There are many different tail types in dogs, and the type of tail a dog has can depend on its breed or mix of breeds. Here is a list of some of the more common tail types seen in dogs:
| Tail Type | Description | Breeds that commonly have this tail type |
|---|---|---|
| Straight tail | A tail that is straight and tapering, with no curve or kink. | German Shepherd, Greyhound, Siberian Husky |
| Curled tail | A tail that is curled over the dog's back or to one side. | Pomeranian, Shiba Inu, Akita |
| Corkscrew tail | A tail that is twisted in a spiral shape, like a corkscrew. | Bull Terrier, Basenji, Alaskan Malamute |
| Bobtail | A tail that has been surgically or naturally shortened. | Australian Shepherd, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Old English Sheepdog |
| Feathered tail | A tail that is long and covered in fur, giving it a feathery appearance. | Afghan Hound, English Springer Spaniel, Irish Setter |
| Whip tail | A tail that is long and thin, with a sharp curve at the end. | Whippet, Greyhound, Italian Greyhound |
| Otter tail | A thick, strong tail that tapers to a point, resembling an otter's tail. | Labrador Retriever, American Water Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever |
| Screw tail | A tail that is tightly curled or twisted. | Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier |
| Sickle tail | A tail that curves slightly upwards at the end. | Saluki, Borzoi, Greyhound |
| Carrot tail | A thin tail that tapers to a point, resembling a carrot. | Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound, Cirneco dell'Etna |
| Spitz tail | A tail that curls over the dog's back. | Samoyed, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Elkhound |
| Lion tail | A tail that is long and full, with a thick tuft of fur at the end. | Chow Chow, Keeshond, Shih Tzu |
| Tassel tail | A tail that is long and feathered, with hair that hangs down like a tassel. | Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, Welsh Springer Spaniel |
| Rat tail | A thin, hairless tail that is long and tapering. | Chinese Crested, Whippet, Greyhound |
| Tapered tail | A tail that gradually narrows from base to tip. | Doberman Pinscher, Weimaraner, Boxer |
| Plumed tail | A tail that is long and fluffy, with feathers of long hair. | Akita, Norwegian Buhund, Chow Chow |
It’s important to note that not all dogs fit neatly into one of these categories, and there can be a lot of variation within breeds as well.