Which dog breed is known for its blue-black tongue?

The Chow Chow is the dog breed most famously associated with a blue-black or purple tongue.

This unusual coloring is caused by dark pigmentation in the tongue and much of the mouth. The color may appear blue-black, purple, or violet, and it often extends to the Chow Chow’s lips and oral cavity. Puppies may develop the pigmentation gradually as they mature, so a young dog’s tongue may not look fully colored at first.

The Chow Chow originated in northern China and is one of the world’s oldest recognized dog breeds. Its dense double coat, curled tail, erect ears, and distinctive straight hind legs give it a characteristic appearance. The breed’s name is commonly linked to a nineteenth-century English expression for miscellaneous goods, although its Chinese name is Songshi Quan, meaning “puffy-lion dog.”

A common mix-up is assuming Chow Chows are the only dogs with dark tongues. Shar-Peis can also have blue-black or purple pigmentation, and other dogs may have isolated dark spots. Even so, the Chow Chow remains the standard answer because the trait is particularly widespread and visually distinctive in the breed.