About This Quiz
It's the puppy eyes when your pet wants something from you. It's the happy yip when they know you're at the door. But what speaks the most, is the tail of our fur babies. From their current mood to their heartfelt desires (treats) and their enjoyment in retrieving a ball, a dog's tail speaks volumes. The position of a dog's tail can provide additional clues to their thoughts. For instance, the more anxious or submissive a dog is feeling, the more tightly he will tuck his tail close to his body. Sometimes a tail held in a neutral or low position just means the dog is incredibly relaxed.
The tails that wag on different breeds also have a distinct history. For some hunting and herding dogs, their tails would collect burrs and foxtails, causing pain and infection. Their long, strong tails would also get underfoot (or under hoof). So to prevent injury, they were docked. Other breeds had their tails docked for cosmetic reasons only, to make their sleek bodies more perfectly proportional. Today, the practice of docking is banned or restricted in 36 countries including in the United States.
Now that you know about a dog's tail, will you be able to identify the breed of dog it belongs to? Find out now by taking this quiz. We're sure there will be a happy ending.
This spotted breed is known for running alongside fire engines in the 18th century. Today they are known for being a great family pet.
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Since the German Sheppard is the second most popular dog in the world, you may be able to recognize its tail better than other breeds.
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Another popular breed worldwide, the Golden Retriever ranks fifth as a favorite of many families.
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This muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and pushed-in nose has a very small tail, indeed! But a very happy dog nonetheless.
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Whether it's a standard, miniature or toy, that famous poof of fur on its tail is identification enough for this intelligent and sweet breed.
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The beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare. Most people think of Snoopy when they think of a Beagle.
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A Labrador Retriever is the ideal dog to get for hunting. It is also the most popular dog breed by registrations worldwide.
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The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.
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The Pug is a breed of dog with physically distinctive features of a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. When the Pug is fully relaxed its tail will unwind.
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This terrier was developed during the 19th century in Yorkshire, England, to catch rats in clothing mills. Good dog!
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Rottweilers were originally bred to drive cattle to market. Later they were used to pull carts for butchers. They were also among the earliest police dogs.
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The Siberian Husky looks more wolf-like than other breed and has piercing blue eyes. With proper training, they make great home pets and sled dogs.
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The Boxer's body is compact and powerful. They are listed in the top ten of breeds that people own across the world.
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The French Bulldog, also known as Frenchie, is a small breed of domestic dog. Although you'll see a tail on these dog, they are meant to be short and not docked.
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As long as you don't mind a little drool slung here or there, the English Mastiff is a gentle giant that makes a great family pet.
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The Dachshund is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed developed to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals.
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The Great Dane was developed in Germany for its graceful appearance, large size, and hunting ability. It is also know for its friendly and loving temperament.
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This fearless breed was originally developed around 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector from Germany.
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Although they can be groomed to look like royalty, the Maltese dog breed is a favorite lap dog. But be forewarned, this breed also has a wild side and loves to run and play.
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This breed gets a bad rap. However these dogs are known as "nanny dogs" because they are so gentle around children.
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A Shih Tzu, is hyper-allergenic, but their popularity is due to how cute they are. As a toy breed, they only weigh between 4 to 7.25 kilograms when fully grown.
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The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog which was developed in England from early herding types of dog. But you'll want to keep this sociable and bubbly dog around you in your house.
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The Akita is a large breed of dog originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. This is a docile, friendly, and dignified breed.
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The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese breed that was owned exclusively by royalty. This dog was identified in art and pottery in the Tang Dynasty of the 8th century.
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Who's a good dog? The Border Collie is! This working dog was developed for herding livestock and bred for intelligence and obedience.
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The Chow Chow is a dog breed originally from northern China, where it is referred to as "puffy-lion dog". This breed has also been called the "Dog of the Tang Empire".
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The Pointer has been breed for several hundred years to “point” at birds and small game such as rabbits. Made for hunters, this gun dog was developed in England.
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The Pomeranian is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. This pup is curious, playful, and self-confident (even cocky).
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You can bet on this dog to make a good family pet. Or, you can bet on this dog at the track. The Greyhound has been bred for coursing game and racing.
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The Alaskan Malamute is originally bred for hauling heavy freight due to their strength and endurance, and later as a sled dog.
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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small spaniel that simply wants to be your best friend. It is one of the more popular breeds in many countries.
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This big beauty was originally used to pull nets for fishermen and haul wood from the forest. This dog is a strong swimmer and equally strong “pack horse.”
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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle herding dog breed which originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. This breed is active, lively and oh so lovable.
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Originally St. Bernards were used to guard the grounds of Switzerland's Hospice Saint Bernard as well as to help find and save lost and injured people at the Great St. Bernard Pass on the Italian-Swiss border.
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The Basset is a scent hound that was originally bred for the purpose of hunting hare. Their sense of smell and ability to ground-scent is second only to that of the Bloodhound.
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When a cotton-ball cloud of curly white hair ends up on your lap, you'll never want to part with the Bichon Frise, one of the sweetest and most affectionate of dog breeds.
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The Afghan Hound is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end. The dogs were bred for living in the cold mountains of Afghanistan
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So ugly, it's cute. The Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family and is known for starring in Bud Light commercials.
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The Airedale Terrier is the largest of all terrier breeds. The dense, wiry coat is tan with black and is hypo allergenic.
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The Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, hard-muscled herder of strength and agility. It was originally bred in Australia for driving cattle over long distances.
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