How many times have you seen your dog wagging tail at you? How often do you see your dog chasing its own tail? And, does your dog bite its tail as well? The questions about a dog’s tail never ends.
Dogs are lovely creatures who sometimes act strange with their tails. A tail is not just a moving body part of a dog’s body but has many functions associated with it. Be it communication or mood expression, a dog uses its tail in various manners. Let’s quickly dive into some fascinating dog tail facts that you are probably unaware of!
- 20 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Dog Tails
- 1. The Key To Communication
- 2. Dog Tail Is The Source Of Information
- 3. Dog Tail Show Their Various Moods
- 4. A High Tail Is A Sign Of Confidence
- 5. A Down Tail Is A Sign Of Anxiety
- 6. A Horizontal And Straight Dog Tail
- 7. Dogs Love Chasing Their Tails
- 8. Tail Wagging Is The Gateway To Heart
- 9. Dogs Spread Scents From Their Tails
- 10. No Tail Wagging Movement When Alone
- 11. Circular Tail Wag Means Adoration
- 12. Dog Tail Helps In Maintaining The Balance
- 13. Swimming Is Easier By Using Tail Strength
- 14. The Dog Tail Have Bones In It
- 15. Genetics Doesn’t Guarantee Tail At Birth
- 16. Dog’s Tail Docking Is Illegal
- 17. Dogs With Docked Tails Face Disadvantage
- 18. Dog Tails Get Limp In Colder Temperature
- 19. Dogs Having Two Tails A Reality?
- 20. The “Happy Tail” Syndrome
- Final Thoughts
20 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Dog Tails
A tail is one of the most essential parts of a dog’s body. Dogs love using their tails to express themselves, wagging, and whatnot. While some dog breeds have a longer tail than other breeds, their functions are more or less the same. So, we’ve listed down 20 interesting facts about a dog’s tail that will make you go WOW.
1. The Key To Communication
Dogs use their tail to communicate with other animals and us. They wag it in different manners to convey their ask. Whenever they get excited to meet someone who’s been away for a long time, they just curl their tail and lift it as high as possible. One thing to note is that a tail is not the ultimate source of communication for all dogs. Dog breeds having no tail use their other body signs to convey their message.
2. Dog Tail Is The Source Of Information
Many of you don’t know, but dog tail is handy for sharing information about their wellness and health. Whenever dogs feel low and anxious, they keep their tail down and curl between their legs. On the other hand, when they keep their tail high in the air, it means they’re full of confidence and fearless.
3. Dog Tail Show Their Various Moods
Always wanted to know what your dog’s mood is? Dog tail is the source to ask for. Dogs indicate many emotions from wagging and curling their tails in different manners. One can easily find out if their dog’s mood is happy, emotional, angry, or sad by just looking at the behavioral movement of the dog’s tail. A tail in the right direction is associated with happiness, calmness, and a relaxing mood. While the tail in the left direction means the dog’s attitude is stressful, fearful, and nervous.
4. A High Tail Is A Sign Of Confidence
Like many moods of a canine, confidence and prowess are one of them. If you see your dog has a high and straight tail, that means they’re feeling very much confident about themselves for the current situation. It also means they’re ready to take charge, mating or showing dominance to other pets.
5. A Down Tail Is A Sign Of Anxiety
A down tail in dogs means that the dog is fearful, timid, and anxious. So, if your dog is indicating any of these signs, it’s better to give them some space until they charge themselves again. They also curl their tail down between the legs to show that they’re not interested in playing or talking at the current moment.
6. A Horizontal And Straight Dog Tail
A horizontal and straight tail of a dog means the dog is curious to know what’s happening around them. Dogs want to find out what’s in it for them and how they can contribute to show their strength. So, whenever you see the tail of your dog flat straight in the horizontal direction, try to engage them with yourself.
7. Dogs Love Chasing Their Tails
Many dog owners seem puzzled by seeing their beloved pet chasing their own tail. This behavior of your dog can be out of curiosity or compulsive behavior. It’s one of their ways to play independently and have fun without seeking anyone.
8. Tail Wagging Is The Gateway To Heart
Dogs love wagging their tails. A wagging dog tail is a gesture of goodwill and friendly behavior. Whenever dogs want to make new friends or show their interest in mating, they start to wag their tails, which is a treat to watch. Tail wagging is also helpful for dog owners to understand their dog’s mood.
9. Dogs Spread Scents From Their Tails
Studies say that when dogs wag their tail straight and high in the air, they release a scent-like smell from their anal glands. These dogs are usually in a more joyful mood. On the other hand, anxious dogs hide their tail between their legs to cover their scent-releasing glands. Isn’t it makes to the list of great facts about dog tails?
10. No Tail Wagging Movement When Alone
What if I tell you that the dog that seems to wag its tail the whole day in front of you doesn’t even move its tail when spending its time alone. As per the studies and practical observations, dogs do not move or wag their tails much when found alone. So, if you find your dog’s tail isn’t moving, do not panic; it’s expected behavior.
11. Circular Tail Wag Means Adoration
Circular tail wag is the term float by the dog behavioral expert Patricia Mcconnell. Circular wags are done by those dogs who seem to be extremely happy. That means they’re showing signs of love and respect for you and adoring you. Some dog breeds are capable enough to roll and circularly curl their tail.
12. Dog Tail Helps In Maintaining The Balance
A dog’s tail helps a dog in various physical manners like mobility and balancing. Whenever a dog runs or jogs, its tail helps maintain the balance with the ground, preventing them from falling. The tail also allows them to adjust their weight when they’re doing brisk walking. Dogs having long tails have a better advantage of running when compared to dog breeds with shorter tails.
13. Swimming Is Easier By Using Tail Strength
Dogs that love swimming know how to use their tails to swim for a more extended period without getting exhausted. Dogs use their tails as a great combination with their legs to make paddling faster and more robust. Breeds such as Labrador and Golden Retrievers have fur on the tail and find it easier to swim without getting tired.
14. The Dog Tail Have Bones In It
Many people don’t believe that the dog tails have bones in them. But this is not true at all. A dog’s tail is the extension of the spine and consists of small bones. Further, they’re separated with soft discs to have flexibility, cushion, and comfort. Tails also have vertebrae that are bigger at the base and tend to get smaller towards the tip.
15. Genetics Doesn’t Guarantee Tail At Birth
Yes, that’s true. Dog parents having tails and giving birth doesn’t guarantee that their pup will also have a tail. Sometimes, the pup is born without a tail and stays tailless for the rest of their lives. While this is quite a rare phenomenon, many dog owners have experienced it.
16. Dog’s Tail Docking Is Illegal
In the ancient past, people used to cut their dog’s tail to prevent them from injuries, infections, and wounds. This tail cutting practice, also known as tail docking, was resisted by many dog owners in the recent era. Hence, many countries have passed tail docking laws to secure the body structure of pets. However, some people still cut their dog’s tail with the help of illegal means, which needs to be curbed.
17. Dogs With Docked Tails Face Disadvantage
Dogs having docked tails face a disadvantage in front of a fully grown tail breed. Dogs feel that their tails symbolize dominance, and without a tail, they’re inferior in front of their competitors. However, when two dogs with docked tails meet, they feel equal in dominance.
18. Dog Tails Get Limp In Colder Temperature
Many dog owners don’t know what limber tails mean in dogs. It’s a syndrome that makes the tail limp and lifeless. Usually, this kind of situation develops when dogs develop injuries while swimming, playing in the water, or facing colder weather. Consulting the vets is the right way to treat limber tails in dogs.
19. Dogs Having Two Tails A Reality?
You might have heard the idiom, “Dog having two tails,” which means to be joyful. But keeping the saying apart, do dogs with two tails even exist? In Missouri, a 10-week abandoned puppy was found in 2019. The X-rays showed his secondary tail was about a third-size of his primary tail. And the best part, the dog was highly cheerful about this god-gifted extra tail.
20. The “Happy Tail” Syndrome
For most of you, the happy tail means a dog wagging its tail in a friendly manner. But what If I say the happy tail is completely opposite of its name. The happy tail syndrome is observed in dogs when they start beating their tail with the nearby objects or walls, causing it to bleed. Breeds with longer tails mostly experience this syndrome.
Final Thoughts
Dogs love their tails as much as we love every part of our body. A dog’s tail is a great way to understand a dog’s health, wellness, behavior, and mood. So, take proper care of your dog tail and keep them cheerful.
Which of the above facts fascinated you the most? And, do you know any other interesting facts about dog tail? Let us know in the comments, and I’d be happy to hear them.
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