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Why Do Pugs Have Curly Tails? The Interesting Answer

Codee Chessher

By Codee Chessher

pug with curly tail

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Dr. Luqman Javed

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Pugs are a small dog breed beloved for their photogenic, goofy expressions, but they are also marked by a curly tail that tightly coils up and over their back. This curly tail is a breed standard for the Pug, and some even have two curls! Double-curled tails are less common, but the most desirable for show dogs, in particular.

The Pug’s trademark curly tail is due to the spine’s shape. The spine and tail are made of small, interlocking vertebrae. In Pugs and some other breeds, there’s a wedge-shaped vertebra that creates a graceful little curl. Double-curled tails have a second wedge vertebra at the end too, making a cute little kink.

Let’s learn some more info about this fascinating trait, as well as some other relevant info about Pugs.

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About the Pug’s History & Curly Tail

The Pug originated in imperial China over a millennium ago as a lapdog for emperors and other royalty,3 though their exact lineage remains murky. These regal companions lived in luxury that today’s Pugs can only dream of, and some even had their guards. When Dutch merchants visited Asia around the 16th century, they became enamored with the dog and brought some back to Europe.

The Pug became a symbol of nobility in no time. Just Google “pug art” and you can find tons of them in paintings, both alone and accompanied by snazzily dressed people with that signature medieval frown. Whether in TikTok memes or medieval art, Pugs are a historical staple.

French King Louis XV and his notorious mistress Madame de Pompadour were supposedly fond of Pugs too, proving their charms transcend time. The curly tail was considered a sign of good breeding, and double-curled tails were especially favored, just like today. Double curled tails with more than one wedged vertebra were rare then too, but popular enough for the trait to survive.

pug standing outside
Image Credit: Katrinbechtel, Pixabay

Pug Formal Recognition

The Pug was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, and the curly tail was deemed a breed standard. A single curl is considered acceptable for Pugs, and they might be allowed in dog shows. Pugs with double-curled tails are the ones you see in dog shows most often, but only 25% of registered pugs have that valuable double curl.

Do All Pugs Have a Curly Tail?

NOTE

Though the Pug is a popular breed, they unfortunately suffer from a plethora of health issues as a result of generations of selective breeding and therefore unfortunately have a lower quality of life when compared to other dog breeds. Veterinarians around the world are urging pet owners to not adopt the breed as their genetic shortcomings cannot be overcome by proper care and management alone. If you wish to adopt a Pug, please be mindful that they will most likely need extensive medical assistance throughout their life, which may include necessary reconstructive surgery.

No. Most Pugs will be born with a straight or curved tail, and they’ll be fully curled by 3 or 4 months. However, sometimes it takes up to 6 months or so. Some Pugs don’t develop a curl, which is seen as a defect according to the breed’s standards.

Pugs with straight tails usually come from parents with straight or slightly curved tails, but that’s not always the case. Tail curling is considered an intentional genetic mutation kept to maintain breed standards and isn’t normal for any dog. When Pugs with straight or single-curl genes mate, those genes can mix and pop out single-curled or straight-tailed Pugs, because having a straight tell is the genetic norm for dogs.

white pug playing with toy outside on grass
Image Credit: Murilo Mazzo, Shutterstock

What if My Pug’s Tail Doesn’t Curl?

If your Pug’s tail fails to curl after a few months, don’t panic. A Pug’s curled tail is a desired trait for aesthetic/show purposes only. The lack of a curled tail doesn’t have any impact on their welfare, because the curl is the result of selective breeding for a genetic mutation. Therefore, a Pug with a straight or half-curved tail won’t suffer from any health issues with regards to their tail. However, a Pug with a straight tell may not qualify for show purposes as the breed standard requires a curled tail.

When Pugs sleep, you may also see their tail relax and appear to lose its curl. That’s normal and generally nothing to worry about. It’s really just a cute little quirk people consider a sign of good breeding.

 

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Conclusion

Pugs are one of the most iconic dogs, literally bred for royalty. While most Pugs have a single curled tail and a few have no curl at all, a double curl is most desirable from a breeding perspective.


Featured Image Credit: Praisaeng, Shutterstock

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