Why does a dog need a tail?

"Tailed pets" - this is how cats and dogs are called. Nature does not create anything superfluous or unnecessary, which means that this part of the body is necessary for the animal. Why does a dog need a tail? What functions does it perform?

Physiologically, a dog's tail is an extension of the spine and consists of several vertebrae.

In different breeds, it has a different shape and length. These indicators depend on the place where this variety was bred, as well as on the functions for which it was intended to perform.

There are the following types of tails.

• "Log"... A straight, horizontally extended thick tail. This form was inherited from a common ancestor - the wolf. Nowadays, it is very rare. Examples include St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Labradors.

• Slightly different from the "log" type of tail is called "Saber". The most typical carriers are Dalmatians, Great Danes, German Shepherds, Collies. When the dog is calm, such a tail is lowered and slightly bent, resembling a saber. In an excited state, it rises horizontally or slightly above the back line.

• Hook tail shape is similar to the previous version and differs only in that its tip is bent more strongly. Available in Caucasian and South Russian Shepherd Dogs, Bedlingtons.

• «Crescent". This form is found in mestizo Laikas, as well as in Chow-Chows, Spitz. Its peculiarity is that it bends over the back, but does not lie on it.

• The next type is the "ring". Fully curved and lies on the dog's back. Most often, such a tail is possessed by northern breeds, both hunting and sled dogs, such as Siberian huskies, huskies, Alaskan malamutes.Surprisingly, these species are the closest descendants of wolves, whose tail is shaped like a log.

• There are breeds with a tail in two turns (pugs), in the form spirals (Akita Inu, Bassenji) or corkscrew (French Bulldog).

• In ancient times, hunters developed their own, separate terminology in the naming of different types of dog tails. For example, among greyhounds it was called "rule", among hounds it was called "gon", among pointers it was called "twig". The fine, long-haired tail of the setters is called "feather", "wing" or "flag".

If we draw an analogy with the human body, then the tail can be roughly compared to the hands. Swinging while walking, gesturing while talking - these hand functions help a person feel more confident.

Likewise, dogs: with the help of tail movements, they maintain balance, especially when running fast or walking on uneven surfaces, on sharp turns, when you need to quickly catch up with fleeing prey. This organ helps them stay in the water while swimming.

The tail is also important when communicating with congeners. Directly below it, on the sides of the anus in animals, special secretory glands are located. They secrete a liquid that dogs use to mark territory and communicate to their fellow tribesmen. The tail raised upward with a strong movement, like a fan, carries its smell around. If the dog wishes to remain "incognito", it lowers its tail, covering the glands.

Here are some meanings.

• Relaxed, level with back - the dog is calm and friendly. But at the same time, she is attentive to what is happening around.
• Raised vertically up, tense and motionless - the animal senses some kind of danger and prepares to resist it. Can also smell prey.
• Omitted - expression of obedience, submission and recognition of authority. It is a sign of sadness when the dog misses the owner or indicates a feeling of discomfort.
• Energetic propeller movements - delight, stormy joy at the meeting.
• Tight tail - the dog is afraid of something.

If you closely observe the pet, you will notice that the tail is almost constantly in motion.

With its help, the dog communicates with the outside world, owners, relatives, transmits information. The leaders of the pack, "authorities", for the most part keep their tail proudly raised up, thereby personifying the dominant position in this area and spreading their scent.

In the process of studying the behavior of animals in different situations, scientists have identified one interesting feature. Under the influence of positive emotions, the movements of the tail are more directed to the right, and with a negative, negative influence, on the contrary, to the left.

Tail wagging is not always a sign of joy and good mood.

The dog waves at them when meeting and meeting his relatives, when he expresses obedience to the owner and wants to apologize for some trick, feels uncomfortable in the company of strangers, but does not dare or is afraid to show aggression.

Puppies, when they are born, do not know how to wag their tails. This skill gradually develops by about one and a half months. The kid perceives the tail as something extraneous, plays with it, tries to catch it.

If an adult dog begins to do the same, there may be several reasons for this:

• misses, tries in this way to attract the attention of the owner, to play;
• is under the influence of stress, panic attacks;
• a nervous disease is also possible, here a veterinarian's consultation is already required.

Tailless dogs do not exist in nature. And no matter how much the breeders tried to breed such a breed, nothing happened.

The fashion for docking, that is, the complete trimming of the tail, has its roots in medieval England.

At that time, there was a tax on the length of dog tails. The owners, wanting to save money, began to shorten them. Gradually, this trait began to be considered the standard of some breeds (especially those bred in the UK).

They also cut the tails of participants in dog fights. Now, in connection with a more detailed study of the physiology and psyche of dogs, the feasibility of this procedure is being questioned.

As with any business, there are pros and cons.

Positive factors include considerations of the safety of the animal when performing a task. For example, during the pursuit of a predatory beast, the health and even the life of a dog largely depends on whether the enemy will be able to grab its tail. Well, if it is not there, then there is no danger.

The same applies to animals serving in the military, law enforcement, rescue teams, and rat-killing organizations.

Hence, the operation to remove the tail is carried out exclusively according to indicationswhen it is due to concern for the preservation of the life and health of the dog.

The downside is that the body gets injured. If cropping is necessary, it is done at a very early age, preferably before the puppy is five days old.

If the surgery is unsuccessful, the dog will experience constant pain and discomfort.

All these factors can lead to a change in character and behavior for the worse.

Therefore, in recent years, in many countries, docking has been banned as an inhumane action in relation to animals. It is allowed to do it only for those dogs in whose official activity the presence of a tail poses a certain danger.

Of course, no one has yet canceled the existing breed standards, and individuals that fully comply with them are allowed to participate in exhibitions. Each owner decides for himself whether to remove the tail of his dog or not. But if the decision has already been made to stop, then important points should be remembered:

• this should be done at an early age, during the first five days of life;
• the operation must be performed by a specialist veterinarian.

Considering all the above points, it is safe to say that a dog needs a tail very much - for movement, communication with other dogs and with people. In the end, just for beauty and self-confidence - after all, with what pride they carry this natural adornment!

For information on why a dog needs a tail, see the next video.