What does a black spot on a dog’s tongue mean?
We have some good news for you: If you’ve ever noticed one or more black spots on your dog’s tongue, they’re almost never cause for concern. “Black spots on a dog’s tongue are typically nothing more than pigmentation and are completely harmless,” says Brian Evans, DVM, medical director at Dutch, an online veterinary service. Your puppy may be born with one or more black spots on her tongue, or they may develop well into a dog’s adult life.
Whether there’s one little spot, a big blotch that covers most of his tongue or several black spots on the tongue and around your dog’s mouth, the cause is almost always the same: pigmentation. Think of it as the equivalent of a birthmark or a strangely placed freckle—and part of his unique genetic “paw print.”
What are black spots on my dog’s tongue?
Basically, these black spots are part of your dog’s skin and fur hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a condition—which is usually harmless—in which the skin produces more melanin in one certain area of the body. In humans, hyperpigmentation is in the form of freckles and sun spots. So in simpler terms, the black spots you see on your dog’s tongue are the canine equivalent of freckles and birthmarks.
Not all dogs have spots though, but some dog breeds are prone to having them. Some dogs are born with few dark spots on their tongue, while others will have a completely black or blue tongue due to their breed. There is really no definitive reason as to how these spots occur, but they just tend to appear during the dog’s young adulthood stage.
Are Certain Breeds Predisposed To Having Dark Or Spotted Tongues?
It’s true! Chow Chows are perhaps the most famous for their dark tongues, but there are actually more than 35 breeds prone to it, including Akitas, bull mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Labradors, and huskies. Check out a full list of breeds here.
Needless to say, if your dog has a spotted tongue they may be one of those breeds, though it’s not a definite indicator. Scientists are not sure why these breeds are predisposed to spots or dark tongues in comparison to other dog breeds, but it sure does give them some extra pizzaz!
Why Some Golden Retrievers Have A Black Spot On Their Tongue?
If you take a look, you might notice that your canine companion has black spots on their tongue. Not every dog has a tongue like this, but there are many breeds that do. Why do some dogs have black spots on their tongues while others don’t? Is it something you should be concerned about as a pet parent? Let’s find out!