There has been much discussion in Australia regarding the correct carriage of the tail especially since the banning of docking in this country. We have included the current pictorial diagrams as issued by the ADRK, to assist with the assessment and education relating to the Rottweiler tail.

As we own and exhibit a tailed Rottweiler it has been our experience that the international breed specialist judge assesses and critiques the tail as required in the pictorial standard.

Furthermore, we have observed that the carriage of the tail reflects the development/maturity and 'drive' of the dog at any given time.

For example:

when working the dog in prey drive (double handling/ food baiting) the tail is held in the sable position; This is an acceptable tail carriage "it shows taut expectation".

when in play drive (running, sniffing bitches) the tail is held in the sickle position. In this position the tip of the tail may touch the back of the dog, especially when on the move. This is also an acceptable tail carriage, "it shows joyful arousal".

This is the normally carried tail when the dog is relaxed.

This is the ringtail it is considered incorrect and is a disqualifying breed fault. Please note that this tail is a spitz tail like those of an Akita where the tail curls over and down the side of the back.

Discussions with european breeders have indicated that carriage of the tail cannot be picked as a baby puppy. This does not include disqualifying faults such as bent or kinked tails or where the tail has white.