Dog Breeds With Blue Tongues: Chow Chow And Shar Pei
There are many different and sometimes contradicting theories about the origins of dog breeds with blue tongues.
From spiritual legends to scientific hypotheses: the explanation for this specific gene is arguably a little more complicated than it initially seems.
Blue Tongue Dog Breeds: What Does Science Say About This?
In the structure of the tongue there are tiny vascular endings that form a single layer.
The blood that flows through the tongue is full of oxygen. This is why most dogs and other mammals have pink tongues.
Specialists claim that breeds of dogs with blue tongues were created through a natural genetic change.
That explains why this strange gene is present in so few species. It does not adversely affect the health of the animal.
It has not yet been possible to determine whether the genetic change was an adaptation caused by evolution. Perhaps the genetic structure changed accidentally during some stage of its development.
Theories About Melanin
One theory suggests that certain breeds of dogs, as well as other types of animals, produce higher levels of melanin.
This well-known substance is responsible for the coloring of the skin and fur in mammals. An increased melanin production could explain a more intense coloring of the tongue.
Another theory, however, suggests that blue-tongue dog breeds are low on tyrosine. As a result, your body cannot produce enough melanin to properly color your body.
Chinese mythology has its own theory
If we want to look at the matter from a somewhat more mythological point of view, we can also consult a Chinese legend which speaks about the origin of the Chow Chow.
After that , the Chow Chow is a dragon dog who loved the day but hated the night. One night he was fed up with the darkness and resolved to lick the whole sky so that it would be day forever.
The gods did not agree with his plan.
Because of this, they punished him forever with a dark tongue. So the Chow Chow is reminded of his shameful act every day. After all, it was a dog trying to contradict the gods.
What breeds of dogs with a blue tongue are there?
The Shar Pei and the Chow Chow are the two breeds of dogs with blue tongues. In both races, the gene responsible for the blue tongue is dominant.
The “blue gene” is so prominent in the Chow Chow that some of them have purple or almost black tongues.
The Chow Chow: a protector of the sacred temples
Chow Chow literally means “bloated lion”.
They may seem like giant teddy bears, but the Chow Chows are the true heirs of the Asian wolves.
It is true, however, that their beautiful and thick fur, large head and blue tongue make them really attractive fur noses.
He actually comes from China, where he has been used throughout history to protect his home, fields and sacred temples in the country.
He also accompanied the men on the hunt. Nowadays he is known all over the world as a pet.
His body is perfectly made to deal with the cold and weather conditions in China.
It is compact, robust and has a thick layer of fat that covers its entire body. This thermal insulation is supplemented by its dense, reddish fur.
The Shar Pei and its famous folds
Shar Pei and Chow Chow share so many similarities that some genetic theories claim they could be related.
Not only do they have the blue tongue in common, but their physique – apart from their fur – is very similar. Even their expressions and their hunting and protective instincts are similar.
The Shar Pei has short fur and wrinkles on its body. In puppies, the wrinkles are even more visible as they have to grow into their skin first.
Nowadays it is known that the Shar Pei people have been around since the third century BC. Chr. Accompanied.
Ceramic objects from this period were found that represented a Shar Pei. So we can be sure that these animals were very important even then.
Since its origins, the Shar Pei has been used to tend sheep and the house, but also to hunt. The Chinese farmers found in him the perfect ally to keep predators away from their farm.
