 Coloration is grey and white, mottled with large brown or black spots, the tail mostly white with black tips.The whitetail dogfish is ovoviviparous, with at least 59 pups per litter.In June 2018 the New Zealand Department of Conservation classified the whitetail dogfish as "Data Deficient" with the qualifier "Uncertain whether Secure Overseas" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.