The Many Uses Of A Dog’s Tail
Dogs are one of the tailed members of the animal kingdom. Bushy, long, thin or short stubs – these types of tails are delicate extensions of the spine that is used by the dog in a lot of ways. A dog tail is a useful body part that improves the appearance of a dog. Japanese Spitz and American Eskimo Dogs are two breeds most admired for their beautiful tails. A dog’s tail though has many other purposes aside from making the dog beautiful.
The tail is used by a dog as an important balancing tool. Hunting breeds of dogs are very fast runners. These dogs have to be agile as well to overpower their prey. Not unlike balancing tightrope walkers, dogs uses the tail to maintain balance when they need to walk on narrow ledges in search of 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.
Dogs don’t have the ability to talk but their tails can do the talking efficiently. The tail is used by the dog to communicate not only with dogs but with humans as well. It is a common knowledge that a loosely wagging tail is a sign that the dog is friendly. Be wary with a dog that bares its teeth and holds te stiff tail high as it is likely to attack.
The tail is an important body part that allows dogs to understand each other. Additionally, the tail is the dogs’ one of a kind ID system. When the tail is raised, a small amount of anal gland secretion is released. Dogs use this unique scent to identify each other. The rank of a dog in the pack can easily be distinguished by observing the way the tail is held. It is customary for alpha dogs to stiffly and widely wag a tail that is held high. Dogs lower in rank can be easily distinguished as the tails that are held much lower are wagged slowly as well.
The tail has another purpose – for comfort. Not unlike the way cows use the tail to drive insect, a dog also uses the tail as a swatter. A tail, acting as a muffler allows a dog to brave extremely cold weather. Northern dogs that sleep in the open are all curled up in the snow with the tail resting on the face to keep the nose protected from draft.
Learn more about why dogs have tails, dog first aid and other interesting dog facts at Sarah’s Dogs.
Tags: animals, dog tail, dogs, pets, why do dogs have tails
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