Piloerection (Hackles Raised)

Hair raised along the vertebral column / back. May be exhibited along the neck and withers, along the back to the tail, or only on the withers.
(Murphy, 1998; Goodmann, 2002; Koler-Matznick, 2005)

This mixed breed female is displaying piloerection with hackles raised along the neck and withers, back and rump. Her tail is lowered, head pulled back between her shoulders, ears back.

This young female Belgian Malinois is leaving at a trot, with shoulders lower than her hindquarters, ears back and piloerection on her withers and rump.

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The adult Cane Corso has encountered a young male Australian Shepherd. The Cane Corso is exhibiting piloerection along his back, and on his supracaudal gland (or tail gland). The Cane Corso leaves and marks with urine. When the Australian follows him, the Cane Corso turns in a circle, staring at him. The female Berger Blanc Suisse has head lowered, ears turned sideways, and is exhibiting piloerection along her entire spinal column as she moves away from the mixed breed male. The two dogs sniff each other, circling, and the male leaves the interaction.

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This female Irish setter stands stiffly and still during olfactory exploration by two males (an Australian Shepherd and a Tibetan Terrier). Piloerection is visible on her withers and rump. When the Tibetan Terrier leaves, the Setter orients toward the Shepherd, licking her flews, and the two dogs sniff each other. When the Tibetan Terrier returns to the interaction, the Setter moves away, looking beyond the fence towards the area outside the training field, then stares at the Terrier before leaving. The Setter tries to catch her owner's eye, then moves off, leaving the interaction.

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