Tails are rather curious appendages — at least from the point of view of those of us without them. Some tails are long and whip-like, others are little more than a nub and still others curl up and over the back. Generally, dogs (and cats, too) use their tails for communication, and some water-loving dogs use their tails as rudders when they swim.
Regardless of the reason for the tail being there, the fact of the matter is that we think tails are awfully cute. And curly tails? Now those are just flat out (see what we did there?) adorable.
Curious about which dog breeds have curly tails? We've rounded up 20 with this endearing attribute. Check them out in the slideshow below and let us know if any of the included breeds surprised you!
Curly-Tailed Dog Breeds
Ron Wilbie, Animal Photography
Basenji
This "barkless" (but by no means silent) breed has a few characteristics that make him stand out — and among them is the Basenji's corkscrew tail.
Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography
Pug
Where the Basenji is long and lean, the Pug is short and round, but this little dog's tail is curly as can be.
Tara Gregg, Animal Photography
German Spitz, Pomeranian, Norwegian Lundehund, Shiba Inu
There 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 German Spitz, Pomeranian, Norwegian Lundehund and Shiba Inu (pictured here) are some of the smaller members of the Spitz family.
Tara Gregg, Animal Photography
American Eskimo, Finnish Spitz, Swedish Vallhund, Keeshond, Norwegian Buhund
Slightly larger (but still curly-tailed) Spitz breeds include the American Eskimo, Finnish Spitz, Swedish Vallhund (pictured above), Keeshond and Norwegian Buhund.
Thinkstock
Chow Chow, Eurasier, Finnish Lapphund, Norwegian Elkhound, Samoyed, Swedish Lapphund
The Chow Chow, Eurasier, Finnish Lapphund, Norwegian Elkhound, Samoyed (or "smiling Sammie," pictured here) and Swedish Lapphund are all medium to large dog breeds with curly tails that can claim the Spitz family as their own.
Tetsu Yamazaki, Animal Photography
Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Tibetan Mastiff
Bringing up the back of the Spitz pack are the largest members of this curly-tailed family. The Akita, Alaskan Malamute and Tibetan Mastiff (pictured here, and you might be interested to learn about the non-Mastiff breeds he's related to!) are all large and in charge, with tails that curl up and over their backs.
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