Dogs are amazing animals, and they have many particular features that make them very special. There are a lot of different dog breeds, and each of them have certain physical aspects that identify them. Some breeds are characterized by being small, some others by having long fur, and some others for the size of their ears.
Among all these features, there is one that is often overlooked: the color of the tongue. Did you know that some dogs have black tongues? Indeed, there is more than the classic pink tongue in canine buddies. Do you want to know all about some of the most popular dog breeds with black tongues? Read along to find out more about them!
Why do some dogs have black tongues?
Before we introduce the most popular dog breeds with black tongues, we want to tell you all about the main reasons which explain why some dogs have black tongues. When thinking about dogs with black tongues, it is not always a condition that the whole of the tongue is black. Usually what happens is that the dog presents some black spots on the tongue, or that some sections of the tongue are black.
This happens because of heavy pigmentation. In this sense, dogs which have a genetic predisposition to display strong pigmentation are those which will likely have dark, black tongues. This is very similar to what happens to the skin in humans who have freckles or birthmarks.
Dog breeds which have black tongues
As we mentioned above, there are many dog breeds which have black tongues. Some have full black tongues, although these are the minority. Usually what happens is that the tongues present black dots or black sections.
Black tongues are also a feature that many specific dog breeds have. Therefore, on many occasions, a full black tongue can be a very clear sign to identify whether a dog is a pure breed or not. Many people who look for pure breed canines take a look at the color of the tongue and use this feature as a sign to confirm or deny if the dog they are looking at is a purebred canine.
Next, we are going to introduce you to six of the most amazing dog breeds which have black tongues, either full black tongues or dotted black tongues. These are, of course, not the only breeds with black tongues. The fact is that there are many more dogs with black tongues than many people think!
Chow-Chow
This cute, fluffy furry buddy is usually more known because of its characteristic orange-reddish fur. Its soft, prominent hair is what tends to call people’s attention when they encounter a lovely Chow-Chow dog. Nevertheless, these canines also have the particular feature of having a full black tongue.
In the case of Chow-Chow dogs, a full black tongue is a sign that can clearly and easily determine that the dog is a purebred Chow-Chow. This is because having black tongues is very characteristic of these adorable furry buddies.
Thai Ridgeback
As their name indicates, Thai Ridgeback dogs are originally from Thailand. In this sense, they are usually found only in this country, and it is quite odd to find a Thai Ridgeback canine in other places of the world. These lovely furry friends also belong to the group of dog breeds that have black tongues.
In the case of Thai Ridgeback dogs, not all of them have tongues that are completely black. This breed can have specimens with tongues that are fully black, and some others which have tongues that only have black spots or black sections. Either way, black tongues are a particular feature of these amazing dogs.
Eurasier
These excentric and beautiful dogs are the result of a cross between three different dog breeds: Samoyed dogs, Wolf Spitz dogs and Chow-Chow dogs. Thus, Eurasiar dogs have genes from three gorgeous dog breeds, which make them majestic and beautiful. Given that they are related to Chow-Chow dogs, a feature that they share with them is their black tongues.
Eurasiar dogs usually have tongues that are fully black, as happens also with the Chow-Chow dogs that we mentioned above. Their coats tend to be a very distinctive feature: they have silky, prominent white furs that call the attention of anyone who encounters them.
Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-pei, as happens with the Chow-Chow, also inherited a blue-black tongue. In both cases, these breeds are examples of dogs that can demonstrate the purity of their breeds with the color of their tongues. Thus, a Chinese Shar-Pei with a full black tongue will definitely be a purebred canine.
Besides their black tongues, Shar-Pei dogs have other features that make them stand out from other breeds. One of the most well-known characteristics that make these lovely creatures unique is their super-wrinkled bodies, which give them an adorable and fluffy look that people adore. It is said that the reason behind their wrinkled bodies has to do with protection: in the case of a fight or a threatening life event, the wrinkles would protect the bodies of the Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are, without doubt, one of the most popular dog breeds there are. It is quite likely that you have already encountered one of these amazing dogs at some point, but did you know that they also belong to the group of dog breeds which have black tongues? Indeed, Labrador Retrievers do have tongues that are either all black or have black dots or black sections.
In the case of Labrador Retrievers, it is way more common to find that their tongues present the black color in certain areas or sections. Thus, unlike Chow-Chow dogs or Chinese Shar-Pei dogs, Labrador Retrievers do not tend to have fully black tongues as an identifiable feature of their breed.
Pomeranian
Pomeranian dogs are mostly very well-known because of their size and their fluffy furs. These cute, tiny creatures are one of the favorite breeds of those who adore small canines. Even though the most common color of Pomeranian dogs is reddish, they can also come in different colors. And another aspect of Pomeranian dogs that varies in color is their tongues!
Pomeranian dogs also have tongues that are black, but not completely black. It is quite usual to find that the tongues of these gorgeous animals have black dots or spots. Nevertheless, you can also find Pomeranian dogs with pink tongues with no sign of black.
An excentric feature that is more common than you can imagine
As you can see, even though black tongues are not so common in dogs, there are indeed many breeds that share this particular feature. Whether they have full black tongues, or tongues with black spots, there are many dog breeds with black tongues. Even some of the most popular dog breeds can have this particularity!
As we have explained, the black color in dog tongues is the result of an excess in pigmentation and can also be an indicator of the purity of the dog breed. In this sense, for example, a Chow-Chow dog with a full black tongue will definitely be a purebred. Have you ever seen a dog with a black tongue, or with black dots in their tongues? Let us know in the comments below!
