08/23/2024
❓- Why do dogs have tails? 🐕
1️⃣ Balance
Dogs use their tails to balance when moving quickly, changing direction, climbing, or walking on narrow surfaces. The tail acts as a counterbalance, helping the dog put its weight on the opposite side of its tilt, similar to how a tightrope walker uses a balance bar. When swimming, a dog's tail can act like a rudder to help it move and turn.
2️⃣ Communication
Dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs and humans. For example, a dog might wag its tail faster to express excitement, like when it's happy to see someone.
➕Other purposes
Dogs might also use their tails to fend off insects, increase or decrease their scent, and help them control their jumps.
🤓 Do you want to hear a tall tail? The Irish Wolfhound Keon holds the Guinness World Record for the longest dog tail, measuring 30.2 inches from the top of the tail to the tip. Keon's tail is so long that some say you could use it to play jump rope!
