Labs are thick and flattering dogs with the same amount of hair all across their body. These popular household dogs are loved worldwide and, therefore, often talked about. But do you know that by examining Labrador’s tail, you can guess a very crucial question? Well yes.
Labradors have thick and tapering tails with dense hair over them throughout. Individuals often confuse labs for curly tails since a lot of dogs have the same. But do you know, Labradors do not have a curly tail naturally, and if they have, the chances are that your four-legged companion is a mixed breed. A female Lab who was bred with another dog with a curly tail only can give birth to puppies with a curly tail. Otherwise, a purebred Labrador will always have an ‘Otter Tail’.
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Reasons Why Labradors Have A Curly Tail
According to the breed standards, a Labrador cannot have a curly tail. Instead, they have a naturally straight and thick tail that tapers gradually towards the tip. However, there have been several Labrador dogs who possess a curly tail, and the reasons could be:
- Either the Labrador is a mixed breed.
- Or, the Labrador is suffering from a rare congenital malformation of the spine, ‘Hemivertebra’.
If your Labrador is the victim of formation reason (mixed breed), you can take legal action. 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.
Though upon receiving a mixed breed dog, you can likely raise a breach of contract and show paper or agreement that justifies the advertisement or seller communication. Upon finding Labrador with curly tails, and if it is because of being a mixed breed, you can obtain certificates of pedigree to prove your point.
Hemivertebra: Is it Genetic?
At the same time, if your Labrador is a purebred but still has a curly tail, you must monitor it on the ground of medical disability. Labs suffering from Hemivertebra can grow their tail curly as and when time passes. They may have been born with a regular Otter tail, but it gradually became curly, given the medical consideration.
Hemivertebra can be genetic and a single that can be removed after performing surgery. The vet surgeon removes the deformed vertebra, and the vertebrae above and below are fused together. However, if it is present in the rest of the spine as well, the situation may become critical. Also, given it requires Spine surgery, the risk is always included and that too on a high level.
How Can You Tell A Pure Labrador?
While you are wondering whether a Labrador is purebred or not, three methods can help you determine the same, including
- Visual Assessment
- Pedigree Papers
- And a DNA test
A Visual assessment is basically the examination of physical features where you compare the dog with standard breed measures. The test will include if Lab’s coat is water-resistant, if it has an Otter tail (thick and sturdy), if it has an angular head with a moderately-sized muzzle, along with the dog’s eyes, leg size, coat color, and more. However, according to experts, a Visual assessment can’t be correct all the time, and therefore it isn’t enough to justify whether a Labrador is purebred or not.
Another method includes getting the Pedigree papers for the Labrador. While getting a Labrador from a certified breeder, always ask for a registration document with the names of both parents. Some breeder even provides buyers with a copy of the pedigree, which lists the ancestors of those parents.
When the breeder does not provide you with Pedigree papers, you can order these documents from the KC right after transferring the registered owner of the puppy under your name.
And the third, as well as the last method, is a DNA test. If you are still curious about your Labrador’s ancestors or parents, then you can get a DNA test carried out. To do so, either get a test kit, take a swab test and send it for analysis at the Lab. Or you can also visit a medical expert to get the DNA test done.
Can Purebred Labs Have Curly Tails?
Why Does My Purebred Lab Have A Curly Tail? Purebred Labradors cannot have curly tails since this physical feature fails the breed standards. However, if your Purebred Labrador has a curly tail or is developing one, the chances of him suffering from Hemivertebra are prominent. There is no other way than Hemivertebra that can make a purebred Labrador have a curly tail. However, since it is a rare congenital spinal malformation, get your dog’s tests done as soon as possible.
Do Lab Tails Curl Up?
No, unlike many other dog breeds, Lab tails don’t curl up or over their back. The ideal length of a Labrador’s tail, according to the breed standard, is extending no longer than the hock. It, though, curves up slightly right before the tail end but never curls up.
What Is Otter Tail In A Labrador?
Otter Tail in a Labrador refers to its thick tail due to the shape and manner in which Labs use it as a rudder during swimming. Otter, though, is an animal for Labradors; it is used to refer to the tail type these dogs have.
What Should A Labs Tail Look Like?
Labradors have medium-length, thick tails with an equal amount of hair all through. A Labs’ tail gives him a nice flowing and balanced line from the head to the tip of the tail.
And a Labrador tail can’t be of anyway since tails of different dog breeds are of their types because they serve a specific purpose. A Labrador’s tail help in swimming and maintaining balance while moving on land surfaces.
How Can I Tell What My Lab Is Mixed With?
To find what breed your Labrador is mixed with, determine his physical appearance and make. Dogs who are a result of mixed breeding get 50:50 or 75:25 per cent genetics of both their parent breeds.
And with that, the mixed breed dog will receive different characteristics and physical traits from their purebred parents, which helps identify the parent breeds quickly.
Besides the physical examination, a DNA test too can determine your Labrador’s parents and breed.
Wrapping up…
Labradors usually don’t have a curly tail, and therefore if your Lab has one, it is obvious to worry about. The chances of physical disability or medical concern, though, are very low in such cases. It is very less likely for Labradors to suffer from Hemivertebra and gain a curly tail. Instead, it is more likely that a Labrador is a mix-breed and therefore has a curly tail.
Labradors, according to breed standards, should have straight tails. To make sure you are not getting fooled while getting your Lab puppy, always ask for Pedigree papers and other registration documents during the purchasing deal.