I have two Lhasa Apso's. My youngest's tongue is always hanging out of his mouth, even when its closed. Why?

Question

I have asked my vet and he said that when his adult teeth grow in, this should stop. He is now 2 yrs old and it still does it. Although its actually cute, I wonder if this will ever pose as a problem. It hangs out about an inch and a half on the left side. He drinks out of his bowl from the left side and takes treats the same way. He sleeps with it out and everything. It does not seem to be a problem but I was just curious as to why it does that.

Answer 1

Could be just the trait in your dog. Actually I have two Shih-Tzu's and one the tongue hangs out the other it doesn't. They are not from the same litter. I think because of their short little noses, that keeping their tongue out, makes it easier for them to breathe. But that is my opinion.

Answer 2

It seems to be a trait with these dogs. My Mom had breed Lhasas for a while. Allot of them just seem to be more comfortable with their little tongues out. I think that sometimes they prefer it because their hair gets in their mouths often. Besides I think that they think that they look cute that way...lol

Answer 3

This could be a genetic fault. Did you get your dogs from BYBer?
Do both carry a Pedigree? Or are they just mutts? AKC doen't tell you anything about the genes that your dogs carry, that is where the Pedigree comes in handy. You can go back for several generations and see what the breeder is going for in his blood lines.

Sorry, you got shafted like this but this is the type dog BYBer's pop ou.

Answer 4

lol.. thats the same way with my yorkie...but she is like 80 something years old and her tongue has hung out of her mouth for many years after we gave her shot in the mouth for something that was wrong with her...it's a very cute thing though... but my dog is alot older than yours...but she doesnt have any teeth so thats not why her tongue is hanging out ...