Most canines have pink tongues. Amazingly, however, there are actually a few different types of dogs with purple tongues. This is a highly unusual trait. So here are the only dog breeds with purple tongues on the planet, along with what you’ll want to know about them.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is often described as a dog that looks like a lion or a bear. It is a primitive breed that was developed in China. It is considered to be a fairly low-energy dog. Yet, while it doesn’t need much exercise the Chow Chow definitely does require an experienced owner who understands the breed’s unique temperament.
The Chow Chow’s purple tongue is its most unique physical characteristic. However many people don’t realize that its tongue actually starts out pink. The pigment in the tongue darkens with age. And the rate at which it darkens, and how much, varies from dog to dog. That being said, Chow Chow puppies should typically have a purple tongue by the age of six months, with the ideal shade being a blue-black.
If they don’t develop a solid purple tongue Chow Chows cannot compete in the show ring. Spotted tongues are not allowed. But of course not having a solid-colored tongue doesn’t mean that they are any less of a Chow Chow or that they don’t make fabulous pets.
Shar-Pei
Shar-Peis are Chinese dogs with purple tongues and wrinkles from head to toe. In fact, the Shar-Pei is easily the most wrinkly dog breed of them all. It comes in three coat types: brush coat, horse coat, and bear coat. While both the brush and horse coat are harsh, bear coat is dense and fluffy similar to that of the Chow Chow.
The ideal tongue shade for the Shar-Pei is a solid blue-black. However, dogs with dilute coat colors typically have tongues that are solid lavender. This is a breed that is both intelligent and stubborn.
And because it was traditionally used for dog fighting the Chinese Shar-Pei has a tendency to be aggressive if not socialized properly. Therefore it will do best with an experienced owner who can socialize this special dog from an early age.
Miniature Shar-Pei
The Miniature Shar-Pei is the same dog as the standard Shar-Pei just in a smaller package. So it has the exact same history, characteristics, and temperament. It was created by breeders who focused on a recessive gene in the standard Shar-Pei’s DNA.
The Miniature Shar-Pei is ideal for those who are experienced enough to handle a Shar-Pei but prefer a smaller size dog, may have limited space, or want one that’s even more wrinkly. That’s right, this purple-tongued dog is also bred to have more wrinkles than those that are standard size. Although the Mini Pei is becoming more and more popular it is not recognized by the AKC.
Keep in mind that there are individual dogs with purple tongues or tongues with purple spots that do not belong to these specific breeds. And some may indeed have some amount of Chow Chow or Shar-Pei in their ancestry.
Or their tongue coloration may simply just be a result of random pigmentation. However, the dogs listed above are the only breeds that have a hereditary purple (or blue-black) tongue that breeds true generation after generation.
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