For what it's worth, my German GSD has an obvious black spot on his tongue, but he sure looks like a GSD to me, as did his parents.

But you misunderstood. I never advised ANYONE, nor would I ever, to allow or encourage their dog to 'contend' with another. I teach my dogs not to fight back. I do think the advise of rough play and tug to encourage a dog to fight back is... different... I don't, however, feel the need to squish people's nose in their advice, and I also think the original poster of this idea meant it as simply a means to build confidence, not make his dog a fighting champion. My only input was that this statement by you

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Playing ROUGH wrestling games & tug-o-war with a powerful dog of this breeding is a recipe for disaster <:-(

Why? Because the animal will be stronger than the owner & will learn to WIN at rough-housing --

is not true unless the person in charge is a complete incompetant. These types of things should never be attempted without rules.

Feel free to get the last word in. This topic has gone far enough.

Polly, I've also heard that a tongue injury or damage could cause it, and also that akita's can have purple spotted tongues. My gsd mix doesn't act like a gsd. He's ferrel acting. The strangest dog I've seen. In trying to understand him it would have helped to know exactly what breed mixes he was. So, I read about all the possible breeds and used that info. to assist.

Beth,

Thanks for clarifying!

I'm surprised you were held responsible for someone else's irresponsibility.

In reading my previous posts I can clearly see that I let my Heart do the typing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> and not my head <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I really loved those dogs! But on the other hand, my GSD's are my passion <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hey Jenni, my Zorba had a black spot on his tongue too. I have seen lots of GSD's with them. Also black gums.

Anne -

Nice reply! When my pit sees me pick up the tug she falls into a nice close heel and a prancing like walk....how do I get her to repeat this posture when we are on a walk outside without the tug? She stays close but tends to get out in front, I then have to correct her to get her back on my side like she does when we train. Is it unfair to expect her to tightly heel on a walk for excersize, or should I always demand the same kind of results no matter what? Is it a good idea to take the tug on a walk, or should it always be saved for training?

I use tug of war for a great close to a training session and when I am done she releases...I don't want to mess this up, I want her to enjoy her walks but not sure if she should be as rigid as when we train, any input would be appreciated.

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Barbara, I'll ignore your sarcasm and reply sincerely. I don't know much about black tongues, except that several (40%ish) of the European GSDs I'm in close contact with have black on some portion of their tongues. I think it probably has to do with pigment, and little, if anything, else. Caleb is black, black, black. Eyes so dark you can't tell if they're open or closed in low light, black gums, nails, everything. Black spots on tongue. He looks about as much like a Chow as you do (don't know what you look like-just betting), yet people ask if he's part chow when he yawns and they see his tongue. It gets a little annoying...about as annoying as "Oh, what cute ears on a lab."

I didn't see your response here. Sorry for my sarcasm Jenni, I thought you were starting with me too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> This thread has gotten ridiculous and I owe you an apology.

Now that you mention people thinking your dog is a chow, I see the reason for your pet peeve. A lab too? I've gotten some idiotic guesses with mine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It's kind of funny... now that it doesn't happen much anymore, lol.

No,thankfully I don't look like a chow. If I had to be a dog it would have to be a brindle mastiff <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Unfortunately that test that was so popular here didn't agree <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />