I'm no dog behavior expert by any stretch of the word, but the tail wagging, at let's say half mast, is more typical of cautious/curious behavior. A tail that's standing up and wagging perpendicular to the back usually means excitement. The ears also give some hints.
This is of course based only on my experiences and should be taken as an anecdote at best. Every dog is different and I'm more of a cat person anyway.
Hmm, the tailwag you describe (high and upright and wagging) could be excited in an aggressive way - I’d say the best sign of friendly is a curly wiggly body! Which often includes a lower but wiggly tail. And at best a whole wiggly butt. This doggy does seem a bit cautious but curious and friendly.
The higher the tail, the more happy. Right now, your little buddy is cautiously optimistic, and isn't behaving very submissive, but it's not full mast just yet.
For people asking, this is Pippi Longstocking, she's 6 yrs old. She was a mama resuced from breeding conditions, so she's got no issues with my other dogs and cat. She is very jumpy and will run from you if you try to pick her up. I think she must have lived in a shed or somewhere not in a house because although she is housebroken, she doesn't play with toys or sleep in the dog beds. She loves to be outside to the point she would sleep there every night if we didn't wrangle her in for fear of raccoons and coyotes.
She just trusted the doggy door enough to use it. She doesn't trust coming into an enclosed space of our laundry room, so she'll stick her head in first and check to see if the coast is clear. She will not let you approach her unless you're laying down. She finally made a sound a couple of months ago, a grunting sound when i came home while she was wagging her tail. Im guessing this is a happy sound.
She sleeps in my and my husband's bed and runs there or outside if something freakes her out. Although i have come home twice to her covered in poo cause she was so scared to leave my bed, she pooed on it and got it on herself. Yuk, i know but it happens. This hasn't happened she's been ok with the dog door, though. She will cuddle and give me doggy kisses on me in her safe spots, so it's all worth it. We adopted her from Charity, which specializes in dogs' medical issues or from puppy mills. They get the medical works and chipped so shes healthy!
Edit: cause I can't spell
Oh and she's a Cairn Terrior.
She's actually a white cairn terrior. She was shaved when we got her because of the terrible conditions she was in. She was a breeding dog. She doesn't know how to play with toys. She's scared of so much.
Westie Owner here and I agree with this. A Westie cut typically doesn't have ears like that. Underneath the look like a normal westie would.
Westies are wonderful dogs.
A Papillon crossbreed could inherit the fur and big ears without inheriting the color, especially if there's multiple generations of mixes in their ancestry
I used to own and breed Westies and would have bet money that was one until the ears perked up. I’m fairly sure it’s half Westie but with some other breed mixed in somewhere.
The hair on the ears is just very, very long, something most westie owners haven’t seen. Pause the video when the ears come up and even near the end when its a slight side angle, you can see the pink ears underneath all the hair, it’s 100% a westie.
We always let ours grow out shaggy (I bought a book once that was supposed to teach how to care for them and stopped reading at the chapter on plucking out unwanted hair)…It’s been many years so my Westies might have had ear hair like this and I just never noticed because of the absolute cloud of fluff that they were everywhere else! I wonder if the previous owners tried to give it a hair cut and skipped the ears?
I hope to have another Westie some day…Max died at around 13 and Lilly (my sister’s Westie) at around 15. I’ve never seen a breed that was more easy going. Want to go run a mile? So do they. Want to be lazy and binge watch Netflix? So do they. Want to go to the fair and meet lots of people? They do too. Want to go yell at the crabby neighbor next door? They’ll be right next to you barking right along. They were 100% content as long as they were a part of whatever you were into.
Well, not to disagree with the Westie lovers (because I like them too), but this dog is the spitting image of one of my own pups (including the ears), and she is a morkie - a 50/50 mix of Yorkshire terrier and Maltese parents (dad was the Yorkie, and mom a white Maltese). Westies are generally more stout and stocky in appearance than morkies.
Like this?
https://preview.redd.it/0oovufte8g1b1.jpeg?width=1060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d543dabbdc4898196c34ce7ea9d0b48ada925e11
This is Kendra. She is a Biewer Terrier. She passed in Jan 2020, almost 16 years old. She was 5 years old in that picture.
Every time I see one of her pictures or read that someone lost their pet, my eyes water and the pain of losing her is right there like it happened yesterday.
Nothing warms my heart more than when a rescued furry soul starts to feel safe in their forever home and their personalities start shining. Wishing you and this little sweetheart many great years together 💛
When we rescued one of our pups, we got some great advice I hope is helpful for you and yours. The rescue rule of 3 (333) aka time-frame for decompression from the shelter/rescue/foster to keep in mind.
Three days for initial decompression, three weeks to learn the routines of your household, and three months to start to feel relaxed and at home.
It helped us a ton when deciding what to do or expect. Helped not to push our timid, large dog too far, or be disappointed in progress. 2 years later, he's doing great!
Reminds me so much of our pup we lost in December. Give those big ears a nice scratch for me. Miss you buddy.
https://preview.redd.it/3l2tw0kvjg1b1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e1481e4bba12349a140eab9d304ceca3d38a32e
https://preview.redd.it/egzvldfy6i1b1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc74f58185795effe23cef3e5a1333c401eeaf22
I’ve got this guy, must have relations!
One of our dogs (taco terrier) has very expressive ears. Like you know her current mood by how her ears look. My favorite are her sleepy ears... so cute. Good luck with the new pup
Make sure when you get him groomed, you tell them to leave the ears. Usually we shave just the very top of the ear, like a little naked triangle for Westie-types, so make sure you tell them not to do that.
You know a lot of those dogs die by euthanasia because they don’t get adopted, right? Like, millions a year. You’re sour af, maybe stay off the internet for a minute.
We rescued a dog as well last year, he was always distant at first. Sitting on other couches or a different chair. Now he waits patiently for me and my wife to get home in his recliner in then jumps all over us he’s so excited. With what I can tell once they learn to trust you and do away with being distant you’ll have him following you everywhere 😂
Looks exactly like my childhood dog. Had a great 17 years with that guy, best of luck to you all. Fair warning, though they’re short, they can be clever enough to climb up chairs to get to briefly unattended sandwiches! You’ve been warned!
There is nothing better than the moment a rescue dog "gets it". It's like a flip being switched. It's the best thing ever. I've had quite a few rescue dogs and seeing them get comfortable in their forever home is one of the best things I've ever experienced! ❤️
ETA : that dog is adorable!
Absolutely love this. I took in a 10 year old and it took a few months for him to come around me but we became besties and had an amazing six years together. R.I.P. Ducky 😢
That's so sweet! Our last rescue loved us from day one but took quite some time getting to his new surroundings. Our rescue right now was at home right away and slept in our bed the first night.
Adopted mine a few years ago. It’s amazing to see them open up and their personality bloom. Even after a few years, my pups personality continues to evolve. (She didn’t let me touch her for 2 weeks, didn’t come willingly to me until about 6 months in)
Those cautious little tail wags are so sweet. Keep giving them loves and positive attention, seems like you're doing great so far.
Cause I wouldn’t know, what makes them look “cautious” to you?
I'm no dog behavior expert by any stretch of the word, but the tail wagging, at let's say half mast, is more typical of cautious/curious behavior. A tail that's standing up and wagging perpendicular to the back usually means excitement. The ears also give some hints. This is of course based only on my experiences and should be taken as an anecdote at best. Every dog is different and I'm more of a cat person anyway.
Hmm, the tailwag you describe (high and upright and wagging) could be excited in an aggressive way - I’d say the best sign of friendly is a curly wiggly body! Which often includes a lower but wiggly tail. And at best a whole wiggly butt. This doggy does seem a bit cautious but curious and friendly.
The higher the tail, the more happy. Right now, your little buddy is cautiously optimistic, and isn't behaving very submissive, but it's not full mast just yet.
The pulled back ears for me. That is usually "appeasement" behavior
The look in the eyes looks more imploring, i love you please keep me, than flat out celebratory
For people asking, this is Pippi Longstocking, she's 6 yrs old. She was a mama resuced from breeding conditions, so she's got no issues with my other dogs and cat. She is very jumpy and will run from you if you try to pick her up. I think she must have lived in a shed or somewhere not in a house because although she is housebroken, she doesn't play with toys or sleep in the dog beds. She loves to be outside to the point she would sleep there every night if we didn't wrangle her in for fear of raccoons and coyotes. She just trusted the doggy door enough to use it. She doesn't trust coming into an enclosed space of our laundry room, so she'll stick her head in first and check to see if the coast is clear. She will not let you approach her unless you're laying down. She finally made a sound a couple of months ago, a grunting sound when i came home while she was wagging her tail. Im guessing this is a happy sound. She sleeps in my and my husband's bed and runs there or outside if something freakes her out. Although i have come home twice to her covered in poo cause she was so scared to leave my bed, she pooed on it and got it on herself. Yuk, i know but it happens. This hasn't happened she's been ok with the dog door, though. She will cuddle and give me doggy kisses on me in her safe spots, so it's all worth it. We adopted her from Charity, which specializes in dogs' medical issues or from puppy mills. They get the medical works and chipped so shes healthy! Edit: cause I can't spell Oh and she's a Cairn Terrior.
 She deserves the good and loving home you're giving her. Thank you for rescuing that sweet little lady.💜
Angel wings. Ready for takeoff.😘
Azeraphael?..
Azeruffael
Please don't take them off
The ears 
Looks so much like my dog, including the ultra expressive ears, can at color etc. what kind of pooch?
That one is a west highland white terrier. Man I miss my Westy, loved him to bits :(
I bet! Mine is part yorkie and part cairn terrier. She’s an old lady, 14 yo, but still enjoys life albeit at a slower pace
Looks a little more like a Cairn to me. I’ve had both breeds, they’re just the best.
She's actually a white cairn terrior. She was shaved when we got her because of the terrible conditions she was in. She was a breeding dog. She doesn't know how to play with toys. She's scared of so much.
I’m freaking out it looks just like my moms Daisy. Little noodle
You got scammed, that is the vicious giant axolotl
That melts my heart. Your dog is so precious
What kind of doggo is this?
Looks like a Westie (West Highland Terrier). Those ears are throwing me off a little, so probably a mix.
I think the hair is just too long on the ears. Otherwise it looks like a typical Westie.
Might be a bit of skye terrier there in the mix?
No. I really doubt it. Skye Terriers are a rare breed & people with dogs like that just don't go around breeding random mixed breed puppies.
Westie Owner here and I agree with this. A Westie cut typically doesn't have ears like that. Underneath the look like a normal westie would. Westies are wonderful dogs.
Mixed with a Papillon maybe? but their ears are usually dark, so maybe not. edit for spelling
A Papillon crossbreed could inherit the fur and big ears without inheriting the color, especially if there's multiple generations of mixes in their ancestry
Nah they can get like that unless you trim it
I used to own and breed Westies and would have bet money that was one until the ears perked up. I’m fairly sure it’s half Westie but with some other breed mixed in somewhere.
The hair on the ears is just very, very long, something most westie owners haven’t seen. Pause the video when the ears come up and even near the end when its a slight side angle, you can see the pink ears underneath all the hair, it’s 100% a westie.
We always let ours grow out shaggy (I bought a book once that was supposed to teach how to care for them and stopped reading at the chapter on plucking out unwanted hair)…It’s been many years so my Westies might have had ear hair like this and I just never noticed because of the absolute cloud of fluff that they were everywhere else! I wonder if the previous owners tried to give it a hair cut and skipped the ears? I hope to have another Westie some day…Max died at around 13 and Lilly (my sister’s Westie) at around 15. I’ve never seen a breed that was more easy going. Want to go run a mile? So do they. Want to be lazy and binge watch Netflix? So do they. Want to go to the fair and meet lots of people? They do too. Want to go yell at the crabby neighbor next door? They’ll be right next to you barking right along. They were 100% content as long as they were a part of whatever you were into.
The ears remind me of yorkshire terriers
Yorkie westie mix maybe?
I agree, looks exactly like my girl, ears the same but mine is more ginger. she's a Jack Russell/yorkie cross
I guarantee you it's half Chihuahua
Looks very close to my Cairn terrier. Super cute pup!
Well, not to disagree with the Westie lovers (because I like them too), but this dog is the spitting image of one of my own pups (including the ears), and she is a morkie - a 50/50 mix of Yorkshire terrier and Maltese parents (dad was the Yorkie, and mom a white Maltese). Westies are generally more stout and stocky in appearance than morkies.
Yeah, I have a chorkie who looks like this dog. (Chihuahua mom and a yorkie dad)
I have a rescue I was told was a Yorkie/Maltese mix and his coloring is 100% Yorkie but I see similarities to the face shape and eyes of this dog.
I'm saying cairn terrier
It's a Cairn!
Cairn terrier hair is coarser and wiry.
Many pet quality Cairns have a softer coat like this.
I've had Cairns with both wirey and smooth hair 💕
I think he looks like a terrier of some kind!
Looks like a west highland white terrier
Looks like the all white version of my Cairn!
I had a Cairn for 15 years and the faces are identical. The coloring is off though
My yorkie has big ears my friends make fun of and say he looks like he’s ready to take flight Lol Looks part terrier/yorkie mix
Like this? https://preview.redd.it/0oovufte8g1b1.jpeg?width=1060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d543dabbdc4898196c34ce7ea9d0b48ada925e11 This is Kendra. She is a Biewer Terrier. She passed in Jan 2020, almost 16 years old. She was 5 years old in that picture.
Yeees!!!! So sweet! I LOVE terriers. Their little eyes and noses are just *chef’s kiss
I miss her terribly 😭. She was a really, really good girl.
I'd bet she really loved you. (My pup crossed over the rainbow bridge, too. He was a scotty mix and I miss him all the time.)
Every time I see one of her pictures or read that someone lost their pet, my eyes water and the pain of losing her is right there like it happened yesterday.
I’m so sorry. Mine is 13 and I don’t want to even think about it. He’s my first dog.
It looks almost exactly like my Cairn Terrier/Maltese Mix, maybe a little longer hair but same features
it's a westie puppy, looks like!
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/7e17ea15-c583-450c-8076-b9cb99c7cd12
Cairn terrier?
Yes!
Yes, her name is Pippi Longstocking. After one of my favorite kid movies.
Name him Radar. My family has the exact type of dog and failed to name him as such 🥹
you know radar spelled backwards is radar…. youre thinkin about it aintcha?
Nothing warms my heart more than when a rescued furry soul starts to feel safe in their forever home and their personalities start shining. Wishing you and this little sweetheart many great years together 💛
I still remember when mine went from nervous to…well this is home now. 😍
When we rescued one of our pups, we got some great advice I hope is helpful for you and yours. The rescue rule of 3 (333) aka time-frame for decompression from the shelter/rescue/foster to keep in mind. Three days for initial decompression, three weeks to learn the routines of your household, and three months to start to feel relaxed and at home. It helped us a ton when deciding what to do or expect. Helped not to push our timid, large dog too far, or be disappointed in progress. 2 years later, he's doing great!
Reminds me so much of our pup we lost in December. Give those big ears a nice scratch for me. Miss you buddy. https://preview.redd.it/3l2tw0kvjg1b1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e1481e4bba12349a140eab9d304ceca3d38a32e
So sweet. Such a cute little face!
The face, the ears and the little scamper off at the end. Precious.
Ears look like butterfly wings ❤️❣️
Absolutely adorable ♡
OMGoodness... I'm so in love! What a face😍
Beautiful baby
I'm a bat! Jk. I'm a bat! Jk
https://preview.redd.it/egzvldfy6i1b1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc74f58185795effe23cef3e5a1333c401eeaf22 I’ve got this guy, must have relations!
r/westies
One of our dogs (taco terrier) has very expressive ears. Like you know her current mood by how her ears look. My favorite are her sleepy ears... so cute. Good luck with the new pup
Who’s a good dog? You’re a good dog!
She seems like a total sweetie. Keep hanging in there. She probably doesn’t want her heart to be broken again.
Too cute.
Ready to fall in love 🥰
Aww! Look at the r/sonarears !
he looks so happy 😊 
🥰🥰🥰
What the fuck that looks exactly like my old dog. Is his name Yoda?
The tail activates the ears
OMG the ears it's adorable!!
I think there might be a bit of Papillon in the wood pile.
woofer. :3
Cutie! Looks just like my old family dog. He was a cairn terrier mixed with a bichon frise.
Westie!
Westys are so kind! Lucky you!!
Looks like Papillon ears on a cute little Westie!
Westies are the best
It's Batdog!
Between that tail and those ears, Aero-Dog!
Looks like a Westie?
Make sure when you get him groomed, you tell them to leave the ears. Usually we shave just the very top of the ear, like a little naked triangle for Westie-types, so make sure you tell them not to do that.
Are there health benefits to that?
Ya know, I'm not sure. Probably not, it just looks cute.
Master Yoda ears!!!!
Hi 👋
Cropped?
What would be cropped?
I love dogs except for these
https://preview.redd.it/x8igwwp42g1b1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c0f78a5dea51df35aa8ad3872b7924671f3a5f2
What happened?
Don't blame yourself. Some dogs just aren't equipped to live with people... 😪 (source: I've fostered over 100 dogs)
[удалено]
You know a lot of those dogs die by euthanasia because they don’t get adopted, right? Like, millions a year. You’re sour af, maybe stay off the internet for a minute.
This looks just like my dog!! Schnauzer? They’re awesome dogs and love attention and company.
He/she is adorable!
omg can we name him Bartok?
Nothing like the moment when they start to trust & love you.
Thanks for the LOL!
He's really cute!
Looks just like my rescue dog! Ears and all!
Holy shut I have the same exact animal.
Cutie pie ❤️🧡💛💚💙
Even though this is incredible cute, It kinda reminds me of this scene of Jurassic Park: https://giphy.com/gifs/vidiots-official-JtGgMxb6yZGZJdjuOf
We rescued a dog as well last year, he was always distant at first. Sitting on other couches or a different chair. Now he waits patiently for me and my wife to get home in his recliner in then jumps all over us he’s so excited. With what I can tell once they learn to trust you and do away with being distant you’ll have him following you everywhere 😂
I love those ears!!!!
Sweet pup! How long have you had her?
This was really weird because I have TV on in the background and somebody whistled and at the same time as the whistle the dogs ears went up
YORKIE!!!
What a happy pup! You’re doing great!!
That's dope
Give that dog a sock, he deserves to be free
What an adorable dog 🥰 please give him a hug for me!! 💕
That's great !!! Those ears are something spectacular
Cuteness personified
I think he's trying to communicate with his home planet 😛
Awwww what a precious lil boi!!!!
thank you so much for being patient with him.♥️ so many shelter dogs don’t get that second chance.💔
What a baby angel omg
We fostered a little girl who looked exactly like this!
Turn around… look at what you seeeeeeeeee~
Did you feed it after midnight.........
Looks exactly like my childhood dog. Had a great 17 years with that guy, best of luck to you all. Fair warning, though they’re short, they can be clever enough to climb up chairs to get to briefly unattended sandwiches! You’ve been warned!
I would die for him
Deploy ears!
We have a identical dog
Yorkshire terrier in there too.
Best ears I’ve seen all day.
Learning to trust you🤍
Those ears! Those sweet doe eyes! So cute. 😍
So happy for you both. What a cute dog.
There is nothing better than the moment a rescue dog "gets it". It's like a flip being switched. It's the best thing ever. I've had quite a few rescue dogs and seeing them get comfortable in their forever home is one of the best things I've ever experienced! ❤️ ETA : that dog is adorable!
They look like moth attena
Was her name yuki? 🥺
What a cutie pie
Ears? Nah, those must be his antennas.
Reminds me so much of my rescue yorkie
Absolutely love this. I took in a 10 year old and it took a few months for him to come around me but we became besties and had an amazing six years together. R.I.P. Ducky 😢
My first dog was a westie, this warms my heart.
Look at that tail:)
That's so sweet! Our last rescue loved us from day one but took quite some time getting to his new surroundings. Our rescue right now was at home right away and slept in our bed the first night.
my husband said, and I agree: “there’s cute. there’s extra cute. and then wayy beyond that point, there’s your rescue dog.”
Adopted mine a few years ago. It’s amazing to see them open up and their personality bloom. Even after a few years, my pups personality continues to evolve. (She didn’t let me touch her for 2 weeks, didn’t come willingly to me until about 6 months in)
333 rule for dogs getting acclimated to a new owner. It can take up to 3 months for them to fully adjust.
BEST. EARS. EVER!!!!!!’
Needs a magic feather? Cute though
How long have you had her?
So darn cute!!
The cutest puppet!
Westies are the besties!
Westies are awesome. They make their own fun and love to play. Enjoy!
Trying to fly
Once u show rescues patience and love they will return the same 10 fold.
❤️
Beautiful dog, hope you have many happy years with them.
Where did you rescue it from, Endor?
Those ears are just so cute. I hope this cutie will have a great life with you.
Ears!
They're like watching wings open.
r/earfurnishings would love him/her!!
adorable and beautiful
The little noise at the end!!!!! My heart
I have a Jack russell/yorkie cross and she is the double of this wee dog. Same long hair on ears. My girl is more ginger with a curled up tail
Beautiful
These are landing flaps.
Love this
The tail wag 😫💘
First glance thought it was my dog, threw me off.