A team of curious scientists are working to finally figure out why so many dogs love chasing their tails.
To answer this question once and for all, scientists from the "Bristol Spinning Dog Project" are planning to collect urine samples and cheek swabs, and complete three training tasks aimed at assessing the pet's personality and ability to learn as part of the study, The Independent reported.
The study will include dogs who love chasing their tails, as well as a control group of non-tail chasers.
"We think this behaviour develops because of personality and genetics, as well as the environment during a dog's first 16 weeks and learning throughout life. But we don't really know what it means for dogs' welfare," Beth Loftus, one of the lead researchers in the study, told The Independent.
"We hope to be able to identify dogs that are starting to spin and stop it from developing to the point where they are doing it almost to the complete exclusion of other, more normal types of behavior."
The research is being funded by the Dogs Trust charity.
In the meantime, before the study results come in, watch this video of a dog chasing (and catching!) his tail:
