9 Dog Breeds With Blue Tongues (With Pictures)
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While it isn’t surprising that your dog would spend so much time trying to lick your face and show affection, what can be surprising is when you see a dog’s tongue—and it’s blue.
However, several breeds are known for having blue tongues, and while we don’t yet know why their tongues are a different color, scientists are certain that they’re pretty cute. Read on to find out which breeds are most likely to sport darker tongues than usual.
The 9 Dog Breeds with Blue Tongues:
1. Chow Chow
This is the breed most widely known for having a blue tongue, and it’s also one of the oldest breeds on the planet. Are those two facts related? No one knows for sure.
What we are fairly certain of, though, is that this breed shares a common ancestor with the next dog on our list.
2. Shar Pei
Another Chinese breed, these pups are more famous for their wrinkles than their tongues. However, their lickers are usually dark, ranging from blueish-black to purple.
Some scientists think that both Shar Peis and Chow Chows are descended from Tibetan wolves. Whether that explains the blue tongues, we don’t know, but we’re pretty certain it means you shouldn’t make fun of them for it!
3. Rottweiler
Not all Rottweilers have blue tongues, and pink tongues with splotches of blue or black are more common. However, it’s not unusual to see one of these dogs with a completely blue tongue.
These pups make fantastic guard dogs, so if you’re planning on breaking into a home with a Rottie on duty, you should ask yourself whether those spots are simply blood from the last guy that tried to break in.
4. German Shepherd
Blue tongues are fairly rare among German Shepherds, but they’re not unheard of. Typically, they’ll have a few dark splotches, which are caused by a concentration of pigment.
These concentrations of pigment are completely harmless—if the dog was born with them, that is. If they form later in life, consult your vet immediately, as it could be a sign of a disease.
5. Akita
Akitas kind of look like skinny Chow Chows, so we guess it isn’t surprising that they’d have spotted tongues, too. Like with German Shepherds, completely blue tongues are rare, but splotches aren’t unusual.
These dogs tend to be affectionate with loved ones yet standoffish with strangers, so consider yourself a member of the family if you suddenly find an Akita tongue in your face.
- Related Read:Â Best Dog Foods for Akitas
6. Tibetan Mastiff
These huge pooches rarely have blue tongues, but they are prone to dark splotches or spots. These spots really tend to stand out, too, as their tongues are about the size of a small dog!
This is another breed that likely descended from Tibetan wolves, so it’s worth wondering if those animals have blue tongues, too.
7. Border Collie
Most Border Collies have pink tongues, but certain individuals are born with blue models. Since these dogs are so hard-working, it’s not unusual for their tongues to be hanging out of their mouths, making any pigmentation all the more noticeable.
Then again, these dogs are so smart, a blue tongue may just be a sign that they stole your Popsicles again!
8. Korean Jindo
These are fairly rare dogs, as they are predominantly bred on the Korean island of Jindo. They’re great hunting dogs, and they tend to form deep emotional bonds with their owners.
So, if you get one with a blue tongue, expect to get a close-up look at that tongue every time you walk in the door.
9. Pomeranian
Dark tongues are rare with this breed, and those that have one usually have more of a darkish tinge than a full-on blue tongue. This is the only dog on this list that isn’t capable of killing an intruder, so there goes one theory about the reason for blue tongues.
Then again, these pups are highly suspicious of strangers, so maybe they just don’t realize that they can’t actually kill an intruder.
Feeling Kind of Blue
If a garden-variety pink tongue just isn’t going to cut it for you, consider one of the above blue tongues dogs. They’re all wonderful dogs, and they’d love nothing more than to drag their blue tongues up and down your face a couple of times.
However, keep in mind that a dog’s blue tongue is only acceptable if it’s a trait that’s been present since birth. If your normally pink-tongued dog starts experiencing discoloration on his tongue, you should get him to a vet immediately.
Otherwise, though, blue tongue dogs or dogs with purple tongues are just as normal and adorable as their pink-tongued friends. Unfortunately, though, they seem to be just as prone to doggy breath!
Featured Image Credit: bogdanhoda, Shutterstock
