Many dogs have fluffy tails, ranging from toy breeds to sled dogs. In this article, we’ve listed 23 of our favourite dogs with fluffy tails, along with information about the breed’s appearance and history.
Keep in mind that a fluffy tail is not a true tail “type”, like a corkscrew or otter tail. Instead, it’s an aesthetic feature that depends on the breed’s coat. Most breeds on this list have a double coat, which is why their tail is so fluffy.
Also, at The Dog Clinic, we recommend adopting a dog whenever possible. There are far too many beautiful dogs in shelters that deserve a second chance in life. You can find shelter dogs of almost any breed – including the fluffy tail breeds in this article – and we don’t think there’s anything more rewarding than bringing a rescue dog into your family.
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Which Dogs Have Fluffy Tails?
German Spitz
The German Spitz is a compact breed with a bushy tail that curls over its body. Its plush double coat, which is particularly fluffy on the tail, comes in a range of colors. These include white, black, cream, and more.
The German Spitz descended from larger Nordic herding and watchdog breeds. Traditionally, they served as watchdogs on farms. Despite their decreased farm use today, they continue to be popular pets worldwide.
Havanese
The Havanese is a popular small dog breed. It has a long, silky coat that often reaches the floor. Its tail also arches over its back in a plume of fluff, giving the Havanese a distinctive appearance.
Historically, Havanese dogs are native to the city of Havana in Cuba. They were originally bred as companion dogs for the Cuban aristocracy during the 19th century. It’s thought they descended from a previous breed known as the Havana Silk Dog, combined with imported Poodles.
American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog, often called the “Eskie”, has a white double coat with mane-like fur around the chest and shoulders. Its tail is fluffy and curls tightly over the back, adding to the breed’s majestic appearance.
The American Eskimo Dog, contrary to its name, originated in Germany. It was originally bred as a working dog, capable of herding and guarding properties.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu has a thick double coat that comes in a variety of colors, including red, sesame, black and tan, or cream. Its tail is thick and fluffy, curling tightly over its back, which is one of the breed’s most recognizable features.
The Shiba Inu is one of Japan’s oldest and smallest native breeds. They were originally bred for hunting small game in the mountainous regions of the country. Despite being nearly wiped out by a combination of food shortages and canine distemper during World War II, efforts were made to preserve the breed due to its cultural significance.
Akita
The Akita has a powerful physique, along with a thick double coat that can be a variety of colours. The tail is plush and curls over the back.
This breed originated in the mountainous northern regions of Japan and was initially used for hunting large game such as bears, boars, and deer. The Akita is deeply tied to Japanese culture.
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large dog breed with a dense, waterproof coat. This breed also has a plume-like tail that arches over the back.
Originating in Alaska, these dogs were bred by the native Mahlemut tribe. Alaskan Malamutes were work dogs, mainly used for heavy sledding and hunting seals.
Maltese
The Maltese is a small breed with a flowing white coat. Its tail is covered with long, silky hair and arches over the back.
The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds, with a history tracing back at least 2,800 years. Originating from the island of Malta, these dogs were bred to be the companions of rich families.
Poodle
Poodles come in three primary sizes: standard, miniature, and toy (although there is also a “medium” poodle that’s less well-recognised). All share the same curly coat that can be clipped in various styles, with the tail often left with a fluffy pom-pom of fur.
Originally bred in Germany but further developed in France, Poodles were used for a variety of purposes, including retrieving waterfowl. Their distinctive clips were not just for show though. These haircuts helped protect vital areas from cold water while reducing the drag on their swimming bodies.
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a large breed known for its dense double coat with water-resistant properties. The coat can be black, brown, gray, or Landseer (white with black markings). The breed’s thick tail is fluffy and hangs down when the dog is at rest.
Originating from the Canadian province of Newfoundland, these dogs were initially bred to help fishermen. Their tasks included hauling nets, fetching ropes, and even rescuing overboard fishermen.
Chihuahua (Long Coat)
The Chihuahua is a tiny breed with two coat varieties: smooth and long. The long-coat variety features soft, flat, or slightly curly hair, and a fluffy curved tail. The tail can also be long in relation to the body.
The Chihuahua is native to Mexico and is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It is considered the smallest dog breed and was originally bred for companionship.
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog with a thick double coat. Its tail is heavily furred and often curls over the back.
The Siberian Husky was bred by the Chukchi people of northeastern Asia. They used the dogs to pull heavy sleds over long distances in harsh winter conditions. Later, Siberian Huskies were imported into Alaska, and later spread to the rest of the United States and Canada.
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a square build and a dense double coat. The coat ranges in various shades of golden-red to honey-colored. Its plumed and fluffy tail also curls up and over the back.
The Finnish Spitz, as its name suggests, comes from Finland. It was originally bred for hunting a wide variety of game. However, its speciality is birds, as it has a unique yodel to alert a hunter to the location of game birds. This led to its nickname the “barking bird dog.”
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is a sturdy, medium-sized breed. It’s known for its dense double coat, which can be either smooth or rough. The breed’s tail is plush and typically lays over the back.
The Chow Chow is an ancient breed that originated in China. It was a multi-purpose dog, utilized for hunting and guarding.
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé is a small dog with a curly white coat. The tail is typically curved over the back, and is covered with a silky plume of hair.
The Bichon Frisé is a Mediterranean breed. It was bred to be a companion dog to royalty in the 13th century, and was popular in Spain, France, and Italy.
Papillon
The Papillon is a small dog known for its long, silky coat. The breed’s plumed tail curls up over the body, and is covered with a flowing fringe of hair.
This breed, which is named after its butterfly-like ears, originated in Europe. It was a favorite of the nobility during the Renaissance and was bred primarily as a lap dog.
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a small breed with a heavy coat that comes in various colors. Its tail, which has long flowing hair, is set high and is usually carried over the back.
Lhasa Apsos served as sentinel dogs in Tibetan palaces and Buddhist monasteries. They were bred to alert monks to any intruders.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is an active toy breed that’s well-known for its fluffy double coat and plume-like tail. The tail is also covered with long, dense hair.
This breed originated in the Pomerania region of present-day Poland and Germany. They were initially used as sled dogs and were much bigger than they are today. However, they were downsized to serve as companion dogs for nobility in the 19th century.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a small dog breed. It’s recognisable by its long coat that forms a mane around the neck. This breed also has a fluffy tail that arches over the back.
The Pekingese originated in China and is one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back over 2,000 years. They were royal dogs, bred for the Chinese imperial court, and their ownership was restricted to members of the imperial palace.
Bolognese
The Bolognese is a small dog breed covered in a fluffy, pure white coat. The tail is curved over the back, and has a plume of long hair.
The Bolognese comes from Bologna, a city in northern Italy. This breed was selectively bred for many centuries as a companion dog. It was favored by the nobility and the wealthy, especially during the Renaissance period.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a toy breed with a luxurious double coat. The tail, covered with thick fur, curls over the back and is one of the breed’s most distinguishing features.
The Shih Tzu is of Tibetan origin but was developed in China, where they lived in imperial palaces as companion dogs.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is an athletic breed known for its intelligence and dense double coat, which can be either rough or smooth. The breed’s tail is moderately long and is covered in fur.
Border Collies originated on the border between England and Scotland. They were bred for herding livestock, especially sheep.
Samoyed
The Samoyed is instantly recognizable from its lush double coat. Its plume-like tail curls all the way onto its back, adding to the breed’s elegant appearance.
Samoyeds were bred by the nomadic Samoyedic people. They were multi-purpose dogs, used for herding reindeer, hunting, and hauling sledges. This breed also helped keep their owners warm during cold nights.
Keeshond
The Keeshond is a medium-sized breed with a plush coat that comes in a mixture of gray, black, and cream. Its tail is plumed and curls tightly over the back.
Keeshondens were bred in the Netherlands to be companion and guard dogs on riverboats, farms, and barges.
Why You Should Never Choose a Dog Breed Based On A Fluffy Tail
It probably sounds obvious, but you should never choose a dog breed based on a fluffy tail – or any aesthetic characteristic, for that matter.
Instead, think carefully about which dog breeds would be a match for your lifestyle, living arrangements, and activity levels. Research potential breeds thoroughly, including how big the dog is likely to get, how much exercise they need, how much grooming is required, and known health issues.
Related Article: Which Dog Breeds Have Curly Tails?
Summary
There are many dogs with fluffy tails. These breeds typically also have thick double coats, and range in size from the tiny Chihuahua to the huge Newfoundland.
Remember, there are many rescue dogs looking for a new home. At The Dog Clinic, we encourage people to consider adopting a shelter dog, rather than buying from a breeder.
Do you have any questions about dogs with fluffy tails? Or about anything else related to dogs? Please let us know in the comments section below!
