In this research you will know the answer to the query “11 Large Dogs With Curly Tails“.
Do you plan to get a large breed dog next? Along with owning a big dog do you want a dog that stands out even more from the crowd?
Would you like to own a large dog that also has a curly tail? This post highlights 11 large breeds that also have curly tails.
But what am I referring to when I say large?
My lists smallest dog is an Afghan Hound which stands 69 cm (33.5 inches) tall and weighs 27 kg (60 pounds).
Black Russian Terriers are the largest breed on my list measuring about 76cm (36.5 inches) and weighing 68 kg (150 lbs.).
What exactly am I referring to when I say curly?
The curliness of dogs’ tails varies greatly among my listed breeds.
Malamutes have long bushy tails that curl over their bodies whereas Sloughis have a thin tail and a slight curl.
I want to briefly talk about dog tails in general before I begin describing the dog breeds.
Why do dogs have tails?
Tails are used for a wide variety of purposes by dogs.
A dog uses them primarily to maintain balance while it walks runs or climbs.
Dogs also use them to communicate with their owners and each other.
There is more to it than just wagging their tail when they see a favorite person.
In addition to spreading its scent a dogs tail can also serve as a fan.
Just below the tail is two glands that store this scent that a dog uses to announce or mark its presence.
Why curly tails?
Unfortunately I have been unable to find out why dogs have curly tails.
This research suggests that dogs with sickle-shaped tails (such as the Alaskan Malamute and the Tibetan Mastiff) were bred to live in colder climates and that the tail helps keep their nose warm.
The number of tail shapes is almost equal to the number of dog breeds.
I have listed seven large dogs with curly tails that demonstrate this variety.
To the rail-thin tail of a Sloughi with its swirl appearance to the bushy bush and curl on an Alaskan Malamutes tail.
With my selection you would not be disappointed with a lack of variety if you want a large dog with a curly tail.
Having said all of this lets take a closer look at some of these breeds.
1. Afghan Hound
One of the biggest draws of an Afghan Hound is its long flowing coat.
However these hounds can reach 69 cm or 27 inches in height.
As a breed they are very svelte and lightweight since they weigh only around 60 pounds or 27 kilograms.
Whenever you can take your eyes off of their coats and elegant heads you will notice their curly tails.
A tail that finishes with a loose curve at the end has long hair or feathers near the base of the tail and thin hair along with the remainder.
As such an elegant dog you would think an Afghan Hound would love nothing more than to spend all day being groomed and pampered.
However these dogs need a lot of exercise due to their high energy levels.
Having been bred for mountain hunting they are suited for this environment.
The Afghan Hound comes in a variety of colors so if you’re particular about the color of the hair you’ll spend hours grooming this might be the breed for you.
2. Alaskan Malamute
Heres a dog thats defined by its tail.
As if a large feather duster was loosely coiled back over the dogs back this hair is an impressive specimen.
While it may not be deemed large by its height – a male might stand at only 63 cm or 25 inches tall but it weighs just over 38 kg or 85 pounds.
Those are pure muscles (and hair!)
There is something majestic about malamutes perhaps because in our minds we always imagine them pulling sleds with a pack.
Moreover they are a dog breed where a sense of “pack” is very strong.
They are in desperate need of a strong kind and loving pack leader and if you don’t play that role your dog may try and wrestle that position from you.
Malamutes require lots of exercises and since they were bred for endurance rather than speed the more extreme the exercise the better.
Running and hiking are great activities to try with them.
Try an Alaskan Malamute if you want a large dog with a curly tail and enjoy great adventures.
3. Black Russian Terrier
Then we move on to the next powerful specimen.
I challenge you to turn your conception of terriers as a small breed on its head.
As tall as 76 cm or 30 inches the Black Russian Terrier weighs a hefty 68 kg or 150 lbs.
They look like Airedale Terriers that have joined a gym and taken a lot of steroids.
According to the breed standard the tail has the shape of a saber or sickle.
The dog was developed in Russia less than a century ago to work as a military guard dog.
Most dogs of this breed have their tails docked.
These dogs need a lot of training exercise and socialization to become amazing family pets.
4. Bracco Italiano
An all-around hunting breed the Italian Pointing Dog is known also as the Italian Pointing Dog.
The Bracco Italiano was a late starter outside of Italy because it had oversized ears sunken eyes a fleshy mouth and a long nose.
Breed examples from this breed might have docked or undocked tails. They were introduced to the U.K. in the early 1900s and to the U.S. in the 1990s.
There should be a slight curl to the tail as it ends if it isnot docked.
With a height of 27 inches or 69 cm and a weight of upwards of 75 lbs or 34 kg Italian Pointers ooze purpose and drive.
Despite only requiring moderate amounts of exercise they thrive with regular training or structured activity on top of a thirty-minute walk each day.
5. Tibetian Mastiff
I am your personal genie if you loved the fluffy and extremely bushy tail on an Alaskan Malamute but you thought “that tail would look better on a bigger dog.”
Here is a Tibetan Mastiff for your consideration.
The tail of this incredible XL feather duster weighs up to 68 kgs or 150 lbs and measures at least 66 cm or 26 inches tall.
Your curly-tailed soul mate is waiting for you if you do not mind having an enormous food bill having to purchase an extra sofa just for your pet and grooming your dog all the time.
These dogs were bred to guard family members and home life and are naturally suspicious of strangers.
6. Sloughi
In the North African desert Sloughis were bred to hunt a variety of games.
Check out that tail.
The tail of an Afghan Hound is also delicate and thin but has more curl.
Consider a Cinnamon Bun center more swirled than curled.
Sloughi are slimmer than Greyhounds as photos show their ribs more prominently than Greyhounds.
Adult males can reach a height of 74cm or 29 inches and weigh up to 32 kg or 70 pounds.
They come in a variety of coat colors such as light sands creams and mahogany.
With a high prey drive and a great turn of speed this breed does not need a lot of exercise; however when they decide to run they are a sight to behold.
Unenclosed areas can be very dangerous for people with these traits.
7. St. Bernard
Dog worlds great workhorse St. Bernard is as elegant and lightweight as the Afghan Hound.
There are exceptions to the rule however!
There is no denying the fact that this is a very large dog standing up to 90 cm (35 inches) tall and weighing around 110 kg (240 lbs).
Even though these dogs do not have the curliest tail in the world their tails should have a slight curl at the end.
According to the AKC breed standard these can have a slight curl at the end.
It will still have an “F” shape despite the tail hanging straight down.
St Bernards were developed to provide mountain rescue to lost and weary travelers.
It is normal for dogs who work in such cold climates to have curly tails.
The reason for this is that it can be used as a scarf to provide warmth to the dog while he or she is sleeping.
St. Bernards however are different.
Is it possible they do not sleep because they are so hardworking?
8. Doberman
Seeing a Doberman on my list of large breeds with curly tails might make you do a double-take.
A dog with almost no tail is included in this list? How is that even possible?
In the UK and many other European countries however docking dog tails is illegal.
From the video of the dog above you can see that the Dobermans tail has a natural curl and wave to it.
There is no doubt that you are in the presence of a big dog when you see a Doberman.
Approximately 27″ tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 99 lbs (45 kg) these dogs have an elegant if not slightly intimidating appearance.
Underneath that short shiny coat could there be a muscular physique?
Dobermans are not suitable for first-time dog owners due to their origins as a bodyguard for German tax collectors.
They can however make great family pets if they receive the proper care attention training and exercise.
9. Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier Des Flandres originates from Flanders in Belgium.
Their original purpose as bouviers was to be cow herders.
As with many other breeds however expertise in one area was not enough to make a dog exceptional.
They have come to be such excellent watchdogs and guardians because farmers needed dogs who could do more than one job.
In the history of the breed World War One was a pivotal period.
In addition to almost driving them to extinction it gave the breed a new purpose.
As the muddy battlefields where the dogs earned their keep became the battlefields where millions of men died BFFs were used extensively by the Belgian army.
Historically these dogs have had their tails docked due to a rough curly coat and an unusual set of ears.
While not quite as tall as Black Russian Terriers these dogs have more than a passing resemblance to them.
Full-grown male BdF can reach a height of 27 inches (68 cm) at the shoulder and weigh a bit over 88 lbs (40 lbs).
However when left “undocked” their tails stand beautifully upright with a slight curve at the tip much like the shape of a quotation mark.
10. Akita
After traveling through North Africa we now travel to Japan to find our penultimate large dog with a curly tail.
Even though the Akita is a centuries-old Japanese dog today there are two recognized varieties- the American Akita and the Akita Inu: though the AKC is alone in begging to differ.
Despite its tighter curl both varieties of the Akita have a curly tail which is crucial for our purposes.
In general the American Akita is slightly larger than the Inu standing about an inch taller (28 inches to 27 inches) as an adult male.
When it comes to weight however there is a real difference.
Male American Akitas can weigh up to 20 pounds more than their Japanese counterparts – 110 lbs (50 kg) versus 90 lbs (41 kg).
And the Inu comes in a wider range of brighter colors including ginger or red whereas the American comes in much darker sable colors.
One of the most famous dog stories in history best describes their personality.
It walked every day to the local train station to look for its owner for nine years after the owner died after being so loyal.
11. Chow Chow
We return to Asia for the last dog on our list- the Chow Chow.
This breed would definitely win a contest for the most appropriate name for a dog breed.
Chinese Chow Chow translates to “puffy lion dog” in English- what a better name for the breed!
Breeds like these are so old that no one can quite explain why they were developed.
There is a story that Chow Chows were bred to pull sleds and another story that they were bred to be eaten by humans.
They have thick bushy tails that curl straight over their backs.
Compared to many of the breeds on this list Chow Chows are smaller.
Males can grow up to 22 inches (55 cm) in height and weigh around 70 pounds (32 kg).
While they do not shed a lot of hair which is a surprise since they have enough of it these dogs do need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats in good condition.
Another trait to keep in mind is that this breed can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training!
If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.
