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

As I own and exhibit tailed Rottweilers, it has been my experience that the international breed specialist judge assesses and critiques the tail as required in the pictorial standard.

I have also observed that the carriage of the tail reflects the development/maturity "drive" of the dog at any given time.

Example:

Picture1:  To be added soon

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".

Picture 2:  To be added soon

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, expecially when on the move.  This is also an acceptable tail carriage, "it shows joyful arousal".

Picture 3:  To be added soon

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

Picture 4:  To be added soon

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.