Chihuahua Tail Complete Guide (With Pictures)

It may be one of the most expressive parts of our dogs! The Chihuahua tail can say so much about our four-legged friends. Whether it’s ferociously wagging or tucked between their legs their tail has a story to tell us.

If you have wondered what your Chihuahua is trying to communicate with you or how your chis tail compares to others you have come to the right place. I’ve talked to owners and vets and done all the research for you.

A Chihuahuas tail is moderately long about 3-9 inches and is a continuation of their spine. The shape of the tail is a sickle either up or out, some Chihuahuas have a slight curl to their tail. Their tail may loop over the back with the tip just touching the back.

In this article, you will find information about some of the most pressing issues or questions you may have about your Chihuahuas tail, what they should look like what to do if you expect a problem, how to groom, and why some Chihuahuas are born with a stub tail or no tail at all.

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What Does A Chihuahua Tail Look Like

Typically a Chihuahuas tail will be somewhat long compared to its body. It will be thicker at the part where it begins to extend from its hindquarters and then slowly taper to a point. Their tail will most likely be in the shape of a sickle or have a small curl.

Do Chihuahuas get their tails docked?

Tail Docking or bobbing is the removal of portions of a dog’s tail. Historically tail docking was done to prevent injury for working dogs.

Chihuahuas are not a breed that traditionally gets their tails docked. A chihuahua’s tail is left to grow naturally and long unless there is a medical reason to have it docked.

Some ChiPoos (Poodle Chihuahua mix) breeders will dock the puppies’ tails if they are following the AKC breed standard for the poodle. There is no reason they should get their tails docked and most owners prefer that they do not have docked tails.

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ChiPoos are a mix between a Poodle and a Chihuahua they are bred to be companion lap dogs. Traditionally the standard was to dock tails of working breed dogs to protect them from injuring their tails in the line of work.

Tails are such an important part of how these sweet little dogs communicate with us there is no reason they should ever get their tails docked.

Can Chihuahuas be born without a tail?

It is possible for Chihuahuas to be born without a tail. This would most likely be caused by any number of birth defects. If the puppy was part of a large litter it may have gotten kinked during utero or not formed properly.

Some dogs who are new mothers may accidentally chew off their puppy’s tail when cleaning and grooming them.

If your Chihuahua does not have a tail it most likely will not cause any lasting damage or problems.

If the tail is missing because of a genetic mutation (not the one discussed below) then they may be at a higher risk for malformation of their hindquarters. This will most likely be slight and shouldn’t cause any problems.

If you are worried about it, it is always a good idea to talk to your vet.

Why does my chihuahua have a bob tail?

Chihuahuas may be born with a ‘bob tail’ or short tail. This is caused by a genetic mutation. There is a gene known as Brachyury mutation and if your dog gets one or two copies of this gene from its parents it will have a short tail. This means that if either of your dog’s parents has a bobtail, the litter of puppies are likely to get it too.

It is possible that a dog with a short tail may also have a regular gene and so your puppy does have a chance to get a normal length tail.

Do Chihuahuas have curled tails

Chihuahuas can have either straight or curly tails. Most Chihuahuas who have any curl at all will only have a slight curl. If your Chihuahua has a very curly tail it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not purebred.

There are many Chihuahua owners who have dogs with curly tails and they are purebred Chihuahuas.

Genetics of the mother and father play a big role in how your Chis tail will look.

There is a slightly higher chance that if your dog has a very curly tail that it could be mixed with another breed.

Some breeds that have curly tails that may be mixed with your Chihuahua are a Pomeranian, a Pug, or a Chow Chow.

Some Chihuahua owners have noticed that their Chi’s tail curls more than normal and almost looks like a pig’s curly tail. If this is the case for your dog don’t panic, it shouldn’t cause any problems, but you may want to check with your vet at their next appointment to be sure.

As a Chihuahua’s tail is an extension of its spine the posture of your Chis tail can give you some clues into your dog’s spine health.

If you notice that your dog is sitting with its back end slightly sideways and the tail looks to be off to one side it could mean that their spine is out of alignment and it would be best to get him an adjustment.

It would also be recommended that you don’t breed your Chihuahua as this flaw can be passed down to the puppies and become more problematic for each generation going forward.

The one issue some owners have with their Chihuahua’s curly tail if they have a long-haired Chi is that it can make grooming more difficult. Having a curly tail can cause more matting at the base of the tail.

Chihuahua Tail Wagging and Communication

Chihuahuas wag their tails for many different reasons. It’s a big part of how they communicate with you. Wagging their tail doesn’t always mean they are happy. They could be conveying other emotions like nervousness or fear as well.

The key to understanding their tail wags is to put it together with all the other contextual clues they are giving you. What are their ears doing, their eyes, how is their posture? Noticing these things as well will help you know why your Chihuahua is wagging its tail.

For more fun articles about how your Chihuahua communicates with you check out these links.

Why Does My Chihuahua Stare at Me? (6 Reason Why?)

Do Chihuahua’s Whine A lot? (Complete Guide to Chihuahua Whining)

Here are some things your Chihuahua could be communicating to you with its tail.

Calm and chill – Tail in the natural resting position. Sleeping or resting or casually walking around.
Greeting or I love you – Usually, a big carefree wag, accompanied by eye contact, coming to you and jumping on you or trying to get your attention.
Curious or unsure – Backwards and gentle wagging. Maybe sniffing around a little, intense and curious staring. Looking to you for reassurance.
I’m nervous or scared – The tail between their legs and possibly slightly moving. Body tense, eyes down, ears laid back. Could also be trying to communicate a submissive position.
Aggression – Tail high in the air and rigid. Poised, rigid, and making eye contact. Could be barking or growling as well
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Happy and Excited – Fast care free wagging. Wiggling body, happy facial expressions. Body not tense, possibly going in circles around the object causing excitement such as a treat or toy.

A dogs tail is part of language , it tells joy , happiness, uncertainty, fear more happiness
Barbara G

There’s also been a study done that shows the direction that your dog wags its tail can show positive or negative emotion. Wagging their tail towards the right side of their body can indicate more positive emotions such as relaxed, and happy. Wagging their tails on the left side of their body is a sign of more negative emotions such as nervousness or fear.

For most Chihuahuas wagging their tails to communicate is a natural and normal thing for them to do.

Occasionally you will find a Chihuahua that doesn’t wag its tail at all. Don’t worry, you are not alone. If your Chi doesn’t wag its tail it’s most likely just part of its personality or genes. It could also be that they have an extra curly tail that makes it more difficult for them to wag, but it could also indicate a medical problem and they should be seen by your vet to rule out any serious issues.

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If your Chihuahua has recently stopped wagging its tail then there could be other factors involved. If you have just moved, or they are new to your home this could just mean they are nervous and need some time to get acclimated to their new environment.

Some dogs are bigger tail-waggers than others. If your Chihuahua doesn’t wag their tail at all then you will have to learn to identify other body language cues to help you understand what they are trying to tell you.

How to Groom / Trim Long Hair Chihuahua Tails

Most of the time a long-haired Chihuahua’s tail is left full and uncut. Part of their charm is the gorgeous plume flowing from their rear end. This does require daily or at the least bi-weekly brushing.

This Brush is the best one I have found and works really well for keeping the mats out of their long feathery hair. If your Chi does get mats in their tail it may be necessary to trim the tail, or possibly thin it out a little bit.

Another option for dogs who tend to get mats in their tails or for owners who like a little less maintenance is to cut/style your long-hair Chihuahua tail in what is called a bottle brush cut. It looks just like it sounds, the entire tail hair is trimmed to be only about 2-3 inches long and so it sticks out looking like a bottle brush.

Chihuahua Tail Problems and What to Do.

If your Chihuahua is temporarily holding its tail in the down position it’s most likely an indication of submission or fear, but if your Chihuahua is unable to hold its tail upright as it has in the past or seems to be in pain it could indicate one of the following; limber tail, Patellar Luxation, IVDD (Intervertebral disk disease), or swollen anal glands.

Here is a list of other things that Chihuahua owners have said cause tail issues in their dogs. We will go into more detail below.

Swollen Anal Glands
Bent or Broken Tail
IVDD (Intervertebral disk disease)
Patellar Luxation
Tail Tip Necrosis
Limber Tail (Swimmers Tail)
Constipated

Swollen Anal Glands in a Chihuahua

If you notice your Chihuahua chasing its tail a lot more than usual, scooting its bum across the carpet, or biting/licking around the base of its tail it could be that its anal glands are blocked and swollen.

Sometimes the solution to your dog’s tail problem is as simple as getting your dog’s anal glands expressed. You can have your vet do it, or learn to do it yourself.

If you notice any blood, redness, or swelling around the anus you need to take your dog to the vet ASAP! Excessive itching, scratching and swelling can cause trauma to the area or increase the chances of infection.

Bent or Broken Tail in Chihuahuas

Another reason your dog may have for holding its tail down, curled or tucked under between its legs is a bent or broken tail.

Signs of a broken or sprained tail

Swelling
Bend or kink in the tail
Difficulty or pain moving the tail
Wagging it to one side
Holding it in an unusual position

If your dog seems to be in any pain or is licking or biting at its tail more than usual that can be an indication that something isn’t right.

Broken or strained tails are usually caused by a traumatic injury such as being stepped on or slammed in a door.

It can be extremely painful to your dog and needs to have immediate attention from a vet. Minor injuries will most likely heal with rest and immobility. More serious injuries may require surgery or amputation.

If your dog has always had a bend in its tail and it doesn’t seem to be in any pain then this is probably an indication that at some point in its past it may have broken or strained its tail.

Unfortunately, A lot of owners who have adopted rescues have seen this in their sweet Chihuahuas.

IVDD in Chihuahuas

Another somewhat serious problem that can cause tail discomfort in Chihuahuas is a back issue known as IVDD. The technical term for this is Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) it can also be described as a ruptured, slipped, bulging or herniated disk in your dog’s neck or back.

This type of back issue is fairly common in smaller dogs like Chihuahuas. Quite a few owners that I talked with have had this issue with their dogs. Some have been able to help their dog feel better with resting and medication, some have had to get their Chi’s operated on.

Here is a good resource to look at if you feel like this might be your Chi’s problem.

Chihuahua Patellar Luxation

If your Chihuahua is constantly Holding his tail down or it seems to be in a down position more often than the normal resting position this could indicate a problem called Luxating Patella.

This really is just a fancy way to stay a misplaced knee cap. Besides the tail, another indication this may be the problem is if you notice your dog stretching out their rear limbs and walking in circles, or possible yelping or whining in pain.

Luxated Patella is a common problem for small breeds and often will self-correct after a few days of rest and stretching.

If it seems to be causing your dog a lot of pain or the problem is not going away it’s best to take your dog to the vet. They will assess the situation and if this is a recurring problem for your dog may recommend surgery to fix the problem. If surgery is performed it should be a permanent fix for your dog.

Chihuahua Tail Infection (Tail Tip Necrosis)

This is a very serious problem, but thankfully very rare in Chihuahuas. It can be important though that you learn to identify it right away so the issue can be dealt with before it causes permanent damage.

This can be caused by the constant beating of the tail against objects that may harbor bacteria. If the tail gets an open wound and the bacteria gets in it can lead to an infection that will spread and cause the tissue to become damaged or start dying.

Watch for hair loss or baldness at the end of the tail. Excessive itching, bloody or brittle skin, foul-smelling, excessive biting or the tail.

Take your dog to the vet right away if you notice any of these things in your dog. The vet will assess and most likely have to amputate the infected part of the tail. This may be a very sad thing to have to deal with, but if the infection spreads it could endanger your dog’s life.

What is Limber (Swimmers) Tail In Chihuahuas and What to Do

If you notice your Chihuahuas tail hanging down and it looks limp and unnatural then he may have a condition known as Limber Tail.

Limber tail Also known as swimmer’s tail, frozen tail, dead tail, broken wag, or cold tail is a condition that causes your dog to hold his tail limp and down instead of the usual upright position. Its official name is Acute Caudal Myopathy.

It is most likely to happen after your dog has had very active or strenuous play, exercise, or excessive tail wagging. Sometimes a lot of swimming can cause it, being in cold wet weather, if they are confined to their crate too long, or if your dog’s tail is wagging and getting whacked on various surfaces.

This could cause your dog pain and swelling in their tail, making it difficult to sit. Usually, this condition will go away on its own after a few days of rest. It’s important to try and limit exercise and movement if you notice that your dog is experiencing this problem. If it is causing your dog a lot of pain then consulting your vet is a good idea.

Usually, this isn’t a chronic problem, but it is a good idea to figure out what may have triggered it in the first place and try to avoid that activity if possible. Coldwater play, or being confined in a crate too long are often things that could trigger this condition.

Chihuahua Chasing its Tail or Biting its Tail

For the most part, if your Chihuahua is chasing its tail it’s most likely just a harmless and adorable game. Puppies tend to do this a lot because they are so playful and exploring more about their world while discovering their fun long tails. If your dog is chasing his tail it might be because he’s bored or it’s just a fun game for him.

The problem comes when your dog is obsessively chasing its tail and it seems like they are in pain stressed or biting its tail and causing things like bleeding, or hair loss.

If this is the case then rightfully you are probably concerned.

The cause for this could be one of several things. Here are the things that you can look for.

Impacted anal glands.
Parasites like fleas or ticks in the tail.
Injury or sharp pain somewhere on the tail.
Allergies or itchy skin.

How to Keep Poop From Sticking to your Long Hair Chihuahua’s Butt

This can be a common smelly problem for long hair dogs. If it happens often and doesn’t get taken care of it can also lead to serious health issues as well.

Here are some tips to keep your fur baby’s fluffy rear end clean.

Keep the hair near their rear clean and trimmed.
Keep wipes handy to clean it out right away.
Add more fiber to your dogs diet.
Check for infections or parasites such as worms