What purpose does a dog's tail serve, and what is its typical lifespan?
Dogs are canine mammals found all over the world. They began to be domesticated by humans as far back as tens of thousands of years ago, and can be considered humanity's most loyal friends. There are many dog breeds, and they are the most commonly kept pet animals, deeply loved by everyone. Every time a dog sees someone familiar, it wags its tail. So what purpose does a dog's tail serve? How long is its lifespan?
1. What purpose does a dog's tail serve?
1. Maintaining body balance
When a dog walks or runs, its tail helps maintain body balance, which is also why they can jump, climb slopes and so on so agilely.
2. Spreading a special scent
A dog's way of making new friends is quite strange: it will sniff the other's rear end. This is because a dog's rear end has a special gland that secretes a unique, distinctive scent, and the constantly wagging tail acts like a fan, allowing that scent to spread farther.
3. Expressing emotions
When a dog is happy, it will keep wagging its tail, especially when its owner walks over from a distance, acting very affectionately and wagging its big tail nonstop. If a dog feels very frightened, it will tuck its tail tightly between its legs, looking very cautious.
Overall, a dog's tail is like another kind of language for it. Different types of dogs have somewhat different tail shapes and sizes, but the meanings they express are much the same.
2. How long is a dog's lifespan?
A dog's lifespan is mostly around ten-plus years, but it varies with different breeds and different ways of raising them. Generally, small or medium-sized dogs gradually enter old age seven years after birth, while large dogs do so five years after birth.
For a healthy dog, the lifespan is calculated as follows: generally, one year after birth counts as 17 years old, two years as 23 years old, three years as 28 years old, and each additional year adds about 4 years, so a dog ten years after birth can be counted as 55 years old in human terms. Nowadays, as standards of care have improved, dogs' lifespans are a bit longer, and some dogs can live 20 years.
Once a dog enters old age, its senses weaken and degenerate, and its movements become very sluggish. At this point we must care for it even more attentively. When taking it out for a walk, watch out for obstacles ahead, and when the weather is cold or when it sleeps, cover it with a warm blanket. Take it regularly to the vet for health checkups to prevent illnesses from being delayed in treatment. After all, it is our good companion as humans, and we must care for it carefully. Once you decide to keep a dog, you must not abandon it.