On the subject of tails...

[livendive]

Minka is my second boxer, both females, and both have generally carried their (docked) tails tucked down (except when excited and/or wagging it). I've joked about them just being modest, but at the same time am curious as to the reason. If I remember correctly, the breed standard says they should carry their tails "erect", and I know that when Minka's breeder was posing her, she would have one hand holding a treat to keep the head up and the other hand "nudging" the tail up, just like we always see in show dogs. Any idea if that's just a learned behavior or if it "should" be carried up? I'm assuming there's no hygiene issue that would compel me to "teach" her to carry it up, so my only reason for asking is curiosity (and the perhaps odd impressions that the tail up implies animation whereas the tail down implies reservation).

 

[elindave]

That's a good question and I'd love to know cause Nikita carries her tail a bit down (except when excited or wiggling).

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

 

[HurricaneBox]

I am curious to know the answer to this as well... Hurricane always carries his tail straight up unless he is being scolded, then it is tucked. Wonder if it is a boy/girl thing?

 

[2BoxerLover]

I am curious to see what the answer is too. All three of mine carry their tails up. The only time one of them tucks their tail is when they are being scolded or are frightened by something.

 

[livendive]

I am curious to know the answer to this as well... Hurricane always carries his tail straight up unless he is being scolded, then it is tucked. Wonder if it is a boy/girl thing?

I suppose that's part of why I'm asking, albeit a vain part. I don't want people to see her tail and think I'm a bad dad! I swear I only scold her when necessary, and that's usually just an ah..ah...ah to discourage whatever she's doing. "NO!" is reserved for serious violations!

 

[simmons]

Hmmm.....mine only curl thier tails under when scared of something. When we first brought Crash home he would keep his tail tucked under everytime we went for walks. He was never very confident outside...until about a year old.

Interesting though???

 

[GDOGS1]

GDOGS is always down unless he is excited or something is going on outside


MoM & DaD of GDOGS 8/18/05 Brindle,Docked,Floppy and full of Zest

 

[Slobberkiss]

Good Question. Lana always carries her nubby up unless she's gotten into trouble. Even if I haven't seen what's happened yet, thats a sure signal that gives it away.

 

[DiverDiva]

Oscar and Mali both carry theirs down unless there is something of interest going on.

 

[puppysplogs]

In Australia docking tails is now illegal. It took a while to get used to but our boy had a tail and we fell in love with it, hard to believe I know but it was beautiful how much he talked with it... by just moving the tip!

He carried is tail very proudly, up and rounded over at the top like a flag or dodgem car so I would imagine if he was docked he probably would have carried his stub up too. You begin to notice that not all boxers carry their tails up like this as some can be quite soft and even droopy.... maybe this could be an insight as to the differences you guys are experiencing...