If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, you may have considered a Goldendoodle. This popular breed is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle and is known for being gentle, intelligent, and trainable.
One of the most distinctive features is the tail. In this article, we are going to jump into the different Goldendoodle tails, how you can style their tails and how your furry friend uses their tail to tell you how they feel.
Table of Contents
- 1 The Goldendoodle Tail
- 2 Where Is A Goldendoodles Tail Inherited From?
- 3 Types Of Goldendoodle Tails
- 4 Styles Of Goldendoodle Tail Cuts
- 5 Tail Docking
- 6 Body Language Cues From Your Dog’s Tail
- 7 Grooming A Goldendoodle’s Tail
- 8 Goldendoodle Tail Problems
- 9 FAQs
- 10 Are Goldendoodles’ tails docked?
- 11 In Conclusion
The Goldendoodle Tail
Do doodles’ tails curl? Yes, most Goldendoodles have tails that curl tightly over their backs, which can give them a playful and friendly appearance. Some Goldendoodles may have less curly tails, but they will still typically be longer than average and are rarely straight.
Tails help dogs balance and function in sports or other activities. They use their tail to maintain balance when they are in the water.
Goldendoodles are great swimmers, and the tail helps them stay afloat and steer in the water.
The long, fluffy tail of the Goldendoodle is one of the breed’s most endearing qualities. If you’re looking for a dog with a tail that’s sure to make everyone smile, the Goldendoodle is a great choice.
What should a Goldendoodle tail look like?
When a doggo’s tail is upright, the tip of the tail should be the same height as the top of the dog’s head. A Goldendoodle tail should be long and wavy, with a slight curl at the end. It should be free of knots or tangles, and the hair should be evenly distributed across the tail. The tail should be brushable and able to be styled in a variety of ways.
Where Is A Goldendoodles Tail Inherited From?
Goldendoodles have long fluffy tails because of the parent dog breeds. They are the offspring of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, two dogs that have long hair.
The tails are different depending on which of the two parent breeds the pup is more like.
If your Goldendoodle has a very curly tail, there’s a very good chance they got it primarily from the Poodle parent since Golden Retriever tails aren’t that curly.
Curly tails for Golden Retrievers are discouraged because it’s not part of their breeding.
Dogs have different DNA than humans, which is why they look and behave differently than we do. When two dogs mate, their DNA is combined to create a new individual.
The DNA from each parent can influence the appearance and behavior of the offspring in different ways. For example, one parent might contribute genes for a long tail, while the other parent contributes genes for a short tail. If both parents have genes for long tails, then the offspring is likely to have a long tail as well.
Types Of Goldendoodle Tails
There are three types of tails based on the fur or hair on the tail: straight, curled, and wavy. Each type of tail has its own unique look that can add to the dog’s overall appearance.
Straight Goldendoodle tail
Straight tails are the most common type of tails seen on Goldendoodles. This type of tail fur is characterized by being relatively straight with little to no curl or wave.
Straight tails are often considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing because of their clean lines and uniformity.
Straight tails don’t require much grooming and maintenance
Curled Goldendoodle tail
Curled tails are less common than straight tails, but they are still a popular option for many Goldendoodle owners.
Curled tails have a loose curl or wave throughout the length of the hair on the tail. This type of tail can add a bit of personality and flair to your dog’s appearance.
Wavy Goldendoodle tail
Wavy tails are the least common type of tails seen on Goldendoodles.
This type of tail is characterized by having a moderate amount of curl or wave throughout hair on the length of the tail. Wavy tails can add a playful and fun element to your dog’s appearance.
Styles Of Goldendoodle Tail Cuts
Goldendoodles typically have four different types of tail styles. Let’s take a look at the different Doodle tail styles. These include full-plumed, shaved, thinned short feathered tails, pom tails, lion cuts, or flag tails.
Plumed tails
A Plume tail is when the hair of a dog flows over the back and requires a lot of maintenance.
Shaved tail
There are a few different ways to shave the tail of a Goldendoodle dog.
Those who want their dogs to appear more like Golden Retrievers or Poodles may want to leave some hair on the end, called a ‘tipped’ tail.
Thinned Short-Feathered Tails
This is when Goldendoodle tails are thinned out, so the hair becomes shorter and less full.
Full-plumed tail
The most common tail style for Golden Doodles is the full-plumed tail or otherwise known as the plume tail. It’s when all of the hair on the tail is kept long and flowing. This style will require regular maintenance and brushing to prevent tangles.
Pom tail
With a pom-tail style, the tail is shaven into a pom-pom with furry tips. The Doodles usually like this type of style, and it’s low maintenance which is a plus for any dog owner.
Flag tail
The flag tail is a hallmark feature of the Goldendoodle. This type of tail is long and tapering, and it is often held high when the dog is excited or alert.
The flag tail is an easy way to identify a Goldendoodle, and it is one of the breed’s most distinguishing features.
Tail Docking
A Doodle tail can grow, on average, to about 12-14 inches. Goldendoodle’s tails are usually cropped at 4-6 weeks old. The tail can be either cropped, docked, or left natural.
At barksinthepark.co, we recommend leaving the tail natural because a Goldendoodle’s tail is an extremely important part of body language.
There are, however, people that choose to dock their Goldendoodle’s tail for a variety of reasons, although tail-docking is considered cruel.
The American Veterinary Medical Association is strongly against both docking and cropping.
Some dog owners believe docking makes the dog look more aesthetically pleasing, while others think it may help with the dog’s hygiene or reduce the risk of injury.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to know that docking a tail is a surgical procedure that should only be performed by a qualified veterinarian.
It’s also important to note that not all countries allow a docked tail, so be sure to check your local laws before proceeding.
If you don’t know if you want to dock your dog’s tail, then speak with your breeder or your local veterinarian.
They will help you make the best decision for your dog. Always leave enough time to let your dog heal before bringing them to any social gatherings if you decide that docked tails are the way to go.
Body Language Cues From Your Dog’s Tail
When it comes to understanding your dog, paying attention to its tail can be very helpful.
How they carry and move their tail can give you some great insight into how they feel.
First, it’s important to know that your dog’s tail is full of nerve endings and is very sensitive. This means that your dog can feel a wide range of emotions through their tail.
Here are some common cues that your dog’s tail may be trying to communicate to you.
Happy and content
A relaxed, loose tail that is wagging back and forth is a good sign that your dog is happy and feeling good. This is the most common type of tail wag and is usually nothing to worry about – in fact, it means your dog is completely content and excited to be alive.
Goldendoodles are known for their tail wagging. This is a trait that they inherit from their Retriever parents.
Their tail wags are a way of communicating happiness and excitement. When you see a Goldendoodle wagging its tail, it’s likely that they’re happy to see you.
Nervous or scared
If your dog’s tail is held low and close to its body, it usually means they are feeling nervous or scared. This may be due to something as innocuous as meeting a new person or animal, or it could be a sign that they are in pain.
A tucked-under tail usually indicates fear or anxiety. This dog is likely feeling scared or threatened.
If you see your dog holding their tail like this, pay close attention to see if there are any other signs of distress.
Aggressive
A stiff, straight tail that is held high in the air is often a sign that your dog is feeling aggressive. They may also have their hackles (the hair on their back) raised. If you see your dog behaving this way, it is best to give them some space and avoid making any sudden movements.
Understanding your dog’s tail language is a great way to get insights into their overall mood and state of mind. Pay attention to their tails the next time you’re interacting with them, and you’ll soon start to read their body language like a pro!
Grooming A Goldendoodle’s Tail
The tail of your Goldendoodle plays such an important role in its overall health. You’ll need to brush it regularly and trim the hair around where its base lies. If you want to keep your Goldendoodle happy and healthy, make sure you take care of its tail.
To groom a Goldendoodle’s tail, start at the base of the tail and work your way up to the tip. Cut through fur from base to tip, so you don’t accidentally cut the dog. You should hold your scissors parallel to the dog’s fur so that you can get a clean cut without going too deep into the skin.
The best thing you can do to help your Goldendoodle avoid messes is to keep the tail trimmed so that it doesn’t get caught in things. You should also brush your Goldendoodle regularly to familiarize your dog with being handled.
Tail Mat
Goldendoodles have long, fluffy tails that can be prone to matting. To prevent this, it’s important to brush your pup’s tail regularly and to use a detangling spray or conditioner.
You may also want to consider trimming your pup’s tail to help keep it healthy and free of mats.
Goldendoodle Tail Problems
Cold tail, frozen tail, dead tail, swimmers tail, and broken wag are all the same name for a condition that causes a dog tail to go limp instead of the normal upright position. The medical name is Acute Caudal Myopathy.
What is it caused by? Extreme amounts of playing and tail wagging. This tail condition affects mostly large breeds.
The most common problem is known as happy tail or wagging tail syndrome. This is when the tail whacks against hard surfaces, causing bruising and even bleeding. In severe cases, it can even lead to nerve damage.
Another problem that can occur is called a kinked tail. This is when the tail curls up tightly, making it difficult for your dog to wag it. This can be caused by genetic factors, injuries, or even tumors.
Last but not least, there is something called a screw tail. This is when the tail grows in an abnormal way, causing it to twist and turn. This can be very painful for your dog and, if left untreated, could lead to permanent deformity.
If you notice any of these problems with your Goldendoodle’s tail, it’s important to take them to the vet right away. These problems can often be resolved with medication or surgery, but the sooner you catch them, the better.
FAQs
What should a Goldendoodle’s tail look like?
Most Goldendoodles’ tails curl tightly across their backs. However, some Goldendoodles have tails that closely resemble that of their Golden Retriever parents, meaning it is straighter and hangs low.
Why do people dock Poodle tails?
Docking the tail of a Poodle is purely for aesthetic purposes. The American Kennel Club does not allow docked tails as part of the Poodle breed standard.
Why is my Goldendoodle’s tail down?
If your pup’s tail is down instead of curled over the back, as usual, it could be a sign of pain or distress. Anal gland inflammation, prostate issues, or osteoarthritis could all be causes for your dog to keep its tail down to lessen any pain he might be feeling.
Can you trim a Goldendoodles tail?
Yes, you can trim a Goldendoodles tail if you need to. However, it’s important to be careful not to cut too much off, as this could cause pain or injury. If you’re unsure how to proceed, it’s best to seek professional help from a groomer or veterinarian.
Why does my Goldendoodles tail curl up?
There are a few reasons why your Goldendoodle’s tail may be curling up. One reason could be that they are cold and trying to keep warm. Another reason could be that they are excited or happy, and their tail is simply wagging faster than usual.
If your pups tail is consistently curled up, it may be a good idea to take them to the vet to rule out any health problems.
Are Goldendoodles’ tails docked?
The short answer is no. Goldendoodles do not have their tails docked. The practice of tail docking in dogs is actually quite controversial and has been banned in some countries. Whether or not you get your pets’ tails docked is a personal choice.
In Conclusion
Goldendoodles are known for being intelligent dogs. They are quick learners and can be easily trained to do tricks or obey commands. They are also known for being great companion dogs. They are friendly and social, and they love spending time with their families.
Dogs use their tail for communication and to express their feelings and emotions. Goldendoodle owners need to know the ways a tail can communicate so they can better understand their furry friend. This is why we feel it’s important your dog keeps its tail.
There is a lot of controversy about docking dogs’ tails, but as far as Goldendoodles are concerned, there is really no reason to have any Goldendoodle puppies get their tails docked.
If you haven’t yet got yourself a pup, our Toy Goldendoodle price guide is a good place to start to ensure you have the funds needed to raise a happy and healthy furry friend!