Dogs' tails are so expressive and help us to understand what mood our dogs are in. A dog will use their tail as a handy communication tool with other dogs and with us. But why do dogs' tails wag?

How Does a Dog Wag Its Tail?

A dog's tail is made up of vertebrae (short bones), muscles, and nerves, all of which allow for a wide range of movement. The muscles drive the wagging motion at the base of the tail, which can create various angles and speeds of movement. Different breeds have different tail types. Think of the Pug, for example, their curly tail is completely different to most pups. 

Do All Dogs Wag Their Tail?

All dogs wag their tail! They wag their tails throughout the day at different speeds and at different times.

Some authors suggest that a waggy tail is linked to a high heart rate. The science behind this is probably a bit shaky, but if a dog is excited, then it's likely their heart rate may go up and their tail may get waggier, but it's unlikely that one is dependent on the other.

But have you ever wondered about their tail wagging behaviour? Why do they do it, and what tail movements may mean?

What Does it Mean When a Dog Wags Its Tail?

Dogs use their tails to communicate. Dog tail wagging is a type of body language. We tend to associate a waggy tail with a happy dog, but sometimes dogs can use their tail to convey other emotions too, including.

• Happiness
• Friendliness
• Anxiousness or uncertainty
• Aggression
• Dominance

Let's explore those emotions more clearly and highlight the subtle differences in each.

Happy or Friendly Dog Tail Wag

A happy dog tail wagging tends to involve a really fast wagging of the tail (sometimes with the whole body), and a relaxed body posture. This type of wag often involves broad, sweeping movements and may also be accompanied by other signs of excitement, like jumping or playful barking.

Sometimes dogs wag their tails to express submission or to communicate friendliness. A dog approaching another dog may wag its tail while keeping its body low to the ground. This submissive wag signals a non-threatening intent and hopefully helps to prevent fights.

Do Dogs Wag Their Tails When Anxious?

Yes. A dog's tail can also indicate anxiety or uncertainty. A slow, low wagging tail might suggest that a dog is feeling unsure about a situation. They may also crouch down with their whole body while apprehensively wagging their tail, too.

A high, stiff wagging tail can sometimes indicate aggression or dominance. This type of wagging is usually accompanied by other body language clues, like a tense posture, raised hackles and showing their teeth.

A dog showing any signs of fear or aggression should be approached really carefully, if at all. It may be feeling threatened and ready to defend itself.

Does the Dog's Tail Position Mean Anything?

The way they hold their tails can be a key component for a dog's communication, too. A tail held high, but relaxed and wagging, usually means excitement and happiness. Dogs will often carry their tails high when they're in a playful mood, are curious about something, or are eager to meet and greet someone.

A tail held in a neutral position may indicate the dog is relaxed and content, so isn't feeling particularly excited or threatened. A tail that's held low or tucked under between the back legs can indicate fear, submission, or discomfort.

It's important to look at the whole dog and all their body language to understand how they're feeling.

Does the Direction of the Wag Mean Anything?

Probably not, but some people believe that wagging their tail to the right can indicate positive emotions and wagging to the left may correlate with negative emotions.

Some studies show that the direction of tail wagging is linked to activation of either the left or right hemisphere of the dog's brain. We're not convinced on the science behind these theories, and even the scientists themselves have said that "the issue remained open whether this asymmetry conveyed any meaning to an observing dog".

So, make your own judgement on the way your dog's tail moves and take this information with a pinch of salt!

What About Dogs with Docked Tails?

Traditionally, docking has been done for working breeds to prevent tail injuries when running through prickly undergrowth to pick up pheasants, etc. However, for most dogs, there's no need to remove any part of the tail, unless they have an injury or disease affecting the tail that requires surgical removal.

In the UK, tail docking is illegal and considered a 'mutilation' under UK law. Only a qualified veterinary surgeon is allowed to dock a dog's tail, and this is only if the owner can prove that the puppy or dog is going to be used as a 'working' dog. 

Dogs use their tails for balance and to communicate, so it's probably best to let them keep their beautiful waggy tails and enjoy seeing them use them.

What If My Dog's Tail Doesn't Wag?

You know your dog better than anyone, so if your normal waggy pooch has lost their wag, it may be worth a chat with your vet.

It may just be that they're having an off day, but it could be an indicator that they're feeling unwell. There are even some medical conditions that affect the tail, and there may be a medical reason that they can't wag. A painful injury may make it too uncomfortable to wag their tail, and injuries may be well hidden under long hair.

Limber Tail Syndrome

A condition called "Limber tail syndrome" is quite a common condition that causes their tail to go limp. This is caused when a dog's tail muscles have been strained or sprained. It usually happens in dogs that regularly wag their tails very fast and hard, after swimming in cold water, or suddenly do more exercise than usual.

Fortunately, this isn't a serious issue and it's usually a temporary problem, but always speak to your vet if you're worried.

Dog's wag for many reasons and a big, fluffy, happy wag is something to enjoy. How your dog wags their tail, along with their overall body language, will tell you how they're feeling. If your dog isn't as waggy as usual, then your vet will be on hand to help get them wagging again.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.