Few traits rival the charm of a dog with a curly tail. This trait arises from the unique structure of a dog’s tail vertebrae. Normally, the vertebrae that make up a dog’s tail are somewhat rounded, but dogs with curly tails have tail vertebrae that resemble wedges (called hemivertebrae). When these wedge-shaped vertebrae stack on top of one another, a curl is formed.
Curly tails come in various forms, ranging from tightly coiled corkscrews to loosely curled shapes with more flexibility. You can find curly tails on dogs of all sizes, from small to large.
Despite sharing a common trait, each curly-tailed breed brings its own unique qualities and personalities to the table, so we can’t generalize their characteristics. Instead, let’s dive deeper into the individual breeds. (And don’t worry—curly tails can still wag—as best as they can, at least!)
Here are 14 dogs with curly tails that are sure to wind their way into your heart.