No, standard Australian Shepherds don't typically have curly tails; their tails are naturally straight (or naturally bobbed/short), but some Aussies can have a slight curl when excited, or a more prominent one due to mixes with breeds like Pomeranians or Shih Tzus, though a true Aussie's tail is straight or naturally short/bobbed as per breed standards.
Australian Shepherds often have curly tails. Some dogs will inherit that, others won't. I believe even Australian Cattledogs can naturally have curly tails anyways, but in a different way. If the tail is arching up high behind the dog, that's an Australian Shepherd thing.
In the U.S., it's common to see Aussies without tails because docking is part of the breed standard. But fun fact—about 80% of Aussies are actually born with a full tail! The other 20% are naturally bobtailed. In many countries, like France, Switzerland, and Australia, docking is actually illegal!
The Anatolian Shepherd tail is long, curly, and carried high when on guard.
A dog's tail changing from straight to curled can result from injury, muscle strain, or neurological issues. After being missing for 60 days and pregnant, physical trauma or stress could cause swelling or muscle tightening, altering tail position. Observe for pain, swelling, or mobility issues.
Dog Breeds with Curly Tails
Some tails are short and twisted in a spiral fashion such as the French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog and Basenji. Sickle Tail – This tail curves up over the back toward the head of the dog in a semi-circle.
Aussies were originally bred to work with livestock. Their tails were more susceptible to being trampled or grabbed by the animals they worked with. They also had issues with their tails being broken or tangled by limbs and brush as they worked in fields.
The "heartbreak breed" refers primarily to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their affectionate nature combined with a relatively short lifespan (around 7-10 years) and susceptibility to serious heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), making losing them particularly difficult for their devoted owners. Other giant breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Saint Bernards also face significant health challenges, including cancer and heart disease, often earning them similar sentiments from owners.
Breed characteristics
The English Shepherd is a well-proportioned breed, with a strong and muscular neck. The head is proportional to the rest of the body and slightly rounded between the ears. Its eyes are expressive, rounded and brown or amber in color, while its tail is carried over the back and slightly curved.
Some have wavier fur than others, but most have extra thick back feather fur, resembling puffy pirate pantaloons. Aussies are seen in four different color variations: black, red, blue merle, and red merle. All of these colors can have tan and white markings, which means you might see a tri-colored Aussie.
Tail is straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four inches in length.
- Aussie tails have fewer muscles around their tails compared to other herding breeds, meaning they have less control over their tail, again, leading to risk of injury in everyday life. Australian Shepherds have a naturally higher risk of tail -related injuries because of these reasons.
One of the unique characteristics of the Australian Shep- herd is that they are not solely a docked tail breed, but also a natural bob-tail breed. Aussies can be born with all varying lengths of tail...from natural bob to full tail...
Do NOT shave this breed, as it messes up the delicate balance of the coat, which insulates them from heat and from cold by holding a layer of temperate air close to the body. The coat may never grow back the same if this breed is shaved.
For those interested in bringing an Australian Shepherd into your home, you may wonder if this breed is one of those that enjoys a nice cuddle. The truth is, most Aussies do enjoy a cuddle with their owner or close family member, but you will find some dogs of this breed that aren't that big of fans.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
Across a range of countries, routine tail docking of dogs is considered unacceptable by most veterinarians (83% to 92%) and the general public (68% to 88%).
In the U.S., it's common to see Aussies without tails because docking is part of the breed standard. But fun fact—about 80% of Aussies are actually born with a full tail! The other 20% are naturally bobtailed. In many countries, like France, Switzerland, and Australia, docking is actually illegal!
Tail docking procedures can cause temporary discomfort to Australian Shepherd puppies even though their nervous systems are not quite fully developed yet. While the wound in the tail is healing, minor inflammations and damage to the tissues can cause them pain.
Dogs with curly tails have hemivertebrae—it's what makes their tails curly in the first place.In addition to potentially developing extreme cases of hemivertebrae, curly tailed dogs may also have problems with their lower back nerves. Dogs can even lose feeling in their backs and bladder control.
Loose shoulders, soft eyes without a fixed gaze, and a dose of 'wiggliness' or pure 'flopped-outness' are all clues that your dog's feeling super chill. They're playful. A happy dog is more likely to want to play and leap around. Play “bows” are a great sign your dog is in the mood.
Introduction