Breed Tips

Most Popular Curly Tail Dog Breeds

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
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
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
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
A tan and white dog with erect ears stands alert in tall grass.

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
Alaskan Malamute

These large and powerful dogs come with a curly wagging tail. They are known for their endurance and strength. 

Shiba Inu
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
Pomeranians

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.

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

  • Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.

  • Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget. 

  • Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.

Sources

  1. 20 dogs with curly tails - Breed types. (2023, November 30). Two Tails Pet Company. https://twotailspetcompany.com/blogs/dogs/dogs-with-curly-tails

  2. Puisis, E. (2024, May 6). 12 dog breeds that only have white coats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/white-dog-breeds-4846529

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