Pug is one of the most popular dogs that has ever existed. Popular but yet, distinct, they have special characteristics that make them different from other dog breeds.

They have a flat and smushy face, a black and big eyeball, and to crown it all, a very unique tail shape.

Unlike man who can express their feelings or moods by communicating with their mouth, a pug’s tail helps them communicate and express their moods.

The ideal condition of your pug’s tail is to be curled upward. But what if the tail is suddenly down? what can be the reasons and is it anything to be worried about?

In this article, we have revealed everything you need to know about Pug’s tail.

The Pug’s Tail 

Pug has a unique tail shape; their tail is curled upward and slightly raised above their hip. This is because their tailbone is asymmetrically arranged, making them look like wedging cone-shaped spines together.

What causes a pug’s tail to be down?

The tail of pugs is ideally referred to as a “cock screwed tail” or a “screw tail”, this means they are supposed to be curled upward at all times.

According to the breed standards by the Dog Australia “The tail of pug is curled as firmly as possible over the hip”.

However, certain reasons can make the pug’s tail uncurl or straighten. Below are some of the reasons:

Age

The tail curling is a gift that comes with maturity. During puppyhood, your pug’s tail is not likely to curl but as time goes on. At least, 2 months after birth, you should be noticing signs of a curled tail in your pug.

If your pug’s tail refuses to curl up, it might be a sign of an underlying health issue or injury. In this case, it is best to consult with a veterinarian. They can assess your Pug’s overall health and address any specific concerns related to its tail.

Old age can also make a pug’s tail uncurled. When a pug gets old, the tail muscles become weaker, leading to the uncurling of the tail.

Sign of Disease or Health issue

Some health-related issues can occur and make your pug’s tail straighten or uncurl. One of these health issues include an enlarged anal gland.

When the size of your dog’s anal gland is increasing, it can lead to pain and discomfort in their tail region, this will make them straighten their tail or uncurl it. When you notice this in your dog, you should take your dog to your vet immediately for medical attention.

Your Dog is Asleep

When your dog is asleep or resting, during this period, the muscles in their body will be relaxed including the tail muscles, this will make the tail straighten or uncurl, it is normal, and you don’t need to be worried about it.

Tail Injury

Your pug’s tail can be injured physically; this can be a result of improper handling or excessive exercise.

This is why you should teach all members of your family how to play with dogs without hurting them.

Kids are fond of dragging a dog’s tail, they might see it as a play, but this is bad and can lead to injury in the dog.

Unfavorable weather condition

Your pug’s tail can become limbered during winter or cold season, this condition is explained by the scientists, and they said it occurs due to the stoppage of blood flowing to the tail region thereby making the tail muscles stiff.

When the tail muscle is stiff, your pug’s tail will also be straightened or uncurled.

Rigorous Exercise or Physical Activities

When you make your dog participate in rigorous exercises or demanding physical activities, their tail might become straightened or fall due to tiredness.

You don’t need to worry when this happens because the tail will go back to its normal state when your pug regains his strength.

What does it mean when a pug’s tail is down?

Your Pug’s tail being down or straightened doesn’t mean a specific thing, it can be caused as a result of an underlying health issue, tail injury, tiredness, or even harsh weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pug’s Tail

There are a lot of questions people tend to ask frequently concerning Pugs and their tails. Some of these questions include:

Why Do Pugs Curl their tail?

Pugs tail curls naturally. However, some certain reasons can lead to the uncurling or straightening of your pug’s tail, some of these reasons include sickness, health issues, anxiety, and fear.

What other breeds have curly tails?

Apart from pugs, other dog breeds have naturally curled tails, and they include:

• Chow Chow
• Akita Inu
• Shiba Inu
• Pomeranian
• Keeshond
• Samoyed
• Norwegian Buhund

Do Pugs like their tail being touched?

No, pugs do not like their tail being touched. Pug’s tail is highly sensitive and it is embedded with a lot of pain receptors which helps them to react fast to pain.

Pulling or touching their tail can be painful to them and this can make them aggressive.

Conclusion

I believe by now; this article has provided the answer to this question “What does it mean when a pug’s tail is down?”. Once again, your pug’s tail might be straightened or down due to reasons such as tail injury, age, anxiety and fear, and excessive cold.

If you find out that your pug’s tail is straight, and he is not wagging it as he used to do. You should try to take it to the vet immediately for proper care.

Before you go, you can also read: Do Dalmatians Shed A lot?