11 Pug Tail Questions: It’s Quite a Tale!
Pugs are amongst the most favorite lapdogs of the 21st century. Their unique appearance and fabulous personality have been winning millions of hearts for decades. Actually, they’ve been winning hearts for centuries. They have a long history of being a favorite.
No doubt, this breed is unique in every aspect. Many things make them stand out in the pack. The one thing that we’ll discuss in this article is the Pug tail.
“Why do Pugs have curly tails?” What is the reason behind their beautiful cinnamon roll tail (and who doesn’t love that)? These are the questions that many Pug owners and non-Pug owners ask themselves.
In this section, we are going to have a look at some details about the Pug tail, including:
- Why do Pugs have curly tails?
- When does the Pug tail curl?
- At what age do Pugs start wagging their tails?
- Do all Pugs have curly tails?
- Which way should the Pug tail curl?
- Are there different types of Pug tail curls?
- Why does the Pug tail go straight?
- What are some common Pug tail issues?
- What other breeds have curly tails?
- Should I contact my vet if my Pug’s uncurled tail?
- Why do Pugs not like their tail being touched?
1. Why do Pugs have curly tails?
The reason behind the Pug’s curly tail is its spinal deviation. Pug’s spinal bones are called vertebrae or hemivertebrae. Most dogs have symmetrical columns, which results in straight tails. Pugs have wedge-shaped bones. These don’t line up correctly and cause the curl or the corkscrew.
The signature curl adds to this breed’s beauty. Mostly, all pure breed Pugs have beautiful curly tails. The Pug tail adds to the cuteness of your puppy. It can also give a signal about how your pooch is feeling.
You should never let children pull a Pug tail because it could cause them damage. The tail is connected to the spinal cord, and pulling could result in permanent damage.
2. When does the Pug tail curl?
Usually, Pugs and other dogs are born with a straight tail. The same is the case of Pugs. No matter what you think or do, your Pug puppy will have a straight tail when it is born.
They develop their natural curls generally within the first few weeks. Sometimes it takes up to two months. Don’t worry when it will start to curl. I’ve never met a Pug without a curl to his tail. Your tiny fellow will develop it soon.
By the time you pick your Pug up from the breeder (link here), that Pug tail will already be curled.
3. At What Age Does the Pug Start Wagging His or Her Tail?
Pug puppies usually begin to wag their tail when they are around seven weeks old. Wagging is a means of communication for them.
Pugs use their tail to express their feelings and emotions. They also use other body languages to communicate. The faster the tail wags, the happier the pup is.
Tail wagging increases the puppy’s communication abilities. If there is no wagging even after seven weeks, it is high time to call a vet.
The best thing about watching a Pug wag his tail is when it’s the little cinnamon bun wags back and forth. Does a Pug ever wag a straight tail? I’ve only seen this when my Pugs are sound asleep and dreaming. Maybe they’re dreaming about eating popcorn or French fries!
4. Do All Pugs have Curly Tails?
Most pure breed Pugs that you see will have twisted tails. This adorable twist is a result of a hundred years of selective breeding. However, some Pugs do have a loose tail. There are a few reasons behind that:
The puppy might not be feeling well. He/she may be experiencing some health issues.
The Pug tail curls usually begin to vanish at old age. Their muscles may start to weaken, or arthritis sets in. Both of these things can cause a Pug’s tail to go straight.
Younger puppies uncurl their tail a lot. But there is no need to worry about it. As they grow, the Pug tail tightens up. It will stay twisted more often.
An injury to the tail can also result in a straight tail. This is why it’s so important to watch children around Pugs. That little curly Pug tail may be too tempting not to pull.
Inflammation can also result in a straight Pug tail. If a dog has inflammation in its rectum area, he may hold his tail low. There are other signs that their straight tail is due to inflammation. If your Pug has a straight tail, it’s useful to check for these other symptoms to rule out inflammation.
Some dogs suffer from Limber tail. Generally, these dogs are working dogs, which are Pugs are not! It’s worth noting, however, as a Pug could be affected by this.
This is caused by strain or overworking the tail due to swimming, excessive exercise, or exposure to cold weather. Any breed can become inflicted with Limber tail.
It is worth noting if your Pug has been swimming or in the cold.
Poor breeding practices also lead to straight tails. Some breeders try aggressive methods to achieve a double curl. Not all these methods are successful.
The cross between two loose tail Pugs also produces puppies that have little curling.
5. Which way should the Pug’s tail curl?
Have you ever thought that your Pug’s tail should curl a specific way?
This is a common thought and question asked by Pug owners. Ideally, your Pug should have a happy curly tail. Both left and right side curls are fine.
Commonly Pugs have a tail curled towards their body. You will see them with twisted tails during the daytime. But the canines uncurl their tail when they are sleeping. It is because the Pug’s body enters a state of relaxation while it’s sleep.
However, uncurling of the Pug tail during day time needs your attention. Keep an eye on what your furry fellow is trying to communicate.
6. Are there different types of Pug tail curls?
Types of Pug Tail Curls
According to statistics, only 25% of Pug dogs have a double curled Pug tail. The rest, 75%, have single curl tails. The double curl tails are more famous and are also known as tightly curled tails.
There are two common types of Pug tails:
Single curled tail
Single curl tails are common in Pugs. Such tails have only one curl. These tails can go on either side of their body. One curl tail usually stays on the puppy’s back. This type is common but is not preferred in shows.
Single curled tail dogs can be registered through the American Kennel Club and other breed clubs.
But they don’t give the classy look. However, as long as you love your puppy, the look doesn’t matter.
Double curl tails
These Pug tails have a look similar to cinnamon rolls. Double curl tails have a really tight curl. This type of tail rarely straightens. It remains curled even when the puppy is sleeping.
Double curl tail dogs are mostly preferred as show dogs. Careful breeding practices are required to achieve this tail type.
The AKC Pug breed standard is a tightly curled tail, preferably a double curl. I owned one Pug with a double curled tail. He was from a Champion Bloodline. For me, he was a better lapdog than he would have been as a show dog. Every night he won first prize for curling up on the couch with me!
7. Why does a Pug make its tail go straight?
There are several reasons due to which a Pug loses its tail curls. Most of the time, the reasons are quite normal. There is no need to fear until the tail stays straight for a long time.
Let us share some reasons why your Pug’s tail would go straight.
Being disciplined or ashamed
Pugs uncurl their tail if they are being disciplined. Your puppy might straighten his Pug tail between his legs if he has done something naughty.
Maybe you caught your puppy chewing your shoe. You see the chewed up shoe and respond with a cross look and use a different tone. I would love to think that my Pug knows he did something wrong and feels guilty. Probably not so. He is responding to your body language, not his action. All he knows is that you aren’t loving on him and petting him like you usually do.
So guess what? Next time he gets bored, he may chew up another shoe. He didn’t learn anything last time.
Sleep
Having an uncurled Pug tail while sleeping is also common. It is because the muscle around the tail relaxes in their sleep. You may even see a straight Pug tail wag during a fun dream.
Mood
Your little pooch cannot communicate like humans. So they use their body for communication. Your canine can be nervous, anxious, sad, tired, or guilty. These expressions also result in a down tail. You may not know precisely what your Pug is feeling, but you’ll know that his mood is not his usual happy self.
Concentrating or eating
Pugs uncurl the tail while they are eating or chewing something. They do this to concentrate on specific activities.
You may find your Pug is chewing its favorite toy with an uncurled tail for long hours. But don’t get panic. The Pug tail will go back to its original state as soon as the activity finishes.
Age
One of the worst feelings is watching your pet getting aged. Old age comes with many health issues. Your Pug may develop turns off health problems.
A common health problem in senior Pugs is a straight tail syndrome. It happens because the Pug loses its muscle strength. This muscle strength is responsible for keeping the tail curled.
Senior dogs are grown-up babies. Do not forget to schedule regular checkups with your vet for them.
Injury or illness
A straight (limp) and weaken tail without any curls can be a sign of sickness. Your fluffy fellow might not be feeling well.
Muscles around the Pug tail lose their ability to produce the curl in sickness. An injury can also weaken the curl muscles. If the tail continues to be straight for a few hours, you should probably call your vet or make an appointment.
8. What are common Pug tail issues?
The Q-shaped tail curl is a Pug’s most impressive feature. Many people wish to have this tail shape for their Pug dog. But the Pug faces tons of problems due to this lovely tail.
The folded part of the tale easily gets moisture, which is like an invitation to the fleas. The body shape of a Pug makes it difficult for him to reach its tail. They are unable to chew on their Pug tail.
Fleas can rapidly grow in a Pug’s tail portion. This growth can lead your Pug to tail injuries, skin allergy, and irritation.
Make sure when you clean his wrinkles, you check where the tail meets his body. It’s usually a tight area and results in ick! Also, dry the Pug tail area thoroughly after a bath. You don’t want it to stay moist and open up the possibility for infection.
A common sign is a redness at the bottom of the Pug’s tail. Other symptoms include irritation and the presence of blood. It is essential to clean the Pug’s tail to avoid any health issues.
Other tail problems you can expect to see are:
Limp tail
What does it indicate?
A limp tail or straight tail is common in senior Pugs. It is because the senior dog loses its muscle capacity to keep the tails curled. Some senior dogs also find it difficult to wag their tails.
However, if the tail easily drops down, it may be a symptom of extreme pet anxiety.
The limp tail is not very common in younger Pugs. It usually happens when the Pug suffers from an injury in or near the tailbone. The bone can be fractured due to any reason. It can be broke. The limp tail can be diagnosed by an x-ray.
You will need some help from a reliable vet for the diagnosis and treatment. The limp tail may involve pain medications and anti-swelling medicine. Your Pug will need complete rest. It shouldn’t be too difficult to get your Pug to rest!
A fractured Pug tail is painful and causes discomfort. It is important to fix this issue as soon as possible so the bones can reposition properly. Again, be sure there is no Pug tail pulling. It can be so tempting for toddlers when they see that cinnamon bun tail.
Screw Tail
Screw tail is caused by some irregularity in the vertebrae of your pet’s tail. Mostly bulldogs suffer from this disease. But Pugs can also face it.
Screw tail results in infected skin folds. These skin folds are painful, as well. This disease blocks the anal passage. The fido is unable to use the bathroom properly. This blockage causes serious infections.
This condition is also referred to as corkscrew tail, ingrown tail, tail fold intertrigo, and tail fold dermatitis.
Your pet needs a serious veterinarian examination for this disease. There is a possibility that the vet will clean the area. They usually shave the tail to avoid more infections.
The treatment depends on the seriousness of the issue. Your Pug may also require a surgeon to fix this problem.
9. What other breeds have curly tails?
Pug is a designer breed with curly tails. But there are some other curly tail dog breeds as well.
Such as:
Each dog breed is unique. And every puppy has its own personal characteristics. Mostly a Pug’s tail depends on the breeding. This is the breeding that has been ongoing for multiple generations
10. Should I contact a vet for my Pug’s uncurled tail?
Mostly uncurled tails are not a big deal. It is ok as long as the tail returns to its natural curl state. It is best to contact a trustworthy vet if the uncurl state stays longer. Your dog could be suffering from some discomfort. Watch your Pug and notice if he is exhibiting other signs of discomfort. In any event, you may want to call your vet if he has a straight tail for a few hours.
No doubt vet bills can be hard to manage. That’s why pet owners should think about pet insurance. This insurance will help you cover the cost.
11. Why do Pugs not like their tail being touched?
The tail is a sensitive body part. Your Pug’s tail does have pain receptors. Touching or pulling the tail can make the puppy feel scared and uncomfortable. Your pooch can get disturbed, confused, or nervous.
If someone grabs your puppy’s tail, make sure there are no signs of injury or pain.
Conclusion
The Pug tail is a body part that is mostly ignored. It is a tool for the fido to communicate with other dogs and humans. You should protect your Pug’s tails just like you protect their squishy faces.
An eye on your Pug’s tail and a proper diet can reduce all health issues. Keep your Pug’s tail clean so that you can have a happy and jumping pooch around!
Pay attention to your Pug’s tail.