Hi All,

I’m currently searching for a miniature dachshund puppy and have found one for sale, but have a slight concern. It appears to have a bend in its tail, is this something to worry about? The breeder says I may straighten out, but Im not sure if this sounds right.

Does anyone have any experience or advice for this?

Thanks,
Mike.

This can happen when still inside the mother, it can get tight for room towards the whelp date. Unless you want to show then it shouldnt be a big problem depending how bad it is of course.

If you are planning to show or breed I’d avoid it but if it’s for a pet then I don’t see why not.  The tail is a continuation of the spine and dogs with kinks should be bred with as if future generations there can be problems with the spine.

Wasn’t planning to show or breed the dog, but concerned if this would cause health issues for itself at some point. Is it possible to upload photos to the forum? I have a couple

not directly it isn't.... no photos allowed, Also you would have to have permission from the owner of the dog if it isn't yours even if they were allowed!

A lot depends on where on the tail it is, and how bad it is now. I had a puppy a couple of years ago with a tail kink that was noticeable, but it wasn't huge. I kept the pup as I only had two bitches to choose from and I had promised the other to a friend, for showing. I kept thinking that when she grew and the fur was longer, it wouldn't be something anyone would notice. I'd had one similar pup many years earlier and unless you felt the tail, you'd never know once he was adult. This one however, hers became a LOT more noticeable as she grew. Doesn't help that she also carries her tail over her back (a fault in the breed) as with the strong kink, her tail makes her look like a scorpion. But it is in the third quarter of the tail so it's no problem for her - except obviously she cannot be shown, nor will I breed from her.

However, back when I was breeding pedigree cats, I once had a kitten with a strong kink near the base of the tail. My vet told me that I would need to tell the buyers of that kitten to be very careful, because if for instance they (or a vet) would hold the tail upright in order to take the temperature or empty anal glands etc, the location of it meant that if it was done too roughly, it could potentially damage the spine.

So in a nutshell, if you're wanting a pet, and the kink is in the middle or towards the tip of the tail, then it is only cosmectic and nothing to worry about.

My Golden Retriever was born with a kink in the middle of his tail so that it hangs down instead of straight He is three now and its never botherd him (or me). I do tell the vet if he needs his anal glands doing but  the vet knows us very well and it hasnt caused any probs then
And people still say "what a beautiful tail!" !!

Kinky tails are known in my main breed and to be honest, they rarely 'straighten'.  People have been known to splint the tails.  Depending on what you intend for this puppy (show/breeding would be out of the question) I'd have to be concerned because as said, the tail is an extension of the spine, and this breed is known for spinal problems (disc).   The puppy needs a home obviously, but it's for you to decide whether you can live with how the puppy is, or not.   There will be others!

I'd not be happy with what this breeder told you about this either!!

This post has made me ponder about how curly tails came about? 
Could they be kinks/traits deliberately bred for - in ancient breeds such as the Norwegian Elkhound and others like the Papillon? If I'm not mistaken, curled tails aren't seen in wild canine type animals (forgive my brevity and ignorance)

PS I'd also be a little concerned with a Daxie having a kink due to their back problems. Maybe check out as many of its relatives as possible - through a variety of methods : KC, Breed Clubs,

Are Pap tails actually curled, or just held over their back?

I remember seeing a pup being shown that had his tail down and was practically scuttling, not looking happy at all. At the point where dog and handler turned, the pup squatted and peed for what must have seemed like years to the poor embarrassed handler who could do nothing but stand and wait as the spectators chuckled. As soon as they moved again the pup looked like a different dog, with his tail up and a lovely little trot. ;)

Are Pap tails actually curled, or just held over their back?

Silver leaf - I'd say Humm   I don't know really, but generally held that way. As with my Elkhound, their tails were/are generally held in a curl/over the back but could/can also be held straight/lower.

I'm just thinking about how differences occur

Silver leaf 79
I adore the Papillon trot and anyone can get'caught short' anywhere anytime

> This post has made me ponder about how curly tails came about?  <br />Could they be kinks/traits deliberately bred for - in ancient breeds such as the Norwegian Elkhound and others like the Papillon? If I'm not mistaken,

Nope kinks are there from the start like with bulldogs, and it's a deformity, from minor to major.

Your spitz breeds are born with straight tails which gradually curl.

I suppose with dogs like pugs that have a tight curl, it’s essentially that the vertebrae in the tail are misshapen?

Thanks Barbara - I was thinking along the lines of curly/spitz tails being exaggerations that have been developed/bred for over the years/centuries & that a similar gene could also cause a kink in other breeds - many of which have only recently been undocked so their tails haven't been documented/standardised?

I don't want to distract from a possible health issue with this Daxie pup as I don't know anything about that.

A tail held curled over the back, is not the same as a kinked tail.

https://gordonsetterexpert.org/2015/01/23/the-kinked-tail/
Note, this is about the Gordon Setter.
Here is another
http://www.wienepedia.com/articles/kinks.php

My pom x chi carried her tail over her back no kinks just a straight tail .
It was like  her weather vane ! If she was happy and relaxed as she was most times it was curled over her back if stressed or unhappy it went  down or even between her legs. Much like the pap that silver leaf described.