Most dogs have pink tongues, but some breeds have naturally blue tongues, sometimes called “black tongues”. The chow chow,
The Chow Chow's blue-black tongue sets it apart from almost every other dog breed. But why do Chows have blue tongues?
Besides the Chow Chow and Chinese Shar-Pei who both have blue/black tongues, dogs from the following breeds can have spotted tongues: Airedale, Akita, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Malinois, Bichon Frise, Bouvier des Flandres, Bull Mastiff, Cairn Terrier, Collie ...
Unlike certain dogs displaying random black spots in their mouths, two dog breeds, in particular, were specifically bred to have a black tongue and black mouth: the Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar-Pei.
Chow Chow dogs are known for their dramatic-looking blue-purple tongues. The tongue may be a solid color or may display spots of pink. Chow Chow puppies are actually born with pink tongues. When the tongue begins to darken to blue-purple at about eight to 10 weeks of age, some pink spots may remain.
Most dogs have pink tongues, but some breeds have naturally blue tongues, sometimes called “black tongues”. The chow chow, shar pei, eurasier and thai ridgerback are four such dogs, so read on to find out more!
Any breed can have a tongue with dark pigment that ranges from blue to black in color, however there are some breeds that are more prone to it. Some have tongues that are entirely black with little to no pink and some have varying degrees of spots and patches.
What causes black spots on a dog's tongue? Black spots are simply pigmentation. Just like certain breeds have darker “points” or spots, spots on a dog's tongue are merely pigmented skin cells. Points, in terms of dog coloring, refer to the lips, nose, eye rims, paw pads, and toenails of a dog.
Dogs of any breed, including purebred dogs, can have a black or spotted tongue, but some dogs are more likely to have a black tongue than others. If your dog has had a black tongue since birth, there's no need to worry.
The normal color of a healthy tongue should be a deep pink. When hot, the tongue will normally be red due to the heat that is being released from the vessels, so the best time to look at your dog's tongue is when he's at rest. The younger the animal, the pinker the color, due to his vitality.
A crossbreed dog is one whose parents are of two different breeds, or a mixture of several breeds. Crossbreeds often display a mixture of their parents' traits, so it's important to take this into account when thinking of buying or rehoming a crossbreed.
Giraffes are unique in many ways - and one of them is the color of their tongues. Strangely, the animals' tongues are of a very dark hue, often appearing to be completely black.
When there is not enough oxygen being carried to the body by the red blood cells, the skin and mucous membranes (e.g., the gums) can turn a bluish color. This is known as cyanosis.
That's not necessarily true, as black spots on a dog's tongue can occur in any breed. It's more common, however, with about 30 breeds, including Labradors, German shepherds and Dobermans, as well as several hounds.
If your dog's tongue is blue, it's a clear sign that it needs immediate medical attention. Cyanosis can be caused by numerous conditions, including anemia, heartworm disease, and respiratory problems. If you suspect your dog may suffer from one of these conditions, take it to the vet immediately.
Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.
The normal tongue color of a German Shepherd dog is pink. The breed has a unique feature of having patches of black on its tongue that are usually seen near the tip. These dark spots can come in different sizes and shapes and may even be slightly raised.
If you've ever seen a Chow Chow, then you've probably noticed its unique blue-black tongue. Chow Chows, as well as Chinese Shar-Peis, actually require a blue-black tongue in its breed standard. And, believe it or not, these breeds aren't the only ones who may display a tongue color other than pink.
In dogs, their gums should be a powdery pink color. This color is a sign of healthy gums. However, if the gums are not pink, they may be pale in color, which could mean that your dog has some underlying health problems. These troubles range from pain and anxiety to kidney disease.
However, there are a few dog breeds who are an exception to this rule. Some dog breeds have tongues of a different color, naturally. If your dog isn't a breed that has a naturally differently-colored tongue and their tongue isn't a healthy pink, it could be an indication of cancer, diabetes, or another disease.
In general, having a blue tongue indicates health problems, however, there are several animals with a blue tongue: the chow-chow, the giraffe, the impala, the okapi or the polar bear.
According to the report, "Black dogs had the least likelihood of being adopted compared to the reference coat color of black and tan." And dogs of all other colors, such as red, merle, and tricolor dogs, "were preferred only slightly over black and tan."
1. Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.