German Shepherds are one of the most beloved, and certainly one of the most instantly recognizable dog breeds in the whole world. Their appearance is so familiar to us that we can easily spot any details that seem off.
For example, why do German Shepherds have black spots on their tongues? If you have noticed this trait on your GSD, or perhaps on somebody else’s, you’ve probably asked yourself this question.
Where do those black spots come from and are they a cause for concern?
We will be addressing all of those questions in this article, so stick around until the end to find out everything you need to know about why do German Shepherds have black spots on their tongues.
Why Do German Shepherds Have Black Spots On Their Tongue?
First of all, we need to talk about the possible causes of these black spots.
There isn’t a unique cause for every instance of them, as they can be brought on by various things. Most times they are completely harmless, but occasionally they can be a problem.
We will get into both of those variants and try to get to the bottom of them.
So, the short answer to why do German Shepherds have black spots on their tongues – is pigmentation.
The darker points or spots that some breeds have are actually just pigmented skin cells, just like the patches on a dog’s tongue.
Numerous breeds have darker lips and noses, or dark patches across their coat, so it’s no surprise that their tongues and gums can also occasionally exhibit this pigmentation.
What Causes Black Spots On A Dog’s Tongue?
As we’ve already mentioned, the most frequent cause of black spots on a German Shepherd’s tongue is natural cell pigmentation, which is completely harmless.
However, that is not true for every single case of dark spots. There can occasionally be some health issues present in the GSD’s body that are causing them. If that is the case with your dog, you should seek veterinary help immediately.
We will mention those issues in a moment, but first, let’s talk more about pigmentation.
Pigmentation
Eumelanin and phaeomelanin, two distinct pigment types, are present in the DNA of all dogs.
The fundamental red pigment is created by pheomelanin, and the black pigment is produced by eumelanin, or just melanin.
When eumelanin interacts with other genes, it can change color and that’s why we have all those different colors of German Shepherds!
Unlike phaeomelanin, which only regulates coat color, eumelanin also affects the color of the tongue in addition to the color of the eyes, nose, skin, and so on.
Therefore, the presence of one or more black spots on a German Shepherd dog’s tongue is related to melanin production. Basically, it’s like humans have freckles or birthmarks on our faces.
Possible Medical Causes Of Black Spots
So, what are the potential health issues that might be causing these weird black spots on a German Shepherd’s tongue?
While they are not as common a cause as simple pigmentation, they can still crop up sometimes, and it would be wise for you as a dog owner to know about them. That way you can react when you notice them and take your GSD to the vet.
Below are some of the possible medical causes of black spots on the tongues of German Shepherd dogs, some of them more serious than others.
Tongue Warts
The most typical form of canine tongue warts is oral papillomatosis. Under a microscope, these warts almost look like little cauliflowers.
Even if they are unpleasant to look at, these things usually clear up on their own with time.
Tongue Tumors
If a tumor appears on a dog’s tongue, it is more likely to be malignant than benign.
This isn’t always the case, though. The exception is a ranula, a cyst that frequently develops beneath the tongue. This cyst is quite swollen and uncomfortable, but it is not known if it is actually malignant.
When it comes to malignant, aka cancerous, tumors on a German Shepherd’s tongue, there are a few possible variations.
Squamous cell cancer, melanoma, granular cancer, and mast cell cancer are the four main categories of tongue cancer in canines.
The likelihood of remission and recovery is higher in German Shepherds the sooner it is found and treated.
Tongue Inflammation
Given that your dog frequently uses its tongue to explore the world, it stands to reason that on occasion, your pup may mouth, ingest, or lick something that inflames or irritates it.
Inflammation of the tongue can also be brought on by bacterial or fungal infections, harmful plants or chemicals, inadequate diet, or gastrointestinal problems.
Glossitis, another type of tongue inflammation, may be connected to conditions affecting the mouth or gums, such as stomatitis, gingivitis, or cheilitis.
Tongue Ulcers
A tongue injury is referred to as a tongue ulcer. In addition, tongue ulcerations can develop as a result of insect bites, punctures, cuts, scrapes, and burns.
When there is a more serious kidney condition or canine cancer, this is another frequent reason for tongue ulcers. While they can be painful for the dog, they are treatable.
Tongue Cyanosis
The tongue, gums, and skin of your dog may become pale or even blue in color if there is an oxygen shortage in the blood for whatever reason.
This is an extremely dangerous condition called cyanosis, and it could potentially be life-threatening. Therefore it should never be disregarded, and you should always seek prompt veterinarian attention if you suspect your dog might have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
After explaining what those weird black spots on a German Shepherd’s tongue are, and describing the potential causes, we will now turn our attention to answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the topic.
This is a selection of the queries that a lot of people have had about these black spots and it’s meant to serve as a section of the article that can provide answers at a glimpse.
Which Dog Breeds Can Get The Black Spots?
The breed standard for some dog breeds, including the Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar-Pei, calls for a blue-black tongue. On the other hand, black spots can occur in any breed but are more prevalent in those with black tips.
They are relatively common in German Shepherds, but here are some other breeds that are also known to have black spots on their tongue: the Australian Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Cocker Spaniel, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky, Tibetan Mastiff, and others.
Do All German Shepherds Have Black Spots On Their Tongue?
Not all German Shepherds will have this spot on their tongues, and the existence of the spots is not really a breed trait, or anything that reveals something about the purity of the GSD.
Most of the time it’s just a quirk of pigmentation that some dogs have, and others don’t.
Do Black Spots On Its Tongue Mean That My German Shepherd Isn’t Purebred?
There is absolutely no correlation between having black spots on the tongue and being purebred.
Both purebred German Shepherds and their various mixes (as well as many other breeds) can have these dots on their tongues.
Are The Black Spots Dangerous For My German Shepherd?
Most of the time, they are not an issue at all.
Your German Shepherd should have the same black dots on their tongue for the duration of its life.
Meaning that the tongue’s skin should have a similar texture to the rest of its surface and should be roughly the same size and color from birth.
Even if the spots might change a little on their own, a sudden appearance of a new spot on an adult dog, a change in the color or look, can be a cause for a veterinarian to examine the dog.
A medical issue has to be attended to right away if the area starts to smell bad, bleed, crack, or cause your dog to drool saliva that is pink or stained with blood.
When Should I Worry About Black Spots On My German Shepherd’s Tongue?
Tongue spots with darker pigments are natural. Call your veterinarian, however, if the spots begin to change quickly or if the texture of the area is elevated or dissimilar from the rest of the tongue or gum.
Other colors besides bluish-black and an unpleasant smell should raise suspicion because they can point to a more serious issue. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about the black patches on your dog’s tongue.
Black spots on dogs are typically nothing to be concerned about. It doesn’t imply that your GSD isn’t purebred, and it doesn’t suggest that his tongue is damaged.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering why do German Shepherds have black spots on their tongues sometimes, this article has probably answered those questions for you.
Black spots are just quirks of pigmentation and are a normal occurrence most of the time. While they can occasionally be caused by a medical issue, by and large, they are completely harmless.