Why do Shar-Peis and Chow chows have blue/purple tougues??

Question

I think I know why but i'm not sure!! I actually have a shar-pei/chow.

Answer 1

It is because the characteristic was desired and thus perpetuated. All it is is mouth pigmentation and all dogs can have it but it was simply something that we perpetuated like the fluffy coat of the ChowChow or the wrinkles in the Shar Pei. My Doberman g*tch has a pigmentation on her tongue in the shape of a valentine :) If you will notice in most of the ChowChows or Shar Peis, they entire mouth is dark pigmented as well as the tongue -- pigmented mouths are a commonly desired characteristic in most breeds - along with dark pigment elsewhere such as around the eyes and on the nose and such - - not all the breeds but many/most, these are desirable characteristics. I have often wondered if it is because it seems that darker pigments skin/mucous membranes seem to be less prone to injury. I noticed that when I had GWPs that had spots of pigmented and non-pigmented skin on their feet/pads and the non-pigmented areas seemed to become injured/cut more and take longer to heal... nothing scientific about that just something I noticed :)

Answer 2

NO! Shar Peis and Chow Chows are NOT appropriate dogs for a child to be the sole caregiver to. Sorry. It doesn't matter if you know how to "discipline" a dog. Its about confidence and experience training stubborn, headstrong, independent dogs and there is no way that a 14 year old can handle it. Add: I'm sorry... I shouldn't have referred to you as a child. You are a teenager. Think of it this way. These dogs needs TONS TONS of training and socialization for their *entire* lives. They only live to be about 7-9 years old. You're in school, right? Then going to college? Are you *really* prepared to give up every ounce of spare time that you have, for the next 7-9 years, to work with your dog ensuring that it is well-balanced and obedient? These breeds may be "cute" (although some would say that is debatable), but they are some of the most difficult breeds to handle.

Answer 3

Chow Chow Purple Tongue

Answer 4

Some wild animals have blue tongues, I wonder if there was an evolutionary reason. When children ask, I say it's from licking the color off his nose. I have a cream Chow, with a pink nose. They believe it, I laugh.

Answer 5

There are actually over 38 different breeds that can have purple tongues, or just dark spots on their tongues. It's a genetic thing that causes extra deposits of melanin (coloration) on their tongues.

Some folks think it means they are smart or vicious or some other characteristic. But all it means is their tongue is blue/purple.

or they've been eating grape popsicles!

Answer 6

I didn't know the shar-pei did.

I thought it was only Chows, and Giraffes
that had black tongues.

Answer 7

Chows were discovered over 2000 years ago in China in a Bas-Relief, its popularity in Europe did not appear til the mid 1900's, and one was brought to the Prince of Wales, known better as Edward the 7th...the dog became the dog of aristocrats and gentlemen.......when found 2000 years ago, they did not have the purple tongue, over the centuries the dog was bred to bring out the broad head and skull....now days they are bred to make sure they maintain the color of the tongue and gums to be acceptable in these colors only to meet the AKC standards of ......Palate, and gums, purple not blue....blue is not acceptable..

the colors for standard are tan. red, cream, blue, black, silver gray, never white, white is not standard for this breed.

companion dog tranquil, used in China for guard purposes, hunting.....now revered as a companion dog by the Chinese...

Answer 8

Acually just found a list of breeds that have blue-black tongues.

Answer 9

Because they are related chinese breeds that happen to share that genetic component.

Answer 10

Its just the way the breed is. its genetic