Dogs with dark spots on the tongue are often mistaken to be part Chow. While the Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar Pei are the only breeds to have a bluish black tongue and mouth, dark spots can appear on the tongue of many other dogs.
Chows Have a Bluish-Black Tongue
Chow puppies are born with pink tongues which do not change to bluish-black until around 8 to 10 weeks of age. A few purebred adult Chows actually retain some pink on the tongue but the American Kennel Club lists red or pink spots on the top surface or edges of the tongue as a disqualification in the show ring. In fact, AKC prefers all tissues of the mouth of the Chow, including the tongue, roof of the mouth, and gums to be bluish-black, and the darker the better.
According to chowwelfare.com, some mixed breed dogs who resemble Chows, but have a solid pink tongue, are probably not Chow at all, but another member of the spitz family, such as Keeshond or Samoyed.
Chinese Shar-Peis Have a Bluish-Black Tongue
The Chinese Shar-Pei, well known for its wrinkly skin, also has a bluish-black mouth, except dilute colors in the breed may have a lighter lavender colored mouth. The Shar-Pei tongue may also appear lighter during heat stress. A Shar-Pei with a spotted pink tongue will be penalized in the show ring and a solid pink tongue will be disqualified.
A few other animals have bluish-black tongues including the polar bear and giraffe.
Many Breeds and Mixes Can Have a Spotted Tongue
Dark spots on the tongue of a dog do not necessarily mean it is part Chow or part Shar-Pei. These spots are merely areas of heavy pigmentation similar to freckles on humans. The AKC explains that the coloring of the lips, nose, eye rims, pads, and toenails, called ‘points’, are determined by genetics and that black spots on the tongue are simply pigmentation carried over from the points. These dogs can also have dark spots on the skin underneath the coat of hair. A Chow mix or Shar-Pei mix may or may not have a dark tongue or spotted tongue.
Illness Causing a Black Tongue in Dogs
If the tongue turns black in a dog that normally has a pink tongue, it could be a sign of serious illness. ‘Black tongue’ can be caused by inflammation in the mouth and is usually accompanied by bad breath. It can also be caused by a niacin deficiency.
Occasionally a dog’s tongue may become discolored after he has chewed on an object with artificial coloring, which in some cases, may contain toxic substances. Incidentally, pale gums and mouth tissues can indicate anemia and/or oxygen deprivation.
All of these discolorations of the mouth tissues should be checked as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
Source:
Possible Causes of Dog Tongue Discoloration, Vetinfo.com
AKC Syndicate, AKC.org
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
Join the Conversation