Hi everyone, I am potentially looking to buy a black lab puppy from a reputable breeder who has had a litter of 14 pups. The last puppy available has a slight kink in his tail (probably why he hasn't been chosen by anyone else) but is otherwise healthy. He walks and plays fine and no obvious signs at all of spina bifida or other major spinal issue. Breeder says he took puppy to vet to get checked out and was advised it is not uncommon in large little due to restricted space in womb. Others have told me will often just straighten out when they grow, but have done some searching online and found some people saying it is indication of other problems (e.g. heart disease/failure). Can anyone advise? Thanks, Hannah
Hi Hannah, welcome to the forum. I'm afraid I can't offer any words of wisdom about the kink - @Karen may have looked into it more as her puppy had a kinky tail; I don't know if he grew out of it, or if she has any more insights? For me, though, if I had any hesitations, I'm afraid I'd walk away. Or, at the very least, ensure that the contract with the breeder is such that she would take the puppy back or cover any medical costs incurred if it does turn out to be something serious. No, actually, I would definitely walk away. At this point, I wouldn't have bonded with the puppy, so wouldn't set myself up for the heartache if something came to light once I had bonded. But that's just me - you need to decide for yourself how you would feel, or be able to cope, if it was indicative of something sinister.
This has got me really worried now, because Maisy has a slight kink, it is not always obvious and I don't think was there as a small pup. Sometimes it is noticeable but she has been to the vets several times now and nothing has been said. When I read your post I felt her tail bone and it feels that the kink is where the bone is wider then starts getting thinner down the tail. If you are worried about it please do not take the pup and think you can return it if it is serious. I will be interested to see what others think about this.
Hi there, yes Merlin has a definite kink in his tail; there does not seem to be any other problem associated with this, although only time will tell really. I have had his tail examined numerous times and also x-rayed, and it seems fine... This kink did not appear until he was about 10-12 weeks old. If I'd noticed it before I got him, I wouldn't have chosen him - but obviously once we had had him for several weeks we were completely bonded and there was no question of returning him. I think, and so does the vet, that he damaged his tail playing or whacking it against a door or similar. If it were me - I have to say I'd choose a puppy with no obvious defects...
Thanks everyone for comments so far. It is really tricky because the breeder is very good, very well respected in the area, owns both the bitch and dog who are both health tested with great scores/results. The vet said common and not indicative of any other issues, just simply aesthetic and may grow out of it. Part of me agrees with not taking one with any obvious issue, but if it something so small (can't actually tell there is a kink without close inspection, if breeder hadn't told me I wouldn't have noticed myself) then it seems sad to turn the poor little guy away. On the other hand, I obviously don't want to take on a dog with issues.
If the vet said it wasn't a problem, I would have the puppy, can't see a reason for not. He can't help having a wonky tail and I would probably love him more because of it
Like @Stacia I wouldn't mind a pup with a slightly wonky tail. IF I was 100% that everything was OK. So, I would want to have some sort of clinical confirmation from the vet, because this may have some significant impact on insurance, amongst other things. So you may well be looking at xrays. I would only explore this if the breeder was darn good on every count.
Our last lab, Cocoa, had a downward kink in her tail and lived a normal life. If you're uncertain then talk to a vet, as others have already said.
My boy Axel has a kink in his tail, not from birth though, happened at some point during his wee puppy days when he must have smacked it real hard. I personally find it unique and I love it. But saying that, I don’t find it as noticeable now, maybe it’s straughtening out. If otherwise the puppy is ok then a kinked tail wouldn’t stop me
Thanks again for the responses. I have spoken to the vets who the breeder uses (coincidentally they are 'The Yorkshire Vet' as per the TV programme on Channel 5). The vet confirmed they saw the puppy the day after birth when the breeder brought him in to check no spine issues. They confirmed it is only aesthetic in their opinion and won't cause any health issues. Said common in big litters where the bitch is fairly petite - due to lack of room in the womb. Walking and playing fine and no indication at all of it being anything other than aesthetic. Chatted to breeder again today and saw the health paperwork for both the bitch and dog. I am inclined to take a leap of faith. As others have said, you can get a puppy that looks 'perfect' and it develop problems at any point that weren't apparent. We can never be sure what we are getting into and I feel reassured that the vet says it is fine. Thanks again
Boy, am I glad I did not have a "kinked" tail, I would never have gotten married! How she got past all my other "kinks" I will never know.
Tilly has a little kink in her tail. It would probably cost her points in the show ring, but not with us. I almost wish Cooper did. Her tail is huge and heavy. The classic table clearing tail. Fully pints are not safe.
Yes - no intentions to show my dogs (sadly don't have the time, otherwise would like to get into it!) and the kink is barely noticeable. To be honest I am now sat looking at my golden retriever's tail, having never bothered looking at it before, thinking his looks a bit wonky
As you've already pretty much decided, if you were happy with the breeder/mating and got reassurance from a vet you respect, I'd scoop that pup up and embrace the kink. For my first dog (only one from a breeder so far) I was on a long waiting list and on pins and needles waiting to hear if I was one of the chosen ones. Breeder called me up and said she had a puppy that she thought was perfect for me in terms of temperament, but his ears were really too large and he had an overbite. I wasn't interested in showing and told her as long as he was healthy and had the right temperament, I didn't care if he was purple, I'd take him. She was absolutely right and Duncan was the perfect fit for me and a fabulous boy. And to this day I love big floppy ears on a dog and don't mind slashings of drool (result of the overbite).
I feel a bit better about Maisy's tail now, it's her style and it doesn't bother me at all. I would go for the pup, it can be hard to find a litter with just the right one for you and this one has an excellent breeder and you now know that he has been checked out by good vets. If everything else is fine then I would snap up the little fella. I think you want him, take that leap!
New puppy!! How exciting!!! I would just say though - I would think very carefully before breeding from a dog with a congenital kink in its tail (which your prospective puppy presumably has).
I am curious as to why you think the kink is "congenital" ? From what I have read so far, I have not seen any indication it is "congenital", maybe I missed something here?
