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[ChillinChinchillas]

I got a beautiful TOV Violet Female today and she has the oddest tail. It is completely curly, somewhat like a pig tail. It is adorable. Does anyone else have chins with curly tails? Is this something that the kits might get, as well? It is so cute!

[Abby W.]

Yes, most of my chins have curly tails.  They are a sign of good health.

[ChillinChinchillas]

Most of my chins tail curl, but they don't curl as tight as a coil.

[KCchins]

A curly tail is a genetic trait.  The offspring may very well have curly tails.  Curly tails are not desirable on the show table because they often rest upon the fur and cause fur damage. 

[ChillinChinchillas]

Yes, I have noticed this. I have a hard time finding chins down here. I am hoping I did not over pay for her! She was a bit expensive!

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Yes, most of my chins have curly tails.  They are a sign of good health.

A genetic defect, and can rub the fur as is curls up along side the butt, not good.
I have never heard that it's a sign of good health at all Abby, where did you get that from?
May look cute but most breeders would not breed a chin with a curly tail.
They ussually end up in the pet shop for pet only chins.

[mikasauntie]

ok, I'm confused now...sometimes Ari's tail is curled up and sometimes its just hanging out there way behind her.  Is this curly tail you're all talking about ALWAYS curly?

It is awfully cute when its curled up. 

[Abby W.]

My vet told me that a curly tail is a sign of good health.  I am not sure why exactly....

[ChillinChinchillas]

Then I definitly over paid. Do you think I could pair her with a high quality standard male to maybe produce a good breeder?

[Leslie]

Are they called corkscrew tails?  I have a chin with one and yes it's cute, but he is definitely not good quality.  A super good pet though!

[ChillinChinchillas]

I had never seen it before, so I didn't think anything of it. I saw on her pedigree where there were no visible standards on it. For that reason, I wasn't going to breed her with anything other than standard. Everything else about her is great. Her fur quality is good (especially for so many mutations in the line). She is large and blocky. The only thing is the tail. She has such beautiful genes that I thought pairing her with a high quality standard male would improve the quality of the kits. Of course I do understand that when breeding, we don't want to pass on ANY undesireable traits. I just hate that I spent the amount I did for a chinchilla with the genes I wanted, but apparently has a slight deformity. Of course she is still a great pet.

[Leslie]

It's strange, the things considered "deformities"....... it's a good thing chinchillas can't understand English or they'd have a lot of self-worth issues    Did someone somewhere along the line decide that wasn't a good trait because it wasn't common?  I suppose ruffling the fur up is what did it.  Oh well.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Yes it can damage the pelt and not good for sale.
I believe it to be a pinched nerve or some small spinal problem.
I have a neighbour that had a female with a curly tail, and one day she got stuck between the wall and bed leg.
She was having problems moving her legs after they got her out and took her to the vet.
Exrays showed no breaks and the vet figured she's stained, tore, or pulled muscles trying to get free and should be ok in a few days.
She was, but her really cork screwed tail staightened out. Been straight ever sence.
And they named her Piglet because of the tail, now they have to explain the name, where as before it was very obvious.
There is a thread were Jo ann spoke about it too.
I would not breed a curly tailed chin just incase it was a genetic defect that could be passed on.
It may look cute but how do we know it's not causing them some discomfort, or it could be an injury during birth.
To may unanswered questions to risk it for me.

[ChillinChinchillas]

It is a corkscrew, but I have noticed that when she is laying on her side, her tail is straightened out. I thought it was her cagemate from across the room due to the straight tail. When I started talking in my chinnie voice (my variation of baby talk) she popped right up and curled her little tail up. So I know it isn't stuck like that.

[Abby W.]

OK, I misunderstood what you were describing.  My chins have tails that curl up, but not the corkscrew shape.  Mine all sit curled over kind of like an akita dog's tail does, only of course a chin's tail is lower on its body.  I have never had a problem with their tails messing up their fur though.  Is this really a common problem?  I have also not noticed the curly tailed chins uncurling their tails, so I am not sure what the deal is now.  Is any curl a problem?  Or is some curl ok?