

It is important to note that the genes influencing these sickles are dominant, and that it is easily transferred to their young. What is NOT so easy is to maintain structure, mutant sickle count, and an an even curtain of feathers. Note below some example that have only long main sickles, otherwise they are not longtails by our high standards of breeding.

The Shokoku (below) of Japan, is supposed to be a long-crowing Longtail like the Totenko, but its voice has perhaps been lost in lieu of its beautiful tail. Interestingly enough, beside the leg and face colour and size of comb, this breed of Japanese longtail takes the same direction of the New German Standard. The Japanese standard calls for ca. 90 cm in tail length, full couverts and a saddle that must touch the ground. A super long tail is disqualified from shows. The feather structure has to be firm - not floppy as in the Onagadori and some Ohiki - and the wing is to be carried droopy rather than high on the sides of the body to better show off its Duckwing marking - the same applies for the Minohiki. There are also some white Shokoku and Minohiki, but I have not seen any recent photographs of them.