Looks like you’re looking for dogs that constantly keep questioning the world around them. Didn’t get it? Observe the shapes of some dog tails and you’ll see that they seem to have a built-in question mark. And then the way they swirl and twirl them, it looks more like they’re auditioning for "Dancing with the Stars: Canine Edition."
Whatever the reason, we have to give it to them that from ancient royalty to modern-day movie stars, these breeds have been turning heads and curling tails for centuries.
Let’s have a look at some of the most popular ones out there – (1)
Pug
These adorable small pups don’t just come with a charming personality and cuddliness but cute and curly tails as well. These dogs are great with kids and don’t mind being around other dogs as well.
Chow Chow
Along with the majestic lion-like mane and a distinctive blue-black tongue, these giant dogs come with a curly tail as well. They are one of the oldest dog breeds out there.
Samoyed
These are some of the rarest dog breeds out there. They come with a thick white coat that was developed to withstand temperatures up to -60 degrees. They are friendly and highly active dogs that come with curly tails.
Basenji
The ‘not-so-quiet’ non-barking dog breed, Basenji, was bred for hunting. They are fast and alert and come with nice and curly tails.
Alaskan Malamute
These large and powerful dogs come with a curly wagging tail. They are known for their endurance and strength.
Shiba Inu
A highly popular dog breed in Japan, Shiba Inu has a curly tail added to its beauty. They are known for their strength in both – muscles and relationships.
Pomeranian
These tiny balls of fur, categorized as toy dogs, come wagging with their curly tails. They are lively, wilful and very affectionate.
While these are the most popular ones out there, other breeds with curly tails include –
Akita
Norwegian Elkhound
Finnish Spitz
America Eskimo Dog
Chihuahua
German Spitz, etc.
What Does a Curly Dog’s Tail Mean?
Dogs developed curly tails for various reasons depending on their breeds and lifestyles.
Norwegian Elkhound and Siberian Husky, for example, carried a furry, sickle-shaped tail to conserve body heat. The curled tails helped them against biting winds and frost and insulated their rears from temperature extremes.
For aquatic dogs like Curly Coated Retriever, curly tails supplied power while swimming just like a propeller.
Herding dogs like Australian Cattle Dogs and Welsh Corgis used their coiled-up tails as visible signals to communicate the next moves to livestock from a distance.
Scent hounds like Beagles lower their tails to sweep smells off the ground. Bloodhounds, on the other hand, helicopter theirs aloft to capture the most airborne molecules they can detect.
The vertebrae that make up a dog's tail are rounded. Dogs with curly tails, however, have tail vertebrae that resemble wedges (called hemivertebrae).1 When these wedge-shaped vertebrae stack on top of one another, a curl is formed. And these curls in all forms - tightly coiled corkscrews to loosely curled shapes with more flexibility and sizes – small to large.
What is a White Fluffy Dog with a Curly Tail?
It’s the Samoyed you’re looking for. This beautiful spitz breed is covered in white from head to toe. They come with a curly tail. With these mesmerizing looks, comes great strength that can pull sleds in the coldest of environments. (2)
Are There Big Dogs with Curly Tails?
Yes absolutely. You must have seen that most of the dog breeds with curly tails are small in size. But don’t be disappointed yet if you’re looking specifically for large dogs with curly tails. The canine world has them to offer it to you. They include
Siberian Husky
There was one dog that we purposely skipped from the first list of dogs with curled tails. This is because they deserve a special mention down here. They come with curly tails, an elegant coat and sometimes blue eyes – a deadly combination.
Thai Ridgeback
This is another large dog breed with curly tails. They come with a muscular build and a distinctive ridge of hair running along their back.
Other large breeds with curly tails include –
Chow Chow
Finnish Lapphund
Norwegian Elkhound
Keeshond
Samoyed
Akita
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Your search for all types of dogs with a beautiful curvy tail ends here. So does your search for a solution for financial assistance with all the vet and other related costs for your canine buddy. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of these costs. And at Spot Pet, much more, along with that.
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
20 dogs with curly tails - Breed types. (2023, November 30). Two Tails Pet Company. https://twotailspetcompany.com/blogs/dogs/dogs-with-curly-tails
Puisis, E. (2024, May 6). 12 dog breeds that only have white coats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/white-dog-breeds-4846529
