We all know that when cats are about to attack, their fur usually stands on end, indicating they are ready to enter a fighting state. So what does it mean when a dog's hair stands up? Does it also mean they are angry and ready to fight like cats? In fact, there are some differences between dogs and cats; a dog's raised hair does not necessarily indicate it will attack.

       Raised hair on the back and shoulders: This can be a signal of a potential attack. Even if the body isn’t displaying a proud posture, raised back hair means: "Don’t push me!" or "I am already angry!" In some cases, it can also signify fear or uncertainty. It is important to carefully observe the pattern of the raised hair. Many dog breeds have fur that darkens toward the tips. Therefore, when the neck and back hair stands up, the dark tips become more prominent, making the dog appear larger and more imposing. Some wolf packs and canine species have a distinct color stripe or patch on their backs, and occasionally the shoulder color is darker. It is understandable that these color variations are meant to make the signal more noticeable.

       There are two ways in which the back hair stands up:

       First, only the neck and shoulder hair stands up. This is a display of a dominant dog that is disturbed but still confident.

       The second is when the entire back hair stands up (sometimes even the tail hair stands straight), which means: Look, I am fully armed! This is a signal of an imminent attack.

       Therefore, a dog's raised hair does not entirely mean they are ready to attack; sometimes, it is a display of confidence showing they feel assured at that moment. So, we should not assume a dog is dangerous just because its hair is standing up. Instead, we need to observe their facial expressions at that time.