Dog tongue spots

[snopes]

Comment: I have heard recently that dark spots on the tongue of a German
Shepherd dog, that is believed to be purebred, is due to the presence of a
Chow dog in its bloodlines. Chows have dark purple/black tongues and this
is the basis for the belief. T

[Cervus]

The chow lineage is a common misconception. Any dog, regardless of heritage, can get dark pigments on their tongue, gums, belly, legs, or anywhere else on their body. It's like a birthmark or permanent freckle. Mixed-breed dogs are more likely to have them, but it's no firm indicator of chow bloodlines.

[Xia]

Many German Shepherds have tongue spots, it does not mean they are not purebred at all. There are many breeds that fairly commonly have spots on their tongues as well so this does not really give any clues to a dog's breed. Sometimes it's even a large splotch of pigment or multiple spots that can cover a big part or all of the tongue.

Also, Chows are not the only breed to have dark colored tongues, Chinese Shar-Pei are also supposed to have black/purple tongues and mouth pigmentation (the whole inside of the mouth is supposed to be dark, not just the tongue). If a dog's entire tongue and mouth is black/purple/blue or mottled it's more likely they could be part Chow or Shar-Pei but not definitely the case as I've heard of some dogs of other breeds popping up with totally purple/black tongues or mouths.

[Lainie]

Some cats have dark spots in their mouths, too, or black spots on pink lips. My tortie cat Katie had a black spot on the roof of her mouth.

[Cobalt Indigo]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Some cats have dark spots in their mouths, too, or black spots on pink lips. My tortie cat Katie had a black spot on the roof of her mouth.

Right. My aunt had a beautiful black and white cat with a big black spot on his otherwise pink nose.

I had a dog next door to me growing up that was a ginger colored retriever mix. Sweet-natured dog, if a little hyper, was labeled a chow mix just because of his purple tongue. Physically he had no other chow characteristics, save maybe his coat color, but the texture was not of a chow.

[A Turtle Named Mack]

I am pretty sure that my Saint/retriever must have Gene Simmons in his bloodline, given the size of my dog's tongue.

[crocoduck_hunter]

Oh, that Simmons gene.

Hard to get rid of, seems like it never goes away.

[moonfall]

I had a golden retriever growing up who had a black spot on his tongue. We never could figure out why, but I think it ran in the bloodline.

[Cobalt Indigo]

My tortoiseshell cat had the opposite problem. All of her paw pads were black except for one toe on one of her back paws.

[DawnStorm]

Originally Posted by Cervus

The chow lineage is a common misconception. Any dog, regardless of heritage, can get dark pigments on their tongue, gums, belly, legs, or anywhere else on their body. It's like a birthmark or permanent freckle. Mixed-breed dogs are more likely to have them, but it's no firm indicator of chow bloodlines.

Thank you! I had a shepherd-husky-lab mix that had black spots on his tongue. I was forever explaining to people that Buster did not have any chow in him.

[TurquoiseGirl]

Interesting. I was told that Holly is part chow because she has purple spots on her tongue. She doesn't show any other characteristics of chowness, being, I suspect, largely Rhodesian Ridgeback.

[Lainie]

My ginger cat Cheeto has, in kitty middle age, developed two black spots on his lips.