Body position. If a dog's tail is stiff and raised high on the body, this is often a sign of heightened alertness and confidence. Limber tail is also known under the names “cold water tail”, “limp tail”, “swimmers tail”, “rudder tail” and “broken wag”. The tail of an affected dog will either hang down limply or will extend out straight for two to three inches and then drop down. If the tail is touched a dog with limp tail might cry or whine in pain but some dogs will also show they are painful by whining even when the tail isn't being handled. Stiff tail. The tail of a dog with limber tail may hang lifelessly from the root or stick out a little before drooping down. Since the tail is also used for balance, a dog with limp tail may have difficulty getting up after lying down and with squatting to urinate or defecate outside.
Limber tail syndrome is one of several names for the medical condition, acute caudal myopathy. A spaniel in full pleasurable wiggle will have trouble keeping any part of himself still - he’ll stay close to the ground, wriggling in a blur. It is sometimes called called ’broken wag’ or ‘dead tail’. Limber Tail. This high, stiff tail with a fast wagging tip generally means the pup is alert and aroused. An aggressive dog may have a stiff, straight tail that seems to shake rather than wag. He is confident and enthusiastic and strutting his stuff. An erect tail does not necessarily mean the dog is aggressive but you may want to proceed with caution. Dogs may stand-alert with a stiff, tall body position and their head pointed upwards towards you.
A terrier standing with tail stiff and erect will also have a stiff and erect body, stiff face, closed mouth, and unblinking eyes. Tail Tucker Under Body Shows Anxiety. Others may tuck their tail behind them. If a dog’s tail is down all of a sudden, the chances are that he got this condition. ‘Swimmers tail’, or ‘cold water tail’ are other names for this condition. The tail may still wag but the movements are usually quick and the dog may have focused on an object, person or another dog. It is also commonly known as cold tail, swimmer’s tail, and broken wag.