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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 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. A dog’s tail though has many other purposes aside from making the dog beautiful. 

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. Tightrope walkers use balancing bars, dogs use their tails when trailing their prey on narrow ledges. The tail serves as a counter balance that prevents the dog from toppling over when they need to make a sharp turn. Water retrievers make use of the tail as a swimming aid.

Dogs can’t talk but their tails can speak volumes. Dogs have an efficient tool in communicating with humans and other animals - the tail. A person doesn’t have to be a dog expert to be able to understand that a wagging tail means a friendly dog. Bared teeth and a stiff tail held high is as good as a written sign that the dog must be approached with caution.

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. When the tail is raised, a small amount of anal gland secretion is released. This scent that is unique to every dog is used by dogs 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. 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.

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