Dog breeds with curly tails
A tail that curls up and over the back is a mark of the spitz family and a few toy breeds. These are the breeds in our data whose natural tail curls, sickles or is carried over the back.
36 of 162 breeds in our database
Akita
Giant, 70–130 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Dignified, Courageous, Profoundly loyal
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
Alaskan Klee Kai
Small, 6–25 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Intelligent, Vigilant
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Alaskan Malamute
Large, 65–95 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Playful, Affectionate
- Lifespan
- 10–14 years
American Eskimo Dog
Medium, 6–35 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Smart, Versatile
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Giant, 80–150 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Reserved, Independent, Loyal
- Lifespan
- 11–13 years
Basenji
Medium, 20–26 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back, white tip common
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Poised, Independent, Smart
- Lifespan
- 13–14 years
Bichon Frise
Small, 12–18 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, curly
- Nature
- Curious, Playful, Peppy
- Lifespan
- 14–15 years
Biewer Terrier
Toy, 4–8 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, silky
- Nature
- Intelligent, Devoted, Amusing
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Giant, 99–170 lb
Curled tail: sickle
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Fearless, Bold, Kind
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Chihuahua
Toy, 3–6 lb
Curled tail: sickle
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Charming, Graceful, Sassy
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Chinese Shar-Pei
Large, 45–60 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Independent, Loyal, Calm
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
Chow Chow
Large, 45–70 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, rough
- Nature
- Dignified, Bright, Serious-minded
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
Coton de Tulear
Toy, 8–15 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, wavy
- Nature
- Charming, Bright, Happy-go-lucky
- Lifespan
- 15–19 years
Finnish Lapphund
Medium, 33–53 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Alert, Friendly, Agile
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Havanese
Toy, 7–13 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, silky
- Nature
- Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Japanese Chin
Toy, 7–11 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, silky
- Nature
- Charming, Loving, Noble
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Kangal Shepherd Dog
Giant, 90–145 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, double
- Nature
- Calm, Protective, Independent
- Lifespan
- 11–13 years
Keeshond
Medium, 35–45 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Friendly, Lively, Outgoing
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Lhasa Apso
Small, 12–18 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, silky
- Nature
- Confident, Smart, Comical
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Maltese
Toy, 4–7 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, silky
- Nature
- Playful, Charming, Gentle
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Maltipoo
Small, 5–20 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, wavy
- Nature
- Affectionate, Playful, Gentle
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Norwegian Elkhound
Large, 43–60 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Friendly, Confident, Dependable
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Papillon
Toy, 5–10 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, silky
- Nature
- Alert, Friendly, Happy
- Lifespan
- 14–16 years
Pekingese
Toy, 8–14 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Affectionate, Regal in manner
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Pomeranian
Toy, 3–7 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Inquisitive, Lively, Bold
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Pomsky
Medium, 20–30 lb
Curled tail: sickle
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Playful, Curious, Vocal
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Pug
Small, 14–18 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Charming, Loving, Mischievous
- Lifespan
- 13–15 years
Puggle
Medium, 15–30 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Nature
- Playful, Friendly, Curious
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
Samoyed
Medium, 35–65 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Friendly, Gentle, Adaptable
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Shiba Inu
Small, 15–25 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Short, double
- Nature
- Alert, Active, Attentive
- Lifespan
- 13–16 years
Shih Tzu
Small, 9–16 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Playful, Affectionate, Outgoing
- Lifespan
- 10–18 years
Shih-poo
Small, 8–18 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, wavy
- Nature
- Affectionate, Playful, Outgoing
- Lifespan
- 12–16 years
Siberian Husky
Medium, 35–60 lb
Curled tail: sickle
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Outgoing, Mischievous
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
Tibetan Mastiff
Giant, 70–150 lb
Curled tail: curled over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Reserved, Independent, Intelligent
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
Tibetan Spaniel
Toy, 9–15 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Medium, double
- Nature
- Playful, Bright, Self-confident
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
Tibetan Terrier
Medium, 18–30 lb
Curled tail: plumed, carried over the back
- Coat
- Long, double
- Nature
- Loyal, Sensitive, Affectionate
- Lifespan
- 15–16 years
Good to know
The AKC glossary describes a sickle tail as one "carried in a semicircle." By AKC group, the 36 breeds above split as Non-Sporting (10), Toy (10), Working (6), Not AKC (5).
Breeds on this page differ in how tight the curl is. In our data 15 have a tail that curls over the back, 17 carry a plumed tail over the back, and 4 have a sickle tail.
A tail with a kink or spiral is a different thing from a curl. See dog breeds with short tails for screw tails and natural bobs.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Glossary of breed standard terms
- American Kennel Club: Dog breeds directory and breed trait ratings
Breed traits come from AKC breed standards and trait ratings. Individual dogs, and especially mixes, can differ from their breed.