The Labbies go swimming (*30 pics*)

**.sarah** · 02-22-2007, 09:32 PM

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by dukedogsmom

Love all those swimming Labbies! I can't wait for Dasher to get introduced to the pool. I always love your pics and seeing your dogs. I've got a question for you. Dasher never raises his tail more than level with his back (wagging or otherwise) Is that a Lab thing or does he just have a way to go on being secure in his new home?

It depends more on the individual dog's temperment. Holding up the tail can be a sign of dominance or confidence, or it can just be how they are built (there are certain breeds that always carry their tail up and over their back). With Labs, they are rarely dominant or aggressive (correctly tempered ones, anyway), so they generally carry their tail out rather than up. Luka is dominant so she generally carries her tail up. Buck is not dominant but he is just very confident and outgoing and sometimes his tail is up, though usually when he's with other dogs it will be down or straight out. I never see Nova with her tail up. She is always at the bottom of the pack no matter where we are. Mandy, on the other hand, almost always has her tail up when she's interacting with other dogs. She has to be at the top of the pack or she's unhappy.

So really, it depends on the individual dog, but Labs in general are not dominant so won't carry their tail up. Most Labs do carry it straight out from their body - this is what Nova does. And if you ever see a dog show and look at the Lab breed ring, 99% of the Labs will have their tails out and wagging.