What is the purpose???

Question

What is the purpose of a dog's tail???

Answer 1

Dogs have tails for all sorts of reasons. The two main ones are balance and expression.

Take a look at a dog when it's running. It counterbalances cornering with its tail, like a motorcyclist leaning into a turn.

Then take a look at what a dog does with its tail when it's angry (tail held stiffly behind it and ears flattened against its head), or happy (tail wagging frantically), or unhappy (between legs). Dogs do, indeed, keep their noses warm with their tails (especially huskies and the wolves which they are descended from). Dogs also use their tails when swimming as an extra buoyancy aid and as a rudder.

Some breeds of dog like boxers or corgis have their tails artificially "docked" (removed) when they are puppies for cosmetic reasons - because it's supposed to "look" better.

As for other animals, tails are useful for keeping off flies, grasping branches of trees, courtship rituals or threat displays. Even we humans have the remnants of a tail in the Coccyx, the very base of the spine.

Answer 2

The original purpose of a dog's tail was for balance during the fight. Keep in mind that dogs were created as wild creatures and they had to fight to stay alive and their tails allowed them balance when they were on their 2 back legs.

Answer 3

Balance, communication. Here's a good article about it:
http://www.dogtraininginstitute.com/?p=dog_wagging_tail
Just as people learn to compensate when losing a limb, so will a dog. I knew a three legged dog that lost a leg just after birth and you'd never know the dog had lost a leg if you couldn't see it. He ran, walked, climbed stairs. He compensated for what he grew up without.

Answer 4

I have read that cat's tails are for balance, but I don't know if it's the same for dogs, since many breeds' tails are docked, and they seem just fine.

Answer 5

Most dogs use their tails to communicate through body language. Many breeds that are used for hunting use their tails to communicate or indicate to the hunter.

Answer 6

I think this is an excellent question. The purpose i read about, when i was like 8. I believe it is too maintain Balance. So they don't fall over. Lol. I can't clearly remember sorry.
Good luck!

Answer 7

To show happiness, eagerness, to dent my car, to whack me in the legs!
Perhaps for balance.
People who dock dogs' tails are nutcases and cruel. Don't ever do that.

Answer 8

To whip you with when they are happy to see you and to knock over (usually full) cups on the coffee table. They can even spill beer too!

Answer 9

1. to talk
2. to balance and "steer"
3. to spread the scent

Answer 10

Survey saaaaaaays... balance and expression.