What is the purpose of a dog's tail?

A dog's tail serves three main purposes: expressing emotions, maintaining balance, and spreading scent. First, dogs can express their emotions through the movement and position of their tails, and owners can determine their mood by observing their tail status. Secondly, when dogs run or jump, they can use their tails to maintain balance. Lastly, dogs have the habit of using urine to mark their territory, and the wagging of their tails helps to spread their scent, sending signals to other dogs.

1. Expressing emotions

A dog's tail is an important body part for expressing emotions, and the position, amplitude, and frequency of the tail movement vary under different emotions. When a dog is happy and joyful, they will vigorously wag their tail, while when they are tense or scared, they will tuck their tail away.

1. Maintaining balance

The primary function of a dog's tail is to maintain balance, allowing them to walk steadily and easily perform complex jumps or climb slopes. When dogs swim or pass through narrow spaces, their tail also serves to maintain balance, helping them avoid obstacles nearby and prevent collision.

1. Spreading scent

There is a special gland near a dog's tail that secretes a unique scent belongs to them. When a dog wags their tail, they can spread their scent farther, which facilitates them in making new friends.