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The tale of a dog’s tail

September 1, 2010 by jamesk  
Filed under Dog Training Tricks

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Dogs are one of the tailed members of the animal kingdom. These delicate extensions of the spine that can be long, thin, bushy or short stubs serve the dog in varied ways. Dog tails are commonly viewed as an appendage that enhances the appearance of our canine friends. A long, curved and well feathered tail is certainly the pride of a Japanese Spitz and an American Eskimo Dog. A beautiful tail certainly enhances the appearance of the dog but the tail is used by the dog in many other ways as well. 

One of the important uses of a tail is to be the dog’s balancing device. Speed is an all important asset of a hunting dog. These dogs have to be agile as well to overpower their prey. Similar to tightrope walkers that uses bars to maintain balance, dogs make use of the tail as a counter balance when scaling cliffs to follow prey. Without the tail serving as a counter balance, a dog running at great speed that has to make an abrupt turn will surely topple over. The tail is used as well by water retrievers as rudders to swim more efficiently.

In spite of the inability to talk, dogs can communicate effectively by using the tail. By using the tail, dogs can efficiently communicate with humans and with other animals. Even a non-dog enthusiast will know that a happily wagging tail indicates the friendly nature of the dog. Be wary with a dog that bares its teeth and holds te stiff tail high as it is likely to attack.

Dogs understand each other simply by the way the tail is held. Furthermore, the tail serves as a unique ID system for dogs. Anal gland secretion is stimulated when the dog raises its tail. Dogs use this unique scent to identify each other. In a pack, the tail is a tool that shows the rank of the dog. Alpha dogs are seen with a tail that is held very high and being wagged stiffly and widely. A tail held lower and wagged slowly signifies that the dog is lower in rank.

The tail has another purpose – for comfort. Similar to a cow’s tail, a dog’s tail is used as a swatter that will drive pesky flies and other insects away. Serving as a scarf, a tail provides the dog with much needed warmth in very cold weather. Northern dogs that sleep outdoors uses the tail to protect the face, especially the nose from cold.


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