating the tail, particularly when the dog is gaiting, please do not fault a dog for any acceptable tail carriage in favor of another tail carriage that you think is preferable.
• A judge never needs to see a Siberian’s tail carried over its back in the show ring.
• The Standard never mentions the length of a Siberian’s tail; so please do not measure it.