husky tails

Question
Why do Husky tails curl over their backs? This is for my students.

Answer
Well, they don't always.  A dog's tail can be an expressive part of their anatomy, and can be carried in different positions for a variety of reasons.  Generally, when a dog is happy and enjoying himself, the tail will curl up over the back.  Dogs who are posturing (defending territory/aggression) will often raise the tail and move it slowly back and forth.  This can sometimes look very similar to a happy dog tail too . . . takes some practice to tell the difference.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Siberian tail is not when it's curled over their back, but when they lay down and cover their face with it.  There are only two places on the body where the dog can effectively lose heat - their paws and their noses.  When it is really cold out, a dog needs to conserve heat.  They do this by curling into a small ball, tucking their paws into their stomach and chest to preserve the heat escaping their paws.  This just leaves their nose, so they curl their thick, bushy tail over their face to keep the nose warm.  An amazingly effective way of preserving heat, and it allows a single dog to survive temperatures at night to about -40F.  Put the dogs in a pack and they will huddle together and survive a night another 20 or 30 degrees colder.  (That's right, 60 or 70 below zero)

Hope that helps some!