What You Waggin' With? Tail Types of Dogs.

What Kind of Tail Does My Dog Have?

Ever noticed which tail style your dog has? Let’s take a look at some of the most common tail types. And maybe you can identify which one your pup is rocking.

1. Bobbed Tail

Keep in mind that this is different from a docked tail. A docked tail is when someone intentionally has their dog’s tail cropped. A bobbed tail is when a dog naturally has no tail or just a small nub. This is common on Corgis, Jack Russell Terriers, and Brittany Spaniels.

2. Curly, Corkscrew, or Ring Tail

The name says it all! These cute tails vary in their curly tightness. And if a dog’s resting tail curls up like a ring, then this is their category. This is common in Pugs, Bulldogs, and Basenjis.

3. Sickle Tail

Sickle tails curve more than they do curl. They curve back toward the dog’s body over their back, and look like the shape of a sickle. This is common for Malamutes, Huskies, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas.

4. Otter or Swimmer Tail

Dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Otterhounds, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have tails that are rounded and thick, with a slight C-shape. The fur is thick, but shorter, and tapers off at the tip. This helps them to swim in the water and use their tail like a rudder.

5. Whip or Carrot Tail

These tails are usually shorter than some others. And they are thick and round at the base, then they taper off to a tip at the end. These are common in Border Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Dalmatians, Dachshunds, and English Setters.

6. Tufted Tail

This tail grows a tuft of fur at the end because the hair at the tip of the tail grows faster than the rest. This is most common in Poodles.

7. Gay Tail

Gay tails usually have a white tuft at the tip of the tail. They are smaller with a slight curve, but are often held horizontally and are the same thickness throughout the tail. This is common in Beagles, Wire Fox Terriers, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

8. Saber Tail

Saber tails are found on herding dogs like German Shepherds, Collies, Belgian Malinois, and Belgian Tervurens. The tail is long with a slow curve and is usually held low to the ground.