Which dogs do and do not have a coat that stands up on the neck ??

Was wondering this today and embarressed to say i dont know so perhaps you can all tell me?!

Obviously the rodesian ridgeback has a ridge but what i mean is my Lab and my cross (who has GSD in her) when they are playing and are very excited or perhaps have an adrenilin rush there coat stands up on their backs and neck which looks like a ridge.....but guess it is not called that?

So what breeds do this as well? Does it depend on coat length is it as simple as that ?
Does your dog have it and what are they??!


Sorry for asking a dumb question but am bit curious

Do you mean the hackles?
I thinjk you will find that most breeds do this, not sure of poodles though, but maybe you just cant see it with them.

Elaine xx

Yes couldnt think of the name!

My greyhound doesnt do this that is why asked about coat lenghth?!
And wanted to know about poodles or more unusual breeds that i havent had much to do with. What about long coated dogs?

I think the hackles are there if I'm not mistaken, I think it's just like us when were cold. It's the hair folicle that constricts. So wether the dog has long or short coat I think it would be the same.. think of Wolves in the wild, there hackles would go up a lot more than dogs in the home.
Maybe it's just more prominent in shorter haired dogs. My two BC's short coated but still quite long, if you know what I mean And you can see when their hackles are up.
Elaine xx

My GSP has a definite `ridge` when he bristles.

When the coat rises along the spine, it is usually referred to as " Hackles "

When a dogs hackles rise, it can be for a number of reasons.

But it is usually to make them selves look bigger , more imposing.

They will rise depending on the dog, in defence/ anxiety/ play/stimulation

All of mine do this at the back of the neck usually when they are chasing something out of the garden!! Sox (whippet) does it when Molly the dog next door plays with her bucket (she runs about with it on her head!!) he then runs about like a loony with his hackles up and i think this is because he wants to play more than anything else but who knows....

My dalmatian bitch has a very short coat and can still raise her hackles both in play and also when she's unsure of something.

Eddy raises his a lot (because he's a grumpy old man), his coat is thicker and a bit longer and is more obvious than when Takara does it.

I call the hackles the 'mohawk', cause' that's what I think it looks like when my boy raises his!

Mine not only do it at the neck but also in front of the tail base when roused.
Diesel has a funny little bit about 2" across and an 1" long that sticks up half way down his back when he's chasing his ball. He's got an almost velvet coat.