Do tail wags differ between breeds?
Written by
Elin Eriksson
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D."They" wag their tails according to selective breeds. Herding dogs, such as border collies, developed very particular strike directions, while hounds created high, stiff wags for tracking. I've seen border collies doing a "cock tail" flick in traffic guard dog mode. Northern breeds use their curled tails for improved visibility in the snow. In contrast, companion and toy breeds have developed impressive wagging motions to attract people.
Herding Breeds
- Precision directional signals for livestock control
- Low amplitude movements conserving energy during work
- Tail positions indicating specific movement commands
Scent Hounds
- High stiff wags maintaining visibility in underbrush
- Upright tails during tracking to signal finds
- Distinct flagging motions when locating scents
Northern Breeds
- Curled tails conserving body heat in cold climates
- Limited mobility requiring compensation with vocalizations
- Subtle tail flicks rather than broad sweeps
Companion Dogs
- Exaggerated circular motions attracting human attention
- Full-body wiggles replacing precise working signals
- Plumed tails enhancing visual appeal during interactions
Understand how working breeds communicate adaptations. Herding breeds like Australian Shepherds, or any dog expected to herd, will use tail commands as "extension/release" commands, as do bird hunting points. Hunters use stiff, straight, vertical tails when locating bird, my German Shorthaired Pointer displays his tail stiff and horizontal when locating anything he thinks is worth "pointing" out. Tail high like a flag: special information that has been bred into them for generations.
Acknowledge breed ingeniousness. Poodles had dramatic plumed tails so they'd be seen. Cavalier King Charles spaniels use feathery sweeps when saying hello. My Pomeranian wags his tail like a semaphore when he gets excited. Each breed's expressiveness, when developed, was intended to capture our attention, not enhance efficiency at work.
*Scout the breed and family history of each dog so that you understand what's going on. The metronomic wag of a terrier denotes something else from the joyful swing of a retriever's type. My terrier vibrates the tips of his tail to say, "Heads up, they are coming." That's no big deal to a Lab owner, whose dog's sweep is far more roguish.*
Read the full article: Dog Tail Wagging Meaning: What Your Pup Is Saying
