PugWhere the Basenji is long and lean, the
The 11 Breeds of Dog with Curly Tails
| Height | 16-17 inches |
| Weight | 22-24 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-14 years |
While the majority of the Basenji’s body is strong and sleek, its tail is decidedly pig-like! This African dog is also known for being nearly silent, often called the “barkless dog.” While they are often described as cat-like, this breed requires plenty of exercise to thrive. Either way, the corkscrew tail of this breed certainly stands out from the crowd.
| Height | 10-13 inches |
| Weight | 14-18 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
Next up is one of the world’s goofiest yet most adorable breeds: The Pug. The short, corkscrew pug tail is distinctive of this breed, along with its bright and loving personality. It does best as a housepet, generally having little interest in roughing bad weather or intense exercise. While the Pug might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s a reason why so many owners adore this breed.
| Height | 6-7 inches |
| Weight | 3-7 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
It may not be immediately obvious, but under all of that fluff, the Pomeranian definitely has a curly tail. Paired with their fox-like face, this dog is quite the charmer. Despite their diminutive size, however, this breed packs a lot of personality into a tiny package. Still, they are one of the most popular toy dog breeds in the world.
| Height | 13.5-16.5 inches |
| Weight | 17-23 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-16 years |
As one of Japan’s most famous breeds, the Shiba Inu is immediately recognizable to many dog lovers around the world. Aside from their curly tail, their build is surprisingly muscular. This breed is currently the most popular dog in Japan and is quickly gaining popularity around the globe.
| Height | 17-20 inches |
| Weight | 45-70 pounds |
| Lifespan | 8-12 years |
While its wrinkles are the Chow Chow’s most defining feature, the short, curly tail isn’t far behind. This Chinese breed is strong and incredibly wary of strangers, earning it a bad reputation in some circles. However, proper training and socialization from an early age can result in an excellent companion.
| Height | 15.5-20 inches |
| Weight | 20-33 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
At first glance, this breed might look like a more slender version of the Shiba Inu. While the Finnish Spitz is quite different from its Japanese doppelganger, their similarities are a result of both being Spitz-type dogs. In fact, the vast majority of curly-tailed dogs were bred from Spitzes!
| Height | 12-15 inches |
| Weight | 24-26 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
Just as the Finnish Spitz resembles the Shiba Inu, the German Spitz looks like a larger cousin to the Pomeranian. Actually, some organizations group these two breeds together into one standard. While the German Spitz isn’t as popular anymore, this dog was used to develop many of our most common Spitz-type breeds today.
| Height | 24-28 inches |
| Weight | 70-130 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
The Akita is another Japanese pup boasting a curly tail above its dense, muscular body. This dog has an intimidating air about it, especially with strangers. Its status as a protective and loyal companion is near-legendary in its home country. When you get it alone with its loved ones, however, a loving, affectionate, and even playful side quickly emerges.
| Height | 19-23.5 inches |
| Weight | 35-65 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
Often called the “smiley dog,” the Samoyed is a strikingly white breed with a thick coat and curled tail (with so much fluff, though, that tail can easily get lost among all of its other fur!). Don’t let this dog’s beauty fool you, because they are extremely athletic and suited to all types of extreme weather. While the breed obviously does best in the cold, the double-coat also insulates its body during warmer weather.
German Spitz, Pomeranian, Norwegian Lundehund, Shiba InuThere are many dog breeds that claim membership to the Spitz family, and they can typically be identified by their thick coats, prick ears and — you guessed it — jaunty tails that curl up over their backs. The
TOP 10 CURLY TAIL DOG BREEDS
When we think of a dog’s tail, most of us likely picture the long, wagging tail of a Labrador Retriever before anything else. But there are many dog breeds that have quite unusual traits, including those with curly tails.
Dog breeds with curly tails come in all shapes and sizes, but many of them share common ancestors. Today, these breeds may not look very alike — that is, except for their unique tails!
Whether you’re thinking of adding a curly-tailed pup to your family or are just feeling curious, we’ve put together 11 breeds that flaunt this quirky physical trait.