All dogs have a tail, although they all look different based on the breed you intend on buying or adopting. Some dog breeds have curly tails, which means that they have a curl in their tail. Generally, the curl of a dog’s tail is directed towards their head. For some dogs it can even occur that their tail curls multiple times.
If you are interested in buying or adopting a curly tailed dog breed, we have made a list that highlights over twelve dogs that generally have curly tails. Of course, if you want to know more which dog breeds have curly tails, this article will also be of help. So, do you want to know more about the over twelve curly tailed dog breeds we talk about in this article? Please read the full article below!
Our 14 favorite dog breeds that have a curly tail
In this article, we highlight over twelve dog breeds that have a curly tail. You will read about the main characteristics of this dog. This way, you can decide whether or not this curly tailed dog fits within your home. We also gathered as much information about curly tailed dogs, so you can find the full information about dog breeds with curly tails below, which we have listed on alphabetical order.
Akita
The Akita dog breed originates from Japan and has a curly tail which lays down on their back. This particular dog breed is most known from the movie ‘Hachi: A Dog’s Tale’, which shows their main character: being a loyal dog. Akitas have a thick coat of fur, which you need to take care of through regular grooming.
This prevents any discomfort due to knots or matting. Although these dogs are extremely loyal, they do need to an owner who can put in the work. They need regular training and have to be socialized well. As the Akita dog breed gets easily attached to their owner(s), they can also become ignorant or anxious towards strangers. The Akita dog breed is also known for being very smart and stubborn, which is why regular training is advised.
Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamute dog breed finds its origins in the Nordic regions of the world. They are mainly known as sled dogs or working dogs in the cold circumstances that arise in those areas. The Alaskan Malamute dog can therefore survive extreme cold weather. This is caused by the fact that they have thick fur and a double coat. Do mind that this dog therefore is not the greatest option if you live in a warm climate.
This can become a rather uncomfortable experience for Alaskan Malamutes with their full fur. Even though this curly tailed dog breed has become more and more of a dog you can find in many households, they still adore to do lots of activities and work. With this dog, it is thus important that you have the time to go on long walks or allow them to release energy through other activities. Due to their loving and active character, the Alaskan Malamute is a perfect addition to a family home with kids running around.
American Eskimo (Eskie)
The third dog breed that we will talk about is the American Eskimo Dog breed. Please note that this dog is also referred to as an ‘Eskie’. Although you perhaps think that this dog comes from American origin, this is not true. Rather, this dog is mostly related to German and Nordic dog breeds. In looks, the American Eskimo Dog breed looks a lot like the Samoyed dog breed, due to their fluffy white coat.
This dog breed, however, has a significant different character than the Samoyed dog breed, which we will also talk about later on. An American Eskimo Dog is not the greatest fan of meeting new people. They grow easily attached to their owners and can be anxious towards strangers. Taking the time to socialize this dog breed is therefore important. Let your dog meet lots of different people, objects and other animals.
Basenji
A Basenji dog breed is one of the smaller curly tailed dog breeds that is out there. These dogs were used for hunting in deserts, which is why they can handle heat very well. Interestingly, this dog breed does not bark what so ever. When thinking about buying or adopting this dog, be aware that they need various ways to get rid of their energy. The Basenji on the other hand is great with his or her owners, which he or she will grow fond of very quickly.
Chihuahua
Another small dog that has a curly tail is the Chihuahua dog breed. This dog breed is perfect for you if you like a balance between an independent and active dog. These dogs do like to play, but also enjoy their downtime from time to time. Please note that training this dog is mainly necessarily due to their anxious character. This makes them to develop separation anxiety rather quickly, which can be prevented by training your dog from a young(er) age.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow dog breed is a smaller sized dog that has a fluffy curled tail, leaning on their back. This dog breed is easily identifiable by their colored tong. Generally, these dogs have a black or blue tong. Although small in size and having a cute look, these dogs are great watchdogs. The Chow Chow dog breed is, namely, known for their protective character.
Finnish Spitz
A great family dog is the Finnish Spitz dog breed. This dog breed characterizes itself by being very smart, having high energy and loving the attention of its family. Therefore, the Finnish Spitz dog breed is a great addition to your family, especially if you have kids. 
German Spitz
A German Spitz dog breed is a great family dog, as they can be extremely playful but also love to listen to their owners. A German Spitz dog does have a double coat, which means that regular grooming will be needed. If not, this can result into uncomfortable knots or matting of their fur. You will notice that this dog loves to play outside or in the water, especially if other dogs or family members are involved.
Norwegian Buhund
The Norwegian Buhund dog breed was originally used for various tasks around its owner’s farm. In example, the Norwegian Buhund was used for herding sheep and being a watchdog of the farm. Although, these dogs are rather independent, they do like to get attention from their owners. Specifically, through playing, training or doing something like agility training. This dog breed also learns rather quickly and easily, which is why you are able to teach them a great asset of tricks.
Pomeranian
Pomeranian dogs are known for being small in size, but having an intense character. Back in the day, these dogs were significantly larger in size. However, nowadays they are basically small working dogs. This can also be seen in their high energy character. So, even though this dog is small in size, it will still need lots of attention and ways to get rid of their energy.
Pug
A very popular dog breed that has a curly tail is the Pug dog breed. This is because this dog is great to handle in size and has a very loving character. They sometimes can be a bit clumsy, however they are a great fit with many people and children. A pug also needs fairly little care with their short coat. However, the Pug dog breed is known for having health issues due to their short snout. Therefore, always make sure to buy a Pug from a good breeder or shelter, and take them for regular checkups at the vet.
Samoyed
A lookalike of the American Eskimo dog breed is the Samoyed. As with the American Eskimo dog breed, this dog has a fluffy white coat. In order to maintain this luxurious looking coat, regular visits to a groomer are recommended. These dogs were often used in Russia for hunting. However, this curly tailed dog breed is also extremely social and loves attention through cuddles and pets.
Shiba Inu
As with the Samoyed dog breed, the Shiba Inu dog breed is also known for hunting, however in Japan. Over the years, they have become more popular and are known very well-known family dogs. They have a very loving and sweet character. However, be aware that these dogs are extremely vocal. This means that they will howl or, in a way, talk to you whenever they do or do not enjoy something.
Siberian Husky
Perhaps mostly known for their blue (or multi-colored) eyes is this dog: the Siberian Husky. However, they also have a very fluffy, curled tail. If you are thinking about adding this dog breed to your family, please be aware of the fact that these dogs will need a great deal of activities. Therefore, these dogs are great for active or sporty families that like to go for runs, long walks or hikes. These activities also allow for the quick bonding between your family and kids with the dog. This is great, as the Siberian Husky dog breed loves attention and being in a friendly environment.
Do you need to care for dogs with curly tails differently than other dogs?
In short: no, you do not need to care for a curly tail any differently than other dogs. The fact that some dogs have a curly tail simply comes from their origin, breed or genetics. Therefore, their tail is not any different from the tail from non-curly tailed dog breeds. However, as you could have seen in the list of dog breeds with curly tails, most of these dogs do have thick and/or double coats. Therefore, you should always inform yourself about the care that you need to provide them with to maintain the health of their fur. This can mean that you have to take your curly tailed dog to a groomer, or brush their fur every day.
Summarized: fourteen curly tailed dog breeds and their care
As you were able to read in the article above, we have listed fourteen dog breeds that are known for having a curly tail. In order to give you a quick and nice overview, we have listed them below in summary. So, what dog breeds have we discussed that have a curly tail?
- Akita dog breed
- Alaskan Malamute dog breed
- American Eskimo Dog breed
- Basenji dog breed
- Chihuahua dog breed
- Chow Chow dog breed
- Finnish Spitz dog breed
- Keeshond or German Spitz dog breed
- Norwegian Buhund dog breed
- Pomeranian dog breeds
- Pug dog breed
- Samoyed dog breed
- Shiba Inu dog breed
- Siberian Husky dog breed
We can also imagine that you might ask yourself whether or not you need to care for your curly tailed dog any differently than for a dog with a straight tail. However, this is not the case. The fact that the dog breeds mentioned above have a curly tail is caused by their breed and genetics. In most cases, a curly tailed dog tends to have a thick or double coat, which does need some help. For example, you can prevent matting or any knots from occurring by regular grooming or brushing.
Now that you have read about curly tailed dog breeds and how to take care of them, we would love to hear about your experiences with a dog that has a curly tail! Maybe you are or were the proud owner of one of these dog breeds? Or, are you a dog expert and do you miss a curly tailed dog breed in our list? Please let us know through reaching out in the comments below. We always enjoy reading and responding to your thoughts.
