Ask The Doc: Speckled Tongue

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We have a yellow lab puppy that has a speckled tongue.  The breeder said this was a desirable trait in a lab.  My friend said she thought it was evidence of some "chow" in the bloodline.  Would you please tell me if this is true because I paid a nice sum for this dog! I  love her dearly, but certainly wish to know if there is a chance she is not a predigree despite the papers from the AKC.  Have we been dupped? Your opinion will be appreciated. 

Dr DeMichael: It's OK!

What they are: It is not uncommon to find a yellow Labrador with a "speckled" tongue. Actually these are areas of pigmentation (often varying from a black to dark bluish color) scattered over the pink color of the tongue. This is a variation of normal.

What they are not: It is not evidence of any other breed (ie "Chow") in the bloodline of your AKC registered Labrador. Neither is it a desireable nor undesireable trait in the Labrador Retriever. It merely is a pigmented area on the tongue.

So I'm sorry to report that it is neither desireable or undesireable. But I am glad to report that your dog is not part Chow!