In this research you will know the answer to the query “7 Dogs With Curly Tails and Floppy Ears“.
When you were out with friends last night did you get into a discussion about odd-looking dogs?
Indeed there are quite a few options to choose from and photos like that tend to go viral!
In the course of the conversation did you start to discuss odd combinations of dogs to look for?
In my post today I discuss seven dog breeds with curly tails and floppy ears.
Quite contrasting when you think about it.
To begin with I would like to describe each dog breeds ears and tail separately.
Their tails are the first thing to notice.
Why do dogs have curly tails?
According to my research there is no evolutionary reason why dogs should have curly tails.
There are many purposes for a dogs tail including helping the dog balance and communicating how he or she feels but I could not find anything that clarifies how a curled tail might help a dog.
Originally breeders wanted dogs with curly tails because they looked good. Thats why dogs have curly tails.
Why do dogs have floppy ears?
The floppy ears may make a particular breed look more attractive but they do not serve any purpose.
Contrary to popular belief the opposite is true.
The reason dogs have floppy ears is that the muscle that the ear uses to hear threats (and which would also cause it to stand upright) does not exist anymore.
The syndrome is referred to as domestication syndrome.
Donot start arguing against Darwins theory just yet its one of his!
This theory makes perfect sense when you think about it since it is obvious that floppy ears hinder hearing.
My science lesson will end there so I will proceed to describe a list of dog breeds with curly tails and floppy ears.
1. Shih Tzu
Tibet may have been the first place where Shih Tzus were bred in the seventeenth century.
These dogs were so cherished by members of the Chinese Royal family that they refused to sell or give them away!
They have a certain self-confidence and presence about them and sneer at any level of care that is less than regal.
There are some Shih Tzus with a very distinctive long coat and they all have long flowing ears that extend almost to the tops of their shoulders- but it is hard to tell where the ears end and the coat begins!
All of their tails are curly and have plenty of hair on them. They flop their tails over their backs.
The average adult stands approximately 10.5 inches (26 cm) tall and weighs anywhere from 16 pounds (8 kg).
In terms of personality they are very affectionate and great with children. As well as being a very watchful breed they are always on high alert which makes them good watchdogs.
Due to their small size and short legs they require minimal exercise- a short walk and indoor play is all they need.
2. Havanese
Shih Tzu and Havanese are like twins.
You might mistake one for the other if you glance quickly between the two breeds.
In addition to their long-haired coats they are both distinguished by their floppy ears and wavy tails.
There are however some subtle differences.
There is a slight height difference between a Havanese and a Shih Tzu (11.5 vs. 10.5 inches) but the Havanese is a few pounds lighter (13 vs. 16 lbs.).
In addition the hair of a Havenese is thicker and less silky than that of a Shih Tzu.
There are also a few other differences between the two breeds including the fact that Havanese are more active and eager to please than Tzus.
It is much less difficult for them to be stubborn and independent.
3. Maltese
Maltese dogs could have originated on the island of Malta but there is no evidence to support this.
It has stronger ties with Central Europe.
The coat of these dogs is long and flowing much like the Shih Tzus.
Long strands of hair conceal their ears which are delightfully floppy.
As well as curling back over their bodies their tails also do so.
Shih Tzus by comparison stands no taller than 9 inches (22 cms) and weigh only seven pounds (3 kgs).
Tzus have a much wider range of coat colors than Maltese because Maltese are born with a brilliant white coat while Tzus have a brilliant white coat only.
4. Bichon Frise
White is another pure breed of toy dog!
A Bichon Frise however is a mass of curls instead of straight hair.
Under the floppy ears which hang down to the same height as their mouths are curls that create a halo effect around its head.
As an explosion of frizzy hair its tail curls back over its body.
This breed of dog expects everyone they meet to adore them and happily return the favour.
The Bichon is an active dog and needs both indoor and outdoor play.
Its time to move on from small dogs with curly tails and floppy ears. I want something completely different.
5. Afghan Hound
I would like to clarify exactly what I mean by completely different.
As far as the coat goes Afghan Hounds are somewhat similar to Shih Tzus with their long flowing coats that reach the ground.
Afghan Hounds have long floppy ears.
However the tail is different. It hangs down then curls at the end of the tail like that of an Afghan.
Featuring a height of 69 cm or 27 inches the Afghanis are nearly three times as tall and weighs nearly four times as much at 60 lbs or 27 kg.
Tzus were bred to sit on laps unlike Afghans who were bred to hunt in the mountains.
Due to this an Afghan Hound needs a great deal more exercise.
6. Black Russian Terrier
There are many types of dogs ranging from the huge elegance of the Afghan Hound to the massive power of the Black Russian Terrier (BRT).
This dog was developed specifically to be used in the Russian military for security purposes. It has (short) floppy ears and a curly tail.
They have a long and bushy tail that curls up at the end and resembles a banana.
This breed reminds me of a very large and black Airedale- it has a very angular look like some of the long-legged terriers.
76 cm or 30 inches tall the Black Russian Terrier weighs 68 kg or 150 pounds.
There is no doubt that this breed isnot for the faint-hearted or the inexperienced.
Dogs of this size and power need an expert hand that can preferably put them to use.
7. Sloughi
My instincts tell me to return to a breed that is less bulky after the presence of a BRT.
The Sloughi is also called the Arabian Greyhound and they were bred in North Africa for hunting game not security.
The act of chasing an animal such as a wild pig or an antelope.
They are almost identical to Greyhounds in their vital statistics- measuring 74cm or 29 inches high and weighing up to 32 kg or 70 pounds.
Compared to other breeds in my list the ears of this one are floppy but not as large as some.
As I described in another research their thin tail is less curled and more swirled.
If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.
