subject: Why Do Dogs Have Tails [print this page] Dogs are one of the denizens of the animal kingdom endowed with a tail. The tail can be short stumps, well feathered, long or short - all the same, this extension of the spine has many purposes for a dog. A dog tail is a useful body part that improves the appearance of a dog. 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. Hunting dogs are acclaimed for their speed. These dogs have to be agile as well to overpower their prey. Tightrope walkers use balancing bars, dogs use their tails when trailing their prey on narrow ledges. Used as a counter balance, the tail prevents a dog making a sharp turn from tumbling 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. 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. A tense dog with bared teeth and stiff tail held aloft is aggressive.
The tail is an important body part that allows dogs to understand each other. Furthermore, the tail serves as a unique ID system for dogs. Anal gland secretion is stimulated when the dog raises its tail. The scent of the secretion is distinct in every dog thus it is used by dogs to recognize each other. Dogs are pack animals and the tail is an efficient tool in recognizing the rank of the dog. It is customary for alpha dogs to stiffly and widely wag a tail that is held high. A tail held lower and wagged slowly signifies that the dog is lower in rank.
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. A bushy tail that is draped on the face allows Northern dogs to sleep comfortably in the snow.
