This post may contain affiliate links. The tail of a labrador should not be bushy, fluffy, or curly; rather, it should be straight and neatly coiled. Individuals often confuse labs for curly tails since a lot of dogs have the same. Puppy mills sell puppies at much lower prices, but dont be tempted. Both breeds have water resilient coats. The breed was initially developed as a working animal and its the physical features described that enable a Labrador to endure the rigors of working in harsh environments such as cold water and thick undergrowth. They come from a spitz origin, which gives them their thick coats and curly tails. They may have been born with a regular Otter tail, but it gradually became curly, given the medical consideration. Another element of health that needs to be considered is general care of the breed. EverythingLabradors.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. 6. Both dogs need consistent socialization and training to be happy and friendly. Straight, thick, "otter like" tails are much more common among US bench line Labs (AKA "show" & "English"). Both breeds are eager to please, so will be keen to learn. Composites (crossbreds) that contain a breed from an at risk population are also at risk . When the damage to the skin and muscles is serious, it is best to seek medical attention. Labradors can have curly tails due to genetic variations. Although this breed may be more wary around strangers than Labs. Any inefficiencies in movement will only hinder its working performance in high activity pursuits. Labrador Retrievers actually share an ancestor with the Curly Coated Retriever the St. Johns Water Dog! Labrador Breed Standard What Makes a Lab a Lab? Curly-Coated Retrievers are one . As described in the characteristics above the temperament is of vital importance. Labs are not allowed to have curly tails; any feathering, bushiness, or curl in the tail is a sign that the dog was not bred according to the criteria or that the dog is flawed. To stop the bleeding, cover the tail in a towel. If both parents are purebred Labradors, there is only a 25% chance your puppy will have a curly tail. Curly tails or naturally short or thin tails are merely considered faults. The well sprung ribs refer to the Labrador look having a chest that extends out from the spine and nicely curves down into the belly giving a nice, filled out strong-looking shape. Many people believe that Golden Retrievers can have curly tails, as long as their coat is kept clean and free of tangles. Huskies have "curly" tails to help them sleep better in harsh winter weather. But judges in the ring can and do make some room for small differences here, though a Labrador shouldnt be too large or too small. Curly Coat Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are very similar sizes, but the Curly Coat Retriever is slightly bigger. Calves are born with little or no hair; in most cases, calves will grow a short curly hair coat as they age. Sagebrush They have all the beloved qualities of the Labrador and a beautiful chocolaty brown coat. If the breeder has guaranteed that you have a purebred Labrador, but it has a tail that does not meet the breed standards. One of our favorite books is Your Labrador Retriever Puppy . This isnt desirable and the Labradors legs should be straight when viewed from the rear. A Labrador Retriever should be balanced in movement, moving steadily and gracefully with minimal effort. It might not matter too much to you where your dog is from, or what its original purpose was. However, studies have found that the lifespan of a black and yellow Lab is just over 12 years while a chocolate Labrador has a shorter lifespan of 10.7 years. The definitive answer to the question. Labradors, according to breed standards, should have straight tails. A tail tip fracture usually heals without treatment, though it may leave a hump or kink in the tail. Dogs can have a condition called Limber Tail which can mean the tail is limp or drooping. Hello. Labs have relatively short, dense coats made up of an outer and inner layer of fur. Ive had and have seen many labs with random black spots on pink, but never one with this much black. Genetics plays a role in the kind of tail dogs will have, so different combinations will result in many variations of the curly . Theyre even great swimmers! Lifespan is another thing that is likely to be important to you when choosing between these two gundogs. They got lucky meeting you. They will love retrieving games, such as fetch. The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid breed that was created by using a purebred Labrador retriever and crossing it with Poodles, Curly Coated Retrievers, English and American Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Water Spaniels. Clean, strong, powerful, set into well placed shoulders.. Do you have any insight? The Labrador breed standard was created in the early 1900s and while there have been a few minor changes and extensions since, its still the same standard thats in use today. Its a real shame and although could be partly due to genetics, I have to say that its mostly owners overfeeding and not exercising their dogs enough. If they have a tail that curls back, it is a minor fault. Testing is important to ensure puppies are as healthy as possible, and to reduce the risk of the problems above. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog. You can see the undercoat by running your hand against the lay of the fur. A Labrador should be of a solid coat color, but a small white patch is permissible on the chest, this coloration having been very common in the St Johns Dog, the ancestor of todays modern Labrador. If the dog is a yellow or black lab, check that the puppy has brown eyes. Welcome To The Oxford Family! . A Breeding Challenge. The medical term for this condition is hemivertebrae. Golden Retriever tails will generally begin to get fluffy or feather out around 6-7 months old. Kinked and curled teapot tails are considered a minor fault. It's common in these breeds and not a concern as long as it effects the only the tail. When laying down, their fluffy curly tail wraps around their body and can cover their face for added warmth and protection. Labs are known for being friendly, social, and happy dogs. Instead, it parallels the top line of their business (the line from their neck to tail). Scratches can occur when a dogs tail wags against an abrasive surface or gets caught on something. If you suspect the breeder may have lied, a genetic test can determine your Labradors genetic history. As a Chewy Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ideal height at withers: dogs: 56-57 cms (22-221/2 ins); bitches: 55-56 cms (211/2-22 ins)., SizeThe height at the withers for a dog is 22 to 24 inches; for a bitch is 21 to 23 inches. Both breeds have similar needs in terms of their exercise. The Labrador Retriever has a healthy body conformation, but is prone to some hereditary health problems. The tails of Labrador Retrievers have very little to no feathering, in contrast to the tails of other retriever breeds like the Golden Retriever. The test will include if Labs coat is water-resistant, if it has an Otter tail (thick and sturdy), if it has an angular head with amoderately-sized muzzle, along with the dogs eyes, leg size, coat color, and more. A tail that is somewhat raised at its point of attachment to the body. Dogs who are a result of mixed breeding get 50:50 or 75:25 per cent genetics of both their parent breeds. It is acceptable for the dogs tail to curl upwards when it is happy, but the tail should not curl over the back in a natural position. A curly tail will not disqualify your dog from being a Labrador, it may just lose points in a show. why do all the official dog sizes written exclude the lenght of the labrador. A curly tail like this most likely means that the dog is not purebred, or they have a genetic deformity. What breed of dogs tails curl? Here are seven fun facts about this smart and active dog. If it was shy or too aggressive, it wouldnt be comfortable or suited to such a role. Goldendoodles are created by breeding a purebred poodle and a purebred golden retriever. It doesnt pose medical issues but may be a sign that your Labrador is a mixed breed. The only issue is that his tail, although shaped like an otters tail, sometimes curls over his back. To find what breed your Labrador is mixed with, determine his physical appearance and make. Theres nothing to worry about if a dog has a curly tail. Therefore, Labrador tails should not be docked or their natural length altered; otherwise, this is a disqualification. Labs have long, floppy ears and tapered tails. Chihuahuas can have either straight or curly tails. A GSD that holds its tail upright and stiff means they are the pack leader. The broad, medium-length tail of the Labrador creates a beautiful, flowing, and balanced line that extends from the head to the tip of the tail. Some Labradors tails do curl. However, according to experts, aVisual assessment cant be correct all the time, and therefore it isnt enough to justify whether a Labrador is purebred or not. Sometimes the tail can be seen curled. The eyes are the window to the soul and the soul of a Labrador is kindly and good-tempered. Docked tails or tails that curl over to touch the body do not meet the AKC standards for a Labrador's tail. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'oxfordpets_com-leader-1','ezslot_3',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-leader-1-0'); Besides the physical examination, a DNA test too can determine your Labradors parents and breed. Curly Coat Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are very similar sizes, but the Curly Coat Retriever is slightly bigger. German Shepherds and Limber Tail Syndrome. The curling of the tail is a clear sign that the dog is not a purebred lab. The tail of a typical Labrador Retriever is stocky at the base and thins down to a point as it moves toward the tip. According to standards developed by Labradoodle breeders, the tip of a Labradoodle's tail should not curl completely onto itself or touch the dog's back. It has tons of information about our favorite breed. A Labs tail gives him a nice flowing and balanced line from the head to the tip of the tail. However, they have a distinctive look that is hard to miss. However, if your Purebred Labrador has a curly tail or is developing one, the chances of him suffering from Hemivertebra are prominent. There is an extensive list of characteristics a dog must have, and cannot have to qualify as a particular breed. According to the breed standards, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the labrador is its tail, which is medium in length, and lacks feathering but is densely covered all over with a short, thick, and dense coat, giving it the appearance of being rounded. One of the main differences in appearance between the Curly Coated Retriever and the Labrador Retriever is their coat type. However, since it isa rare congenital spinal malformation, get your dogs tests done as soon as possible.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',119,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oxfordpets_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-119{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. The Labrador Retriever is Americas favorite breed, and the Curly Coated Retriever is a lot less well known! Labradors have a double coat and are moderate shedders all year round. The Labrador temperament is as important and famous as their looks! As a working breed, they must be agile and athletic. Unlike the other retriever breeds, Labs have minimal to no feathering on their tails. These dog breeds are all purebred. However, whether your Labradoodle will have a curly tail depends on genetics and chance. 1. But, because they are intelligent breeds, these dogs can become easily bored. The nostrils wide and developed signal a strong scenting ability thats essential in a retrieving breed that is able to sniff out fallen game. For a Labrador puppy, you should expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $1200. Yesterday i buy Labrador puppy (Black color) He have a white spot on chestonly chest Now 33days old Is tis original??? Well,, Read More How To Keep Your House Clean With A LabradorContinue, Yellow Labrador puppies grow faster than other colors, and they get darker with age. The curl is a genetic trait carried down by one or both parents. Medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper; brown or hazel.. health survey of purebred dogs in the UK to determine median lifespan in a variety of breeds. These are a visual assessment, a DNA test, and pedigree papers. With regards to body weight, sadly I see so many overweight Labradors in the UK. The male yellow Labs are generally larger than the female yellow Labs. Can purebred Labs have curly tails? These are known as mismarks, and they can be found in some dogs of all purebred Labrador color types and are not considered an indication that it isn't purebred. It would be too hard to train and unreliable when working. Any play toy he had he will completely destroy. She was very skinny and wormy.i took her to my vet. The chances of physical disability or medical concern, though, are very low in such cases. Females are generally smaller than males for both breeds. For example, if you have an Akita puppy that does not yet have a curly tail, you can expect it to curl over time. To clarify for me hound dog breeds are like beagle, bassets, walkers, or any other stereotypical hunting dogs you might see in the back woods. Not all are testable such as gastric dilatation volvulus. How to Stop Labrador Eating Sticks and Rocks? You can also obtain certificates of pedigree to understand the history of a dog. This is a long process that will not happen suddenly overnight. Curly tails or tails that hang over the back are listed variations of a Labrador per the AKC. The undercoat provides a dense weather and water-proof layer allowing the Labrador to work in cold conditions and be able to swim in somewhat unforgiving cold waters. Why Does My Purebred Lab Have A Curly Tail? The OFA maintainsdatabases to track health concernsof dog breeds. Also, check with your vet if you arent sure youre feeding your dog the right amount. Tails are straight, screw/curled, gay, saber, taper, whip, plum, otter, brush, sickle, snap, carrot, and tuft. Understanding And Preventing Boredom In Dogs. For the UK kennel Clubs, please follow this link: For the American Kennel Club, please follow this link: For the Canadian Kennel Club, please follow this link: For the Australian National Kennel Council, please follow this link: For the New Zealand Kennel Club please follow this link: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Malignant tumors of the tail include soft tissue sarcoma, sebaceous gland tumors, and mast cell tumors. From the pictures, the Labs of fburke and MyLabsMom have significant "field line" heritages. So this could be a sign that your Labrador may have traces of another breeds genetics. If a labrador has curly hair this is due to a genetic anomaly, malnutrition, being a curly-coated retriever, a close relative to the breed, or a mixed breed. Therefore, Labrador tails should not be docked or their natural length altered; otherwise, this is a disqualification. I guess the best way is to enter into a dog show and have him / her judged. Much like knock knees appear in humans. It is often referred to as a "toller". Purebred Labradors' tails are not curly. Does he lack something in his diet? Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall. Purebred Labradors tails are not curly. They can still be purebred labs, though would be disqualified if showing and you would be strongly discouraged from breeding in order to not pass on the fault to his young. Flat-Coated Retriever The vertebrae in your tailbone are much like any other bone in your body; they can break. The tail of a lab should be straight, thick, of medium length, and gradually tapering towards the tip. The traditional tail of a purebred Labrador retriever is thick, and it tapers towards the end. So, its important that you choose one based on your current circumstances. How Long To Train A Guide Dog For The Blind? Originally St Johns worked alongside fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada. The physical trait of curling is due to a deviation in the spine where the vertebrae are wedged-shaped, which causes the tail to curl when held naturally because it is a bone and cartilage appendage of the spine. This can come about through Labradors breeding with other dogs with curly tails as a standard breed characteristic. They were recognised as an official breed by the English Kennel Club in 1903, and the AKC in 1917. The breed standard is an ideal for showing, and a blueprint to adhere to in order to keep the breed true and matching a predetermined form and look. Diluted colors are also known in the Labrador, but are not standard. There has been a generational transmission of this issue. Neither long and elongated, or short and stubby, it is in proportion to the strong yet agile looking body. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.. Another difference between these two breeds can be their price as puppies. These features include a Labrador with too short a tail, a long, thin tail, or a tail that curls over the back. Although first created in 1955, the Labradoodle was made popular in the 1980s. So, they are both better suited to active families. Purebred labs will have short, straight hair. The tail is relatively thick at its base and gradually thins out as it moves toward the tip. There are three main methods you can use to determine if your dog is a purebred Lab. Some of The dogs which do have curled tails are the Akita, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Norwegian buhund, Shiba Inu, Finnish spitz, basenji, along with pug. Also, given it requires Spine surgery, the risk is always included and that too on a high level. A curly tail does not mean that your German Shepherd isn't a purebred dog. They will weigh somewhere between 55 and 80 pounds when fully grown. My Honest Review: Doggy Dan's Online Dog Training, How To Know Your Labrador Loves And Adores You. These discolorations can be white, brown, and many other colors. When a dogs tail is carried higher than is considered acceptable by the breed standard, it is said to have a happy tail or a gay tail. The point where the tail attaches to the body may be slightly higher than the rest of the body. This higher cost may be because Curly Coated Retrievers are less common than Labradors. Chocolate Lab Personality and Temperament. Limber tail is often the result of muscle sprain from activities like swimming. Purebred Labradors' tails are not curly. As a retriever breed, you may find that Curlies also explore the world with their mouths. There is a common misconception that Chocolate Labradors are less intelligent, but this is not true. In fact in the show ring if a lab shows any aggression or shyness its heavily marked down as not being a trait of the breed. Labs tend to grow between 21.5 and 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder as adults. Curly tails will be a result of genetics. The head is noble there's that word again strong but not coarse, and should have a distinct masculine or feminine appearance based on the animal's gender. So with your context in mind, here are my opinions: 1. a permanently curled tail like a husky would not be a lab. Purebred Lab puppies can be very expensive to buy, especially if their parents have a good show or competition pedigree. Haven't seen a lab with curly hair, but saw a beautiful "curly-coated retriever" at the dog park the other day. They love to explore the world with their mouth but this means they may chew on things they shouldnt! But it wasnt until the 1930s that the Labrador Retriever started to become really popular in America. Nevertheless, there are Labradors whose tails deviate from this standard in a variety of ways, including being shorter, longer, or thinner than typical. I actually used this test on my dog. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a large-breed dog with the heart to match. Purebred labradors can have white spots or other color variations that are perfectly normal. Intelligence, kindness and willingness to please is hard to judge in the ring, but breeders especially should take note of this requirement. When the Labrador you purchased or adopted from a certified/ registered breeder under the correct procedure, you have all rights to get a purebred or full-blooded one. For my descriptions below, I shall quote the original UK Kennel Club breed standard with additions from some other standards where I feel it aids the description. Any variance greater than inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. I recently got a lab puppy. Instead, it is more likely that a Labrador is a mix-breed and therefore has a curly tail. Temperament: Intelligent, High energy, Easily trained 3. English nobles brought these hard working dogs back to England in the 1800s and worked on standardizing the Labrador breed. Yellows range from light cream to red fox. Labs are thick and flattering dogs with the same amount of hair all across their body. Again, this ties in with the strong and athletic build of the breed, requiring a good strong neck in balance with the body and strong enough for the dog to carry game it has retrieved with ease. Both take to training well, and are approximately the same size. It wouldlikely be a breach of contractas the agreement was that the seller was supposed to supply a purebred dog breed as agreed upon. With breeds like labs and pit bulls, there are so many variations and mixes that, without papers, your likely dealing with imperfect physical breed characteristics pure bred or not. 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May have been born can purebred labs have curly tails little or no hair ; in most cases, calves will a! Sebaceous gland tumors, and mast cell tumors must be agile and.!