What causes black spots on a dog's tongue?

Question

We just had a dog given to us who is supposed to be a full-blooded Maltese. He has three black spots on his tongue. I always associated that with a Chow. Do other breeds of dogs get spots on their tongues and it this normal? They are not raised in size and seem normal other than the coloring.

Answer 1

The Chow is NOT the only dog with a black tongue, I always argue with my aunt about this... the fact is all dogs have common ancestors and any dog can have a black tongue as long as they have the genes for it. Sometimes they have spotted tongues, or half black tongues etc.

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.

Answer 2

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RE:
What causes black spots on a dog's tongue?
We just had a dog given to us who is supposed to be a full-blooded Maltese. He has three black spots on his tongue. I always associated that with a Chow. Do other breeds of dogs get spots on their tongues and it this normal? They are not raised in size and seem normal other than the coloring.

Answer 3

There is a myth that chows are the only breeds with black tongues, and that if the tongue has black spots it must have chow heritage. This is not true. Everyone in chows knows the standard comment--if the dog has a black tongue, then it is a chow. We also hear the comment that if it has pink spots, then it is a mix. If only it were this simple! Black spots on the tongue in no way indicate whether the dog is a chow or a chow mix unless that tongue is attached to a dog that looks like a chow. There are many, many breeds that can have black pigment on the tongue. Some can have large spots of black pigment, and sometimes they may have almost solid black pigmentation on their tongues.

So, if a black pigmented tongue is attached to a dog that does not look like a chow, then it is probably not a chow. Also true is that not all purebred chows will have solid pigment on their tongues. Even the best of show breedings can produce chows with incomplete pigment, so we certainly should not discount a rescued chow with a spot or two of pink. The following is a list of breeds known to have purebred individuals appear with black pigmentation on their tongues:

Shar-Pei, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Newfoundland, Collie, German Shepherd, Akita, Belgian Sheepdog, Tervuren, Malinois, Fila Brasileiro, Cairn Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Keeshond, Airedale, Doberman Pinscher,
Bouvier de Flandres, Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Pug, Shiba Inu, Dalmatian, Flat-coated Retriever, Gordon Setters

Answer 4

Yes any breed can get it. My two dogs, both mixes. One is a Shepherd mix the other a border collie mix. And they both have the black spot on their tongues. It's just they way they are. My Pure bred American Eskimo his nose turned a kinda pinky brown with black spots on it. So it's just something that happens.

Answer 5

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tinyurl.im/uwzmF

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 6

German shepherds and other breeds can have pigmented tongues, as well. My first Shep was purebred, and he had a large black spot on his tongue.

It's perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

Answer 7

I'm not sure, did you get papers with you dog? I always thought that is was Chows that had spotted tongues, I know mine did. I would make sure that yours has papers, if not you might have gotten screwed. Sorry.

Answer 8

I also thought that only Chows had the black spots. I own two part Chows -- one has a full black tongue and the other has a spotted tongue.

Answer 9

I have always been told that the black spots come from the breed of dog they have in them. Some breeds have solid black tongues, and some have pink tongues, i have always heard that a dog with a spotted tongue is not full blooded, but i am not sure about it.

Answer 10

It is very difficult to train a dog if you do not have the proper dog training equipment. The right piece of equipment, when properly fitted, helps aid in communication between you and your pet.

Leather Dog Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes

Basic training equipment that every owner needs is a leather dog collar and a dog leash. When you are placing the collar on your pet, you will want to make sure that it is snug enough that it won't slide over your dog's head should they balk, but it isn't so tight that it is restricts their ability to breathe.

Every time you put the collar on your dog, you need to check the fit. Puppies grow, and older dogs can gain and lose weight as well, which will also impact how the collar fits. In addition to making sure that the collar fits properly, you will want to check to make sure that the buckle isn't showing signs of strain, that the stitching is good, and that the leather hasn't developed dry rot.

Many people also like to have a leather dog harness for their dog. Many dog owners feel that a dog harness is more secure, and also provides better control than a traditional dog collar. The harness allows you to move the dog's entire torso, as opposed to simply jerking on the neck when you need the dog to stop or heel.

Knowing How to Properly Use Dog Training Equipment

Knowing the type of equipment that you need is only part of the dog training experience. You also need to know how to properly use it. The best way to make sure that you are using the equipment properly is by signing up for a dog obedience course.

The great thing about dog obedience courses is that you will be working with someone who knows how dog training equipment works, and they will also be able to offer tips and suggestions about what you can do when you and your pet seem to be having communication issues. It is important to note that if you have a pet that tends to be aggressive, whether towards other dogs or people, the instructor might suggest that your dog wear a dog muzzle. This will allow the other dog owners in the surrounding environment to feel more secure, and may also prevent the outbreak of a fight from ensuing between your dog and other dogs in the class.

Advanced Dog Training Options

As your pet gets older, you may decide to explore more training options. Once a dog has mastered basic obedience, there are several different options available to you. Some people decide that they want to teach their puppy how to move through obstacles, and then later go on to compete in agility classes.

Some people even decide to learn more about having their dog certified to be a search and rescue dog. If you decide that you want to pursue a specific type of advanced dog training, you will be required to purchase additional dog training equipment that is applicable for your specific needs.

The exact type of equipment that you and your dog will need will depend on the type of training you pursue. For example, if you are hoping to utilize your dog as a means of protection, chances are highly likely that any attack dog training equipment that you will need will be entirely different from the majority of the training tools that you would purchase for agility training.

When you have the proper dog training tools, and have been educated about how they should be used in the proper manner, you will find that training your canine family member is much easier than you would expect.

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