THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

 

Boxer docked

The first Anniversary of the docking ban has come and gone, how are we all coping with the long appendages? How has it affected our lovely breed-it at all?

I have great admiration for the stalwarts of the Boxer, continuing to breed and show, just getting on with it. Some coming up with novel ways to show, and hold the tail. Some clever exhibitors actually managing to make the apprearance of a docked tail when the dog is in it's show pose. Alas all this falls apart once the dog moves, and if rear movement is not what it should be, this is very much accentuated by the long appendage. In addition, if the dog has any kind of fault with the topline  or the rear end, this again is accentuated by the long tail and made to look much worse, especially if the tail is carried gaily.

Here lays the big question, how should the tail be carried? This I suppose will be the next big issue for the Breed Council and a change to the Breed Standard. The Kennel Club simply states that the tail clause of all breed standards, which refer to a breed being "Customarily Docked" will be amended to "Previously Customarily Docked". What about the Bobtail! will we have two clauses in the standard, one for the Bobtail and another for the long tail? How will we decide how the tail should be carried? I read a Boxer critique recently in which the Judge said "a correctly carried tail" what is a correctly carried tail? How will we decide what is the correct tail carriage, a thorny question and one, which will take much debate I am sure.

Has the ban had any affect on the number of puppies in the ring? Well, you just have to stand at the ringside to see the poor entries in the puppy classes. Registration figures for 2006 were 9,066 in 2007 they had fallen by 875 to 8,191, what will the figure be for 2008, well down I expect.

I was surprised at one show when a couple of newer exhibitors ventured the opinion-that they prefered the long tail. What would the doyenne of the breed say if she were here today? I would image Frau Stockman to be speechless, as was I.

Speeking with exhibitors at my training classes there is some thought that a change in government will bring about a change in the law on docking; I just cannot see that happening. I think the long tail is here and here to stay.

For me personally the long tail takes something away from the Boxer, part of his nobility-his noble stance. I am hoping to get used to the sight and seeing puppy classes well filled once again.  There is no doubt, a quality boxer is a quality boxer and still gives that tingle when he/she strutts their stuff in the ring, short or long tail.

Boxer undocked

Marion Cowan

Alcomar

This article was written on

25th June 2008 for the Scottish Boxer Magazine