Types of Tails Found in Purebred Dogs

Why are different types of tails found in purebred dogs?

According to the American Kennel Club, "Purebred dogs are the result of a long process of selective breeding for specific physical attributes and temperaments." It is generally believed that this began when dogs were domesticated over 15,000 years ago. Since dogs were trained to herd, hunt, provide protection and supply companionship, they were bred to have specific traits, including different types of tails, to better serve their owners and themselves.

Here are a few examples.

The otter tail is one of the most easily recognized types of tails found in purebred dogs. An otter tail has a round thick base and is tapered at the end. The coat on the underside of the tail is naturally parted. One example of a dog with an otter tail is the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador Retriever, bred to retrieve the hunter's game on land and in water, can make use of this type of tail as an effective rudder when swimming.

A brush tail is a bushy tail which resembles a round brush. The Siberian Husky, bred as a sled dog in Asia, uses his brush tail as a rudder when he is pulling a sled through the snow. This thick coated type of tail also provides insulation from the cold. When lying down, the Siberian Husky sometimes tucks his head under his tail to keep to keep warm.

A plume tail is similar to a brush tail except that the dense hair tapers to a shorter length at the end. An example of this type of tail is seen in the Alaskan Malamute. Also bred as a sled dog, the Alaskan Malamute uses his plume tail much the same way as the Siberian Husky uses his brush tail.

A bob tail is a short, stump like tail. This type of tail occurs naturally and is not to be confused with a docked tail. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi, bred to herd cattle, is an example of a dog with a bob tail. Since this breed is only about 12 inches high at the top of the shoulder, the bob tail is short so that it can not be stomped on by cattle when the Corgi is herding.

The whip tail is one of the most vulnerable types of tails found in purebred dogs. A whip tail is a long thin tail that is rigidly carried straight back in a horizontal position. The Weimaraner, bred as a German gun dog, is born with this type of tail. Since it is very susceptible to injury and permanent tail damage when the Weimaraner is working in the field, the whip tail is usually docked to a few inches when the dog is several days old.

What do dogs with all these different types of tails have in common? They will all be happily wagging their tails back and forth when their owners arrive back home.