Gay tail

Repeat after us: It all depends upon the breed standard.

A gay tail is a tail that is carried very high, or over a dog’s back, or certainly higher than is approved by the dog’s breed standard. It’s what we all strive to see as owners.

Quick, short wags: This movement often occurs when meeting a new person.

At the dog park, someone said my dog had a “gay tail.” I didn’t want to let on that I didn’t know what she meant, so I just nodded. You ran into someone with a fair amount of canine knowledge, I’d say, possibly someone who has shown her dogs.

The term “gay tail” has nothing to do with your dog’s gender or sexuality, or if he’s neutered or not.

If there’s a new object or person in their environment, this wag is probably a sign of them feeling unsure.

High placed with quick movements: Get ready to chase your dog down, as this movement means they’re about to flee or attach something. But it doesn’t help you decode what tail movements are trying to communicate.

Tufted

Tufted variations are identified by the hair on the tail’s tip. Can you tell me? It can ensure they don’t get caught on something or suffer other problems on the work site.

Notable Breeds With Bobbed/Docked Tails:

3. Saber

Saber tails are notable for having a long, slight curve while hanging low to the ground.

Furthermore, it can help them stay warm in colder circumstances.

Notable Breeds With Sickle Tails:

2.

Dog Word of the Day: Gay Tail
Today’s dog term is “gay tail.” With a vast array of dog breeds populating the planet, there are many different dogs blessed with different types of tails.
Tail carriage refers to the way dogs carry their tails and tail set refers to the placement of the tail.

And you should be, too.

More on Vetstreet.com:

You can expect to find breeds with shorter versions or corkscrew ones that go beyond the ring’s closure. Otter

Otter tails, also known as swimmer tails, often get mistaken for other types. Most of us are reluctant to admit ignorance because, well, refer back to the whole looking stupid thing.

A “gay tail.” It’s not this!!

It’s just a simple matter of matching the description to what lies on their body.

Let me know what your dog’s type in the comment section. If your pup is off-leash and this occurs, it’s a recipe for a disaster.

Fast, long wags: A friendly movement that every owner loves to see. The power of clicker training!
References:
Show me, A Dog Showing Primer, by D.

Caroline Coile, Barron’s Educational Series; 2 edition (January 1, 2009)
Photo credits:
Elias ´t Beuke Jagerken, Simona Nováková, owner – Own work, public domain

8 Common Dog Tail Types Explained (with Examples)
Dog tails are much more varied than most people assume.

Karen Pryor mentions this on her website. OTOH, the Smooth Fox Terrier standard calls for the tail, or stern, to be carried gaily, but not over the back; the Lakeland Terrier calls for the tail to be set high on the back – and even though it is customarily docked – the tip of the tail is level with the occiput on the dog’s head when the dog is stacked or set up in show position.

You’d be surprised by how much an owner can learn by knowing what specific actions mean.
Let us take a quick overview of a few positions. Luckily, this procedure (docking) has become controversial and even banned in some countries.