Describe these two tail carriages: (1) otter tail, (2) ring tail.

• A. (1) Otter tail is thick at the base, round and tapering, with hair parted or divided on the underside. Ring tail is carried up and around almost forming a circle.
• B. (2) Otter tail is thick at the base, round and tapering, with hair parted on the underside; Ring tail is carried up and around almost forming a circle.
• C. (3) Otter tail is thick at the base and curled; Ring tail is carried down behind the back.
• D. (4) Otter tail is short; Ring tail is long and fluffy on the sides.

Answer: (A)

When describing tail carriage, the key idea is how the tail sits and how it’s shaped. An otter tail is thick at the base, round in cross-section, and tapers toward the tip; the hair along the underside can be parted or divided, creating a distinct line along the bottom. A ring tail is carried up and around the back, nearly forming a circle.

The best match pairs otter tail with a base that’s thick, round and tapering, with hair parted on the underside, and ring tail with a carriage that curls up and around to form a circle. The other options mix up these traits or describe implausible positions, so they don’t fit the standard definitions.