With a cheerful demeanor and a tail that wags with the constancy of a metronome, it comes as no surprise that the Cocker Spaniel would earn the nickname of “Merry Cocker.” That tail action, however, also has earned its own term: “Merry tail action.” It refers to the wagging tail carried on a line with or a little above the dog’s topline.

Image: “Toby” by Barbara Hymer is available as a print here.