Some breeds known for having sickled tails include Siberian huskies, and other breeds that are associated with cold climates in cold weather, these dogs can curl up with their heavy tails wrapped around them, or even covering their noses. In corkscrew tails, the ring is extended into a spiral shape. This type of tail is caused by a vertebrae deformity, so unlike sickled or ringed tails which dogs can straighten according to their mood, corkscrew tails stay in one curled position.
Pugs and bulldogs tend to have corkscrew tails. An otter tail is a thick, rounded tail that tapers toward the end, and in its natural state tends to be pointed down. Dog breeds with thicker coats and a water-loving personality generally have this kind of tail—think Labrador retrievers, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, and, naturally, otterhounds.
These tails tend to be long relative to the length of the body. Most dog breeds that have whip tails are hunting dogs, or dogs known for their speed, like greyhounds, whippets, and wolfhounds.
This type of tail is especially effective as a counterbalance so may help with stability, agility and quick turns. Though there are many different shapes and sizes of tails, with some breed exceptions, most tail behaviors mean the same thing no matter the tail type. A wagging tail seems to be the universal sign of a happy dog. Is it sticking straight up, is it horizontal, or tucked down? What else is going on with other parts of the body?
Is the dog still with only the tail moving? Other signs like raised hackles, a crouching stance, a play bow, or pricked ears can help round out what the tail motion is saying. Paying attention to these cues can help prevent or de-escalate conflict, and ensure all social encounters, whether with dogs or people, are pleasant ones. Here, according to scientific research and behavior and training experts, are some common meanings to different tail wags. Tail straight up: The general rule is the higher the tail, the more assertive the dog.
A tail held higher can be a sign of alertness. Blake Rodriguez, trainer and founder of Dream Come True K9, says he most associates a high tail with an aroused, alert, intense state of mind. If hackles are raised, ears are flattened, and the dog is leaning forward almost on tiptoes, those are all signs of a dog in an aggressive posture, so a raised tail in this context should be a loud and clear signal of tension. Hackles, it should be noted, are a certain kind of hair located along the back of a dog that are connected to muscles called arrector pili.
They can be associated with fear, fear, surprise, or excitement just like your goosebumps. A raised tail position allows more scent to be released from the anal glands—in other words, a dog is assertively announcing their presence and claiming an area. They may also be crouched or cowering, licking their lips, or rolling over.
But if the threat persists or they feel no other option, they may lash out. Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This enables us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our site. You can find out more on our cookie page at any time.
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When climbing various surfaces, dogs use their tails to balance their body on uneven footings such as rocks or trees. When walking, your dog maintains his balance by putting its weight on the opposite side of his tilt. While running and he needs to take a turn quickly, the front part of the body bends to the way he wants to go, while his hind body stays in the same direction due to velocity. Hence, his tail serves as a counterweight as he throws it in the same direction his body is turning.
Interesting use of tails for dogs is to let others feel his presence. For example, every time your dog moves his tail, he wanted to look big and spread his body as much as possible. When your dog wags his tail, he might also be spreading his unique scent or pheromone.
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