7 Dog Breeds That Wag Sideways: Understanding Unique Signals

One of the common misconceptions is that dogs wag their tails only when they are happy. Pleasure might be one of the many causes behind a wagging tail, but there can be several other reasons as well. For instance, your dog might be trying to respond to the changing environment.

The American Kennel Club says, dogs are very sensitive to movement, and a moving tail is a visual cue for other dogs. However, it is worth mentioning that newly born pups do not understand what it means when dogs wag their tails.

When they turn one, they start communicating with their mother and littermates using baby talk. A puppy wags its tail to inform its mother that it’s hungry or to tell its siblings that it’s tired of playing.

To understand your dog’s tail wag, you need to pay attention to two factors: the speed of wag and the position of the tail.

Have a look at these 7 dog breeds that wag sideways.

7 Dog Breeds that Wag Sideways

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds due to their friendly and affectionate personalities. Labs communicate their enthusiasm and joy with their owners through their dogs’ tails. Whether they are playing fetch or greeting their family, you will always see them wiggle their tails.

Labs are highly social and thrive on interaction, making the tail wag a clear reflection of their happiness. These gentle canines convey their love for people and other animals through their body language. They will always greet you with a wag of their tail and a lick on the face.

If you are looking for a swimming partner and an adventurous, happy-go-lucky canine, a Labrador might be the right fit for you. All you need is to give them plenty of love, exercise, and a bit of training to keep their tails happily wagging.

2. Golden Retriever

Just like their Labrador cousins, Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly demeanor, lustrous medium-length coat, and tail wags. These gentle canines show affection and excitement by enthusiastically moving their tails sideways.

Golden Retrievers are described as people pleasers: they use tail wagging as a way to express their unwavering loyalty and devotion to their owners. Whether their favorite human is celebrating a family reunion or heading for a leisurely walk, Goldens will be there happily swishing their tails.

Golden may also signal a tail wag at the sight of water. They are natural swimmers and have a strong affinity for water. However, they are quite sensitive, so you have to be careful while training them. Golden Retrievers are well-suited for active owners who enjoy being outdoors, explains Purina.

Thus, it becomes important to understand what a Golden Retriever’s wagging tail means.

3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a sweet dog with expressive eyes, a beautiful, long coat, and a tail wag. They are incredibly social and enjoy being the center of attention. Cavaliers are fond of interaction and wag their tails vigorously when they are happy, excited, or simply surrounded by their loved ones.

These companion dogs are always eager to please their owners. Whether playing indoors or heading out for a daily walk, their tails are a constant blur of motion. Cavaliers are affectionate, intelligent, and highly trainable.

Do you know? Cavaliers were originally bred in the 17th century for the British royalty, explains PetMD. King Charles I and II were so fond of this dog that they took them everywhere, including parliament.

Other than tail wags, they extensively use their facial expressions and behavioral signs to communicate with their owners. Cavaliers make excellent pets for first-time owners due to their easygoing personalities.

4. Boxer

Boxers are medium-sized dogs with a somewhat serious appearance, but their tail wag tells a different tale. These playful and energetic dogs’ tails move with gusto. This wagging is often combined with the classic Boxer wiggle, in which they move their entire backside.

Boxers also use their tails to express a wide range of emotions, including happiness, excitement, and anticipation for treats and rewards. Sometimes their tail wag reflects their fun-loving and spirited nature.

Understand your dog’s emotions through moving tails: A Boxer’s high tail wag means they are happy while a low or tucked tail is an expression of fear or anxiety, explains Pacific University.

These incredibly social dogs constantly move their tails to express their warm hearts. Boxers have a remarkable ability to attune themselves to human emotions. They will greet you with a tail flick when you come home and share your sadness with a sympathetic nuzzle.

5. Beagle

Beagles are small hound dogs with a characteristic white-tipped tail. Their tail wags infectiously display their curious nature and cheerful personality. Beagles swish their tails while tracking a scent or while interacting with their families.

These happy dogs often signal their excitement and eagerness to explore by their tail position. Beagles love spending time with their families and are fond of adventures. Their ever-wagging tails wag even more while playing.

Walking Beagles wiggle their tails to express contentment. The gently sweeping tail, ears in a natural, comfortable position, and soft eyes are the sure signs that your Beagle is in a good mood. However, they do not like being alone and try to communicate it through their voice.

6. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd is a hardworking herding dog, known for its lively tail wag. Aussies flick their tail to express a wide range of emotions. When this high-energy dog wags its tail, it shakes its whole rear end side to side.

Aussies use their entire body to express happiness and excitement—they wiggle their tail and butt and curl themselves into a U-shape. These active dogs are always ready for action and often reflect their joy and energy through their movements.

Aussies are highly social and love to be a part of family activities, which again, they express by tail wags. This behavior is a sign that your Australian Shepherd is happy at home, with you, or with any other pet. You can encourage your dog by providing adequate exercise and balanced food.

7. Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are gentle and affectionate dogs who express their happiness through dog wags. These loving dogs thrive on companionship and vigorously wag their tails while spending time with their owners.

Their tail position does not let them hide their excitement, whether they are playing, walking, or getting pampered by their favorite human. Apart from excitement and affection, a tail wag is also a great way of expressing contentment.

Many owners report that their Cocker Spaniels keep moving their tails all the time when eating, drinking, running, or having a bath. A bundle of joy in a small package, these adorable pooches are characterized by their silky coats.

Conclusion

Dogs cannot talk like humans. They use vocalizations, tail positions, and tail wags as a way to communicate. From the sweet-natured Labradors to the frolicsome Cocker Spaniel, several dog breeds are known for having ever-wiggling tails.

Dog owners should learn to understand what a dog needs by a wagging tail. Dogs wag their tails to communicate and it is important for dog owners to understand what wagging tail means fora dog at that moment.