Chow Chow Dog Tongue​

Ever seen a dog with a blue tongue and wondered, “What’s going on there?” Well, meet the Chow Chow, the boss of the blue tongue dog world. Their blue-black tongue isn’t just eye-catching; it’s iconic. Thanks to a boatload of melanin in their mouth tissues, the tongue of the Chow Chow is a striking blue-black that sets them apart from most other dog breeds.

But why is a Chow Chow dog’s tongue blue? Nobody really knows. There are plenty of stories, though. Some say Chow Chows got their blue tongues from licking up pieces of the sky when the world was created. Others think it’s tied to their resemblance to bears. While those ideas are charming, science chalks it up to genetics. Whatever the case, the blue tongue Chow is one of the most iconic features in the canine kingdom.

How Did Chow Chows Get Their Blue Tongues?

Let’s take a trip back in time — way back. Chow Chows are one of the oldest dog breeds, with records of them in Chinese artifacts as far back as 206 B.C. Fast forward to the 1820s, when they were displayed at the London Zoo as “the wild dogs of China.” Caretakers there noticed the peculiar Chow dog blue tongue, and breeders eventually made it a must-have feature for identifying purebred Chows.

Today, the official breed standards takes this tongue thing seriously. According to the rules:

• Mouth and Tongue: Lips should be edged in black, with mouth tissues mostly black. Gums? Ideally black too.

• Disqualifying Fault: If a Chow Chow shows up with red or pink on their tongue, they’re disqualified from competitions.

That’s how serious this Chow Chow dog tongue thing is — no exceptions.

Well, i’d say the reason for this pigmantation could be a compidation of these factors:

1. Melanin in Chow Chow Tongue

The blue-black tongue of the Chow Chow is primarily due to a high concentration of melanin — a natural pigment found in the skin, hair, and tissues of animals. In humans, melanin is what gives us different skin tones and eye colors. For Chow Chows, this pigment is especially abundant in the tissues of their mouths, lips, and tongues.

Melanin comes in two forms:

1. Eumelanin: Produces black and dark brown colors.
2. Pheomelanin: Produces red and yellow tones.

In Chow Chows, the dominance of eumelanin is what gives their tongues that deep blue-black hue. This genetic trait is rare among dog breeds, which is why most dogs have pink tongues instead. The blue tongue Chow Chow is one of the few exceptions, along with the Chinese Shar-Pei.

2. The Genetics Behind Blue-Black Tongues

The Chow Chow dog tongue pigmentation is likely controlled by multiple genes. Scientists believe that melanin production in Chow Chows is regulated by the melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and its interaction with melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) genes. These genes dictate how much eumelanin and pheomelanin are produced.

In Chow Chows, the MC1R gene might lean heavily toward eumelanin production, resulting in the solid blue-black tongue we see today. A similar genetic mechanism could explain why the Chinese Shar-Pei shares this trait.

3. Evolutionary Adaptation

First, it might have to do with thermal regulation — the dark pigmentation could help these dogs manage heat in hot or sunny climates. Another idea is genetic drift, as Chow Chows are one of the oldest breeds, dating back to at least 206 B.C. Over time, this trait might have randomly developed and stuck around due to selective breeding.

Lastly, the blue-black tongue might have been a way to signal health or genetic purity. Unique traits like this can sometimes indicate good health, which would have made it a desirable feature during the breed’s early domestication.

Do Blue Spots on a Dog’s Tongue Mean the Dog is Part Chow?

So, someone sees a blue spot on their Lab’s tongue and says, “It must be part Chow Chow!” But is it really that simple?

A common myth about Chow Chows is that any dog with blue tongue spots must be part Chow Chow. But is this true? Not entirely. While a solid blue-black tongue is unique to Chow Chows (and their close cousins, the Chinese Shar-Pei), black or blue spots can appear randomly in other breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands.

The difference is that for Chow Chows, the blue tongue Chow Chow trait is hereditary and consistent. Meanwhile, in other breeds, these spots are just random skin pigmentation and not a sign of Chow Chow ancestry. So, just because your dog has a spotted tongue doesn’t mean it’s part Chow Chow — but hey, it’s fun to imagine!

Chow Chow Tongue Colors: Can They Be Pink?

Believe it or not, Chow Chows aren’t born with their iconic blue tongue. Chow Chow puppies actually start out with pink tongues, like any other pup. Over time, the pigment kicks in, and their tongue transforms into that deep blue-black shade.

This color change usually happens by the time the puppy is six months old. If a Chow Chow doesn’t fully develop the right Chow Chow tongue pigmentation, it won’t meet the breed standard. A Chow Chow with an incomplete blue-black tongue can’t compete in dog shows, no matter how adorable they are.

Why Do Chow Chows Have Pink or Spotted Tongues?

Sometimes, people spot a Chow Chow with tongue out and notice pink or red areas. What’s the deal? This could mean the Chow Chow isn’t purebred or that it has incomplete pigmentation. The breed standard is clear: a proper Chow Chow dog tongue must be solid blue-black, with no red or pink visible.

If your Chow Lab White Blue Tongue pup has a mix of colors, it might not meet the show ring’s high standards. However, this doesn’t take away from their charm — every Chow Chow is special, regardless of their tongue color!

What Other Dog Breeds Have Blue Tongues?

The Chow Chow isn’t the only member of the blue tongue dog club. Their closest relative, the Chinese Shar-Pei, also rocks a full blue-black tongue. Both breeds probably share distant ancestors, which explains this quirky trait.

Other breeds, like Newfoundlands and Labs, might sport blue spots, but they don’t get the full blue tongue Chow Chow look. Bonus fun fact? Polar bears and giraffes also have blue tongues, along with some cattle breeds. Who knew the Chow Chow dog tongue colors would have such exotic company?

Our next post is about aggression in Chow Chows