Tail curl

Basenji Talk

  • Looking at all the different pics, I see most have the super tight curl to it. Mia's tail is only like a half curl, where it almost touches her back, but also when shes laying down or eating, it pretty much rolls back straight like any other dog. Is this normal? I know it's just a silly tail, I'm just curious :)


  • My girl Ruby has a tail that is a half curl, it just loosely flips over her back (she has some african in her). My boy Brando (from Finland) has a tight cinnamon bun tail :D. My 4mo pup Aaliyah (her dam is 1/4 african - I think, might be more - and she is Ruby's granddaughter so also has some african from Ruby) has a tail that is fully curled but not tightly…I've been told it might tighten more after she stops teething.


  • Fiji has a cinnamon bun tail; Bongo's is more of a question mark. At our B meet ups we see both, just varies from pup to pup.


  • Keep in mind that the 'correct' tail for function - regardless of the curl needs to be able to be unfurled. A tail with rigid unmoveable tail curl would not have been abel to be unfurled as the basenji dove through dense underbrush and the tail would have been broken and if it got stuck or infected - end of basenji in the wild.

    Mine typcally relax their tail if they are cold to ward their bottom, if they are at the vet's office or otherwise stressed, if they are terribly relaxed.


  • Also see some tail pictures on the other thread: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=5831

Suggested Topics

  • Naked tip of tail?

    Basenji Talk
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    16k Views
    eeeefarmE
    You need a "stand" command for more advanced obedience. Also, it is good to teach sit from standing and from down. Many (most?) dogs understand "sit" as an action, not a position, so they may know it from standing but don't have a clue when they are lying down. :)
  • Tail is getting thin?

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    2baroos2
    I hope so-looks pretty pitiful
  • Random question - left curl/right curl

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    P
    For years all my boys had tails to the left and the girls tails to the right but this has changed now and my current pack contains 2 female and 2 male lefts and 3 female and 1 male right. They will all hold their tails on the opposite sides but not for long.
  • Cropped tail?!?

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    nobarkusN
    @Patty: I too can't imagine why on earth anyone would crop a Basenji's tail! Perhaps the tail was damaged? I do know that the Liberian black and whites which have now been crossed with Central African Basenjis, occasionally had their tails cut by native Liberians to avoid monkeys grabbing them by their longer tails. This was some years ago and I don't know whether they are still kept for hunting in that country. Perhaps someone who knows modern day Liberia could say? That would make the only sense. I've seen videos of monkeys swinging down from trees and grabbing a tigers tail repeatedly. Also grabbing their ears. The monkeys were lucky as the tigers came really close to grabbing them for lunch. :D
  • Tail Chasing

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    jys1011J
    YES!! C3 does the same thing…I always feel guilty that maybe he's got more energy to burn so he chases his tail. If I'm REALLY feeling guilty I'll take him out for a quick run around the yard or a walk around the block :)
  • Bushy tail

    Basenji Talk
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    7k Views
    Capt_Jack_our_BasenjiC
    Jack has a pretty bushy tail year round. I love it, and cant make myself trim it. It goes well with his build. He seems to be a bit more muscle than most basenji's Ive seen in person and on the forum in pics and videos…Vet says hes not over weight, he has a muscular build, I love the way he looks, and i prefer the look of the bushy tail!! LOL