((( FUZZING UP AT THE BASE OF THE TAIL: BAD SIGN OR GOOD? )))

[Officially Retired]

Just curious at what some of our "dogman experts" here think about a dog that is fuzzing-up at the base of the tail ... is it a bad sign, a good sign, or does it mean anything at all?

What is the consensus here?

Please vote ... and add any opinions here if you'd like.

Jack

[Officially Retired]

You can't see the results unless you vote

[SteelyDan]

I've seen it happen when a dog wants to nail something. I've seen it happen half way through work when they start to put the wood to something. I've seen it happen when the dog comes out of a nice warm house on a cold day like it was goose bumps.

When it comes to that kind of thing.... I recognize and acknowledge it like I would with any behavior but I don't judge it until after the fact. Maybe over time it will give me impressions of what is to come (are they starting to draw? Are they pulling up?) but right now I keep it simple and let them show me everything they have and not judge them prematurely based on fuzzing up, tails dropping, tails raising, even turning. Not every bad sign leads to a bad result, but they just may.

[Officially Retired]

Interesting ... thanks for sharing.

I have my own thoughts on the subject, that I will share after enough other people share their thoughts, but so far not a single person thinks it's a "bad sign" yet.

I was taught it was a bad sign; however, my experiences tell me otherwise.

Interested in what others have to say

[SteelyDan]

It means something.... No doubt. IMO it could mean so many things though that it's just one of those things that could differ from dog to dog, breeder to breeder, eye to eye. Just something I don't put much weight in with the nucleus of dogs I have.

[S_B]

It has been my observation that it is to show any other dog "I'm bigger and more dominant" than you.

Same as when you see a Rooster puff their neck feathers while holding that head high.

[EWO]

Somewhat agree here. It is a display. How meaningful I really do not know. I had an older fellow tell me once it was a sign the dog was turning on, really wanting it for himself. Sort of like naturally starting vs. having 'starting' thrust upon the dog.

I have seen it in both game dogs and in cur dogs but one thing both have in common is intensity. The dogs that have the knot/raised hair on the tale are usually more intense. EWO

It has been my observation that it is to show any other dog "I'm bigger and more dominant" than you.




Same as when you see a Rooster puff their neck feathers while holding that head high.

[SteelyDan]

Somewhat agree here. It is a display. How meaningful I really do not know. I had an older fellow tell me once it was a sign the dog was turning on, really wanting it for himself. Sort of like naturally starting vs. having 'starting' thrust upon the dog.

I have seen it in both game dogs and in cur dogs but one thing both have in common is intensity. The dogs that have the knot/raised hair on the tale are usually more intense. EWO

Theres a condition they call.... Stud Tail. It has to do with a scent gland in both male and female dogs. It is the violet gland and is used for scent marking... Wonder if this has anything to do with it? Territory marking?

[S_B]

Theres a condition they call.... Stud Tail. It has to do with a scent gland in both male and female dogs. It is the violet gland and is used for scent marking... Wonder if this has anything to do with it? Territory marking?

Steely....stop with the Googler!

[EarlyBird]

I took My Pup For A Walk In An Unknown Area Yesterday And As We Apporached This House Which I Knew Had Dogs The Pup Was Fine Until The Dogs Started To Bark Growl Etc.The Pup Stop And I See The tail Frizz Up, So I Made The Block And As We Approached The House Again Barking Growling Etc This Time No Frizz Tail.