It is the sign of a cur or that the dog is intimidated.
It is the sign the dog is amped, geeked-up, and wants to nail something.
It doesn't mean a damned thing, one way or the other.
I could see it mean either way. Some dogs always have that fuzz, some dogs show it when they are being dominant or in a dominant position. If it suddenly pops up with other "symptoms" like whining i'd might be a little worried. Or if it all of a sudden goes away when in a bad spot.
But on the other hand i have seen dogs suddenly rising that fuzz and showing every sign of quitting but still runs over every time. I have learned not to read in on things like this to much, cause as soon as you think you have an understanding of it these dogs prove you wrong.
Even if it meant anything its meaningless to me. I've seen it on 3 month old pups, who didn't want to nail anything once they got in range. Then there's dogs who're outstanding in the pit and don't even look at other dogs when hand walking them. Fuck all that, the only good or bad signs i mind are the ones shown on the racetrack.
When i was first around dogs, the gentlemen hated it from grown dogs, they thought it was signs of a cur. Then as time went by I realized most dogs to them were cur for some reason or another. Cur until proven game, they didn't like dogs who barked or constantly growled. They thought the gamest were the most relaxing dogs who didn't waste energy. Then a friend of mines from the west who also trained dogs, told me that it could mean nothing at all. He said he seen it in his dogs and the dogs of other breeds from sign of aggression, to signs of protection or just excitement. He also mentioned what someone else said about it being a natural transformation into just being ready.. Also about animals fluffin up to become bigger.. Yall got me in suspense I want to know now? Got me looking at the dogs for 4 hours last night with a flash light observing their hairs lol
The way I understand it, it's usually part of the dogs threat display. And means he's going into a defensive mindset, and sees the situation as a serious threat. (fight or flight mode). As we know with these dogs the flight part of the equation is usually not much of an option. Lol
Originally Posted by CrazyRed
I don't really care for it BUT from what I have had to deal with it is a sign of a unsure animal who needs to make it self feel bigger than what it is facing. So in young bulldogs who have not been started they can display this but once the action starts and they are settling in you will see the hair relax. In dogs doing Schutzhund or French Ring type sports we see it in new dogs on the field for the first time doing bite work. But the same applies to them with them relaxing and enjoying the fight versus the need to feel larger than they are.
Does this make any sense. I will try to find photos or maybe even video to show the difference
Okay, here is my take on it.
I am pretty much in agreement with EWO ... it is a sign of intensity ... or a sign that it's on.
To those who posted "it doesn't mean anything," this can't possibly be the right response, because (as Steely Dan said) it surely does mean something.
I bring this subject up, because I have seen some of my dogs do this in the past, and heard "experts" tell me it's "a bad sign" ... even though the dog himself (or herself) seemed geeked-up and totally into the fight to me. I considered what they said, but (because my dogs were kicking ass, and/or had ALL OTHER outward indications of being amped-up) I never put much stock into the "it's a bad sign" idea. To me, it was just a sign the dog was amped, and nothing more.
This opinion has been confirmed in my mind with my bitch Amazon.
As I am reduced to being "just a pet owner" now, I am able to observe my ONE dog more closely ... just really watch all of her habits, mannerisms, and take stock of her as she grows up.
Amazon is coming close to being 3 years old now, and it is clear to me she is "turning on" now, totally naturally, without any artificial "start" (or forced roll), etc. She is plainly and simply GROWING UP ... and as she's growing up, she is starting to "get hot" all on her own ... and I am noticing that the hair at the base of her tail seems to perk-up A LOT now ... when she sees strange animals (especially if they growl, hiss, etc.). She is always PULLING HARD to get at them ... never showing fear, but EAGERNESS.
Because it also fuzzes-up WHEN I FEED HER ... when I GRAB A TOY ... when we PLAY ROUGH ... she gets GEEKED UP ... and there is ZERO FEAR involved in this, ALWAYS HAPPINESS / ALWAYS EXCITEMENT.
I have never seen her hair stand up when I punish her or scold her.
When I am truly mad, her tail drops, her ears drop, and she's scared of me when I am pissed off.
FEAR = NO FUZZ.
ONLY when she is HAPPY, ALERT, and EXCITED does that fuzz stand up on her tail ... to eat, to play, and when she sees a strange animal.
Does it mean she's game? No.
But I am 100% convinced that a dog being fuzzed-up at the base of the tail is NOT a "bad sign," but rather it is a sign that the dog is saying, "IT'S ON!!"
Jack
I don't agree that it's a sign of uncertainty; quite the opposite in fact.
I think it's a sign the dog feels competitive, before the actual conflict happens.
I do agree that it goes away after a bit ... that it is almost always something that occurs in the beginning ... and, once things settle, smooths out.
Interesting.
I don't think it's black or white. Dogs can do this when scared to. Like that moment when a dog decides he had enough. Seen it several times, fuzz comes up dog starts barking and just don't want no more. I do think it's usually a sign of dominance or a fighting mode. But as with most things it can mean other things to. Guess it's a matter of when and why. Jmo based on what I noticed seeing dogs quit.
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