If my dog has a half black tounge does that mean that she is half chow?

Question

I got her at the SPCA and was told she, is a Lab Retriver+Shepherd mix. Then I took her to training classes and was told that her half black tounge means she is half chow.

Answer 1

The Truth About
Those Black Tongues

Does the black spot on your Labrador's tongue mean he's really a Chow mix? That mixed breed puppy in the shelter with a partially black tongue -- is that a sure sign he's part Chow? The answer to both questions is: No!

The Chow Chow's blue-black tongue is one of the breed's most well known physical characteristics. It's also the most misunderstood.

The Chow is one of the most ancient breeds and is the ancestor of many breeds of today. The orgin of the Chow's black tongue is a mystery; we don't know how or why he came to have it.

We do know that the Chow is not the only breed with a blue-black tongue. The Chinese Shar-Pei shares this trait as well. A few other animals have black tongues, too: the giraffe, polar bear, and several breeds of cattle including the Jersey.

We also know that blue-black spots on tongues are very common in dogs - more than 30 pure breeds are known to have members with spotted tongues.

Spots on tongues are simply deposits of extra pigment, like birthmarks and freckles on people. Dogs often have spots of dark pigment on their skin, too, hiding under their coats. These spots can be large or small, many or few.
Here is a site that tells of all breeds known to have partially black tougues,>>
http://www.chowwelfare.com/cciw/blacktongue.htm

Answer 2

As a rescue dog, there might be more suitable placements for this dog. I know it might be kind of fun going around telling people this is a half wolf, but you should consider that perhaps the dog/half wolf should be in some place more suitable than your living room with your family. A nice golden retriever or lab would fit better. This is,, at least,, an outdoor dog. It will probably do well around a farm or similar environment, with lots of space, as long as it doesn't start roaming. If you are in an apartment or even an urban or suburban house, you do not have the room you need for the dog. The dog might have a suitable temperament, but I doubt it. If you want to do the dog and yourself a favour, find a more suitable dog for your family, and find a more suitable placement for this dog. Edit: I kept a dog of this nature, not exactly the same mix, for 16 years. The dog was usually fine, but was unpredictable and aggressive without warning, just often enough that we kept it separated from the guests and nieces and nephews when they came. It was ideal for us on the farm, not a roamer, loved the deep snow -30ºC and running the trails with the horses, but this was definitely a nocturnal, howling hunter by nature. Not a family dog. Edit: We were down at the stable one day, and a neighbour walked by. The dog (half Malamute) was not happy about being left alone. The neighbour wanted to know how many dogs we had up at the house.

Answer 3

It doesn't mean she is 1/2 Chow but there could be Chow in her blood line. It could be 2 or 3 generations back. If you are worried about her being aggressive Chow are no more so than Shepards. Just trainerher well, socialize her & be the top of the pack at your house.
You & she will have great life togther. BRAVA for adopting.

Answer 4

My Aunt said that black spots on a dog's tounge means there is at least some chow in the dog. My dog has black spots on her tounge and she is part chow.

Answer 5

It does somewhere in the blood line have chow in it. but it does not necessarily mean half. and Golden retrievers will have small black spots on their tongues in their line but no chow blood line. It is just an anomaly.

Answer 6

Usually a black tongue does mean it's at least part chow

Answer 7

or have coyote too, but probably Chow - really half a black tongue doesnt mean for sure half chow but it means she PROBABLY has SOME chow breeding in her

good for you for taking her to training and good for you for adopting!!!

Answer 8

Well my grandmother has a little dog named Lucky Girl, she is a small dog, and part of her tongue is black. I asked my grandmother and she told me that she has chow in her, so i believe that your dog has some kind of chow in it.

Answer 9

I don't think my dog has a half black tongue that mean she is halt chow because she has a tongue therefor she is chow with all tongue

Answer 10

Nope, other breeds & lots of mutties can have have a black tongue. The chow idea is a common misconception, though.