Dogs are one of the animals in the animal kingdom that have tails. 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. A well feathered tail that curves on a Japanese Spitz' or an American Eskimo Dog's back will not fail to gain the dog admiring attention. However, enhancing the appearance is not the only purpose of a dog's tail.
A dog's tail has one very important role - as a balancing tool. Hunting breeds of dogs are very fast runners. Agility is an important quality that enables hunting dog to catch 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. The tail serves as a counter balance that prevents the dog from toppling over when they need to make a sharp turn. 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. The tail is used by the dog to communicate not only with dogs but with humans as well. Even a non-dog enthusiast will know that a happily wagging tail indicates the friendly nature of the dog. Bared teeth and a stiff tail held high is as good as a written sign that the dog must be approached with caution.
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. The scent of the secretion is distinct in every dog thus it is used by dogs to recognize each other. The rank of a dog in the pack can easily be distinguished by observing the way the tail is held. Alpha dogs are seen with a tail that is held very high and being wagged stiffly and widely. Dogs lower in rank slowly wag tails that are held low to signify submission.
The tail is used for comfort as well. Another purpose of the tail is to drive insects that pester the dog. A tail, acting as a muffler allows a dog to brave extremely cold weather. Northern dogs that sleep outdoors uses the tail to protect the face, especially the nose from cold.
A dog's tail has one very important role - as a balancing tool. Hunting breeds of dogs are very fast runners. Agility is an important quality that enables hunting dog to catch 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. The tail serves as a counter balance that prevents the dog from toppling over when they need to make a sharp turn. 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. The tail is used by the dog to communicate not only with dogs but with humans as well. Even a non-dog enthusiast will know that a happily wagging tail indicates the friendly nature of the dog. Bared teeth and a stiff tail held high is as good as a written sign that the dog must be approached with caution.
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. The scent of the secretion is distinct in every dog thus it is used by dogs to recognize each other. The rank of a dog in the pack can easily be distinguished by observing the way the tail is held. Alpha dogs are seen with a tail that is held very high and being wagged stiffly and widely. Dogs lower in rank slowly wag tails that are held low to signify submission.
The tail is used for comfort as well. Another purpose of the tail is to drive insects that pester the dog. A tail, acting as a muffler allows a dog to brave extremely cold weather. Northern dogs that sleep outdoors uses the tail to protect the face, especially the nose from cold.
About the Author:
Learn more about why dogs have tails and other interesting dog facts at Sarah's Dogs.
No comments:
Post a Comment