Dog With Blue Tongue! Is It Normal?

A dog is man’s best friend and the most faithful animal. We can gain more knowledge from the dogs; they teach us respect, kindness, fearlessness, and loyalty. People treat dogs no less than humans, and dog ownership is a responsibility, not a privilege. The connection between man and dog is like kids and parents.

Every characteristic of the dog is magnificent, from its appearance to its walking style, but nothing catches the eye, more like his tongue. A dog with blue tongues is quite different than other dogs.

Are you a dog person and concerned about its blue tongue or want to know some facts about it? Read ahead to discover answers to your queries.

Why Do Dogs Have Blue Tongues?

According to the experts, dogs have blue tongues for two main reasons either it is related to the breed type or it is caused due to disease called Cyanosis.

Dog Breeds With A Blue Tongue

The dog breeds having a blue tongue due to their genetics are the Shar-Pei, the Eurasier, and the Chow-Chow.

1. Shar-Pei

This breed is one of the ancient Chinese breeds loyal to family but suspicious of other dogs and strangers.

The Shar-Pei is one of the best companion and guardian dogs, but they are poorer as hunters.

They have unique physical traits such as small sunken eyes, small triangular ears, and an athletic build which give them a sporty look. But mainly, they are distinguished by their blue-toned tongue.

2. Eurasier

Eurasier is the dignified German breed bred in the 1960s from Chow-Chow, Wolfsspitz, and Samoyed. The dogs of this breed are companions and suited for the family. They are usually found in different color varieties ranging from fawn to black.

Eurasier is healthy, calm, well-constructed, medium size spitz 45 to 60 cm in height. They have prick ears and loosely lying hairs that guard their whole body.

Their front and hind legs are covered with long hairs. Some of the representatives of the Eurasier breed have a blue tongue but can also have a pink or bluish-black spotted tongue.

3. Chow- Chow

Chow Chow is one of the oldest imperial breeds of the dog, tracked back to 220 B.C. by Chinese artifacts, while some suggest that this goes back much further.

They are known as Chows, and the dogs belonging to this breed are obstinate. Chow Chows need enough exercise and a quiet retreat; thus, they are not suitable for beginners. The dogs of this breed are loyal to their owners but distant from strangers.

Their physical traits include a large head and curly tail. They have evenly colored smooth or rough coats in reddish brown, bluish gray, and black color. The original breed has a blue tongue, which is also called “Hek she” (means Bluetongue).

The Chow Chow puppies have pink tongues but don’t have blue tongues by birth. Their tongue develops blue color as their eyes open.

For dog shows, Chow Chow puppies must develop a blue tongue within six months; otherwise, they will not qualify for the breed standard.

Blue Tongue And Cyanosis

The blue tongues of the dogs can also be caused by a disease called Cyanosis. It is a disease caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the blood. The mucous membranes and skin turn bluish when there is inadequate oxygen-supplied blood.

The causes that lead to Cyanosis are several conditions in the respiratory and circulatory systems. The disorders of the respiratory system that lead to this disease are Asthma, inhalation of smoke, pneumonia, paralysis of the larynx, and anything which affects the dog’s lungs.

The abnormalities in the circulatory system, such as high blood pressure, blood clots in the lungs, accumulation of fluid in the sac, and anything which hinders the circulatory system, can lead to Cyanosis.

Treatment Of Cyanosis

The dogs affected by Cyanosis required immediate care to stabilize the dog to its oxygen levels. This disease’s root cause may be reversible or life-threatening.

Cyanosis can be treated by oxygen therapy, creating a hole in the windpipe, or relieving pressure from the chest by removing fluid. Different diets and medications are prescribed depending on the underlying diagnosis.

Myths About Blue Tongue Dog

It is not yet clarified how dogs have developed blue-tongue, but there are several legends about the blue-tongued dog.

There are several myths about blue-tongued dogs. The First story about a dog’s blue tongue refers to Buddha Siddhartha Gautama himself. It is stated that when Buddha painted heaven blue, he left his painting tools on the earth. The curious dog licked the painting brush and walked over it; this way, the dog got his tongue blue.

The second myth is also related to the Buddhist community. A Buddhist monk felt very ill a long time ago. It was a freezing night, and to get warm, he needed firewood. The dogs went out to find firewood for the monk, but unluckily, the dogs could only get charred wood, and due to this charring, their tongues turned bluish-black.

Another story tells that the blue tongue dog liked the day so much that he wiped out the night sky by licking its darkness eternally. For this deed, god has turned their tongue blue as a punishment.

Conclusion

If your dog belongs to a breed with a genetically blue tongue, such as Chow Chow, Eurasier, and Shar-Pei, it’s a unique characteristic, but if it has nothing to with these breeds, it is a sign of a disease called Cyanosis.

If the dog is affected by Cyanosis, you must instantly take it to an experienced vet for appropriate medical treatment.

On completion of medical treatment, you should follow home care instructions carefully, and if something does not seem right, seek medical treatment urgently.