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

[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.

[texaco]

I think it has to do with the flight or fight system in dog's as well as us humans when challenged by an opponent or put in a dangerous situation. Some refer to it as anxiety

[No Quarter Kennel]

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 agree with your assessment Jack. I really do. However, I think we've all seen the "exceptions" and of course there are exceptions to all rules, if there is a rule.
I've seen my share of stiff legged, "fuzzed" up at the base of tail, walking around growling, looking out the corner of their eye kind of dogs when UNSURE of their situation. These dogs were generally dogs I would never want for myself and were typically man biters and even more, fit in the category of FEAR MAN BITERS! Dogs i would shoot if mine.

There are a lot of dogs and a lot of reasons a dog would fuzz up at the base of the tail. I think it means what it means FOR THAT DOG! I do NOT believe it is something to be used as a universal "sign" that can be used from dog to dog. Much like turns. A turn is typically and most times a bad sign. You can still win with a dog that turns, and I agree, you should want a dog that does NOT turn, but again, exceptions to all rules will tell you, some dogs are game as hell and "turning" is something that particular dog just does or it is part of his style.

Interesting topic and great responses

[Officially Retired]

[ONP]

In my experience the tail fuzz has always been coupled with puppy-ish behaviors like growling or barking. As the experience level increases the fuzz has subsided. I've only had one gyp that showed that sign not make the grade. Thinking back, the fuzz was prevalent in majority of our starts. But, all our Carter females whined and cried throughout all their athletic endeavors. I think you make the assessment based on your lines characteristics.

[TALLMAN]

I have noticed the raised ring on pits for many years, usually occurring when they go on point or really getting into something. My best guess is, it is caused when the tail muscles having mobility are contracted to the point the muscles are adhered to the tailbone structure too tightly to move. Thus, causing the skin to stretch at this furthest mobile point, raising the hair to vertical.
Interestingly, one old line of dogs of Howard Teal had a tendency to throw a screw tail occasionally. It was noted by a few at that time that some of those dogs that did not exhibit a screw tail, would have three raised rings when they went on point.