A wagging tail means excitement or emotion. Happiness is obviously one of those but the tail’s position (high or low) and the speed of the wag are also a part of the communication.

A wagging tail could signal status between dogs when one dog greets another dog. The tail held low with just the tip wagging can be a part of the dog’s means of expressing submission. The wagging tail held high and moving slowly can signal potential aggression. And a wagging tail can just show the dog’s wish to communicate.

But most definitely a wagging tail must be observed with the rest of the dog’s body language to understand what the dog is trying to convey.

Having only had sheepies and frenchies, i too have never hada dog with a tail until we got our Spinone Puppy. Yes she’s docked, but it’s a long dock. it’s nice sometimes to see a tail wagging when she’s happy as opposed to some cute wigglebutt dancing.
Though with frenchies there’s not so much wigglebutt as there is ear set (or as we say in my house - “turnip head”)

In what cases does a tail wagging not convey happiness?

ES have some significant temperament differences from Aussies, as it turns out, and those suit me better anyway.

Anyone who thinks that wiggle butt is limited to caudal amputees has never met Moe. Or my friend Dave’s fabulous natural-tailed rottie girl.

There used to be — back in the 80’s — a club just for natural-tailed Aussies, the Basque Shepherd Club of America or something similar. Wonder what ever happened to them?