I live with two tail wagging Goldendoodles and one tail wags all the time. Humans generally associate happiness with a tail wagging dog.
This notion made me curious. Is Jaxson happier than Harley?…
The appearance of their tails AND the reasons behind when they wag them intrigued me.
Why do they do what they do?…
The tail of a Goldendoodle can be a beautiful plume – either curly or smooth. Goldendoodle tails ride high up over their backs then slightly curl over.
This is a very common trait of the Goldendoodle.
But yet, when you look at Harley and Jaxson the dissimilarity is easy to spot.
Harley’s tail favors his Poodle heritage #mamasdoodle
It reminds me of my Grandmother’s duster. You know the one you’d use to clean the top of the door frame. Thick and pouffy…
Jaxson’s tail is definitely like his paternal ancestors. It reminds me of a horses tail, and feels like it across your face early in the morning too…
Many times during the course of the day Harley’s tail is relaxed and laying down. But Jaxson keeps his at attention. straight up, curled over with long strands flip flopping as he walks.
SO –
Is Jaxy happier than Harley? #nope!
While we associate tail wagging with our dogs mood, there are many other reasons why they wag their tails.
AOL News aired a video titled “10 Things You Likely Didn’t Know About a Dogs Tail” and trust me, there were a few things I was clueless about.
WATCH –
Numbers 7 / 6 / & 5 blew me away.
After watching the video I can’t take my eyes off the backsides of these two dogs #kinkydoodlemom
Both Harley and Jaxson seem to be “rightward” tail waggers. #thusfar
That doesn’t mean when “anxious” they could/would easily wag to the left. #Imatailwatcher
Research also states that every canine understands the meaning in a left or right tail wag from another dog.
Now I’ll be paying much more attention to other dogs tails vs. Harley’s attempt to straddle their backs after each greeting. #Harleythehumper
TELL US –
Did something in particular on that list surprise you?
ONE MORE THING –
Hop on over to our post about the Tether Tug Dog Toy giveaway and register to win a free one.
Your pup will enjoy it and afterwards, you’ll love him even more – when he’s like this…
GOLDEN hugs & DOODLE kisses to the victims, surviving families and friends in Orlando, FL
June 13, 2016
We’ve heard most of that before, but had no idea dogs don’t wag when they are alone. Bailie is a serious wagger, but she is also a huge tail thumper. We still wonder what that is all about! Fun post!
June 13, 2016
Jaxson is a thumper too! As a matter of fact my daughter and I thought long and hard about changing his name when he was about 6 months old. Oh – how I wish we lived closer, you and Harley could lounge around while Jaxson and Bailey played 24/7. Katie could chill with the humans!
June 13, 2016
I know that my dogs wag their tail when they’re a bit nervous; which surprised me, because I used to think all tail wags were a good thing.
Great post and thanks for the video! Love when you find these gems.
June 13, 2016
I too had no idea the tail played such a major role in expressing different emotions. Did you find out the direction of their tails yet? Your welcome – happy you enjoyed it!
June 13, 2016
We sure are jealous of those cool tails
Lily & Edward
June 13, 2016
Don’t be – your tails are PAWfect for both of you!
June 13, 2016
It is interesting how their tails differ even though they are the same breed! I hadn’t really thought about that before. Harley and Jax always seem very happy in your photos. Their tails are always held high and they have smiles on their faces. 🙂
June 14, 2016
Thanks Robin, I would like to think they are happy:) On occasion when Harley is standing still his tail will relax and lay down, but that’s rare.
June 13, 2016
Youve got me curious now. Charlie’s lays to the right and Baxter’s lays to the left side. Both are always fanned up onto their backs, unless upset/scared/angry. When Charlie wags his tails, it’s a full arc, right to left to right to left, brushing the top of his back. When Baxter is happy, same but he does a bashful/silly wag where he does just the one side.
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Xo
June 14, 2016
Well right to left wagging is a good thing (according to my findings!) I didn’t find anything that covers information regarding which direction it lays – so I believe you’re safe 🙂 #noworries. Jaxson’s tail opens up like some sort of flower and plumes downward so I have no idea which side it rests on.
June 13, 2016
Ruby is a Yorkie-Poo and has very curly tail. It pretty much never stops wagging.
June 14, 2016
Sounds to me like Ruby is one happy pup. Is it wagging from right to left?
June 14, 2016
I always used to think tail wagging meant they were happening, but it can mean so many different things. Your dogs are beautiful 🙂
June 14, 2016
Thanks Kia – how have you been?
June 14, 2016
Fascinating info! There were several that have eluded me all these years. 🙂
June 14, 2016
You’re not alone – trust me. I was like “say what?” Happy to hear you enjoyed it!