Some dog breeds have unusually long tongues, and it’s not just because of their looks. There are multiple reasons for this, and you will find out all about them soon!
When summer comes, dogs do all sorts of things to cool down and rest. One of the most common reflexes is sticking out their tongues. The interesting thing is that they don’t all look the same when they do it.
For example, why do Corgis have long tongues? You’ll be surprised to learn that this has to do with their daily activities and how they evolved.
Don’t go anywhere. Scroll down and find out why your Corgi has a long tongue, why it sticks out – and many more facts about this dog breed.
Here, we’re not tongue-tied, and that means more interesting info for you!
The Reasons Behind My Corgi’s Long Tongue
If you’ve been reading about Corgi history, then you probably know that these were some serious herding dogs back in the day. They weren’t always like this. And while they didn’t increase in size over time, some other features took a turn for the better.
Their ears got even fluffier, and their tongues got longer. We’re only interested in the second part, though.
To set the record straight, there are two main reasons why Corgis have long tongues. It is important to note that both of them are related to your Corgi’s daily activities.
Your Corgi Needs To Cool Down
You could have guessed this one for sure. Imagine that it is 100 degrees outside (as it is now, for example) and that your Corgi is tired of running around your yard, the park, or even your living room.
It desperately needs to cool down, so what does it do? It sticks its tongue out.
Bingo!
Like many other dog breeds, Corgis will stick out their tongues when they get tired of running or simply when they feel hot.
Of course, they will feel hot under that thick coat.
When they stick their tongues out, certain dog breeds can drool a lot, which can create quite a mess. However, this is not the case with Corgis. Their tongues are long, but they don’t have a “drooling problem.”
You’re safe from mopping the floors 24/7!
To make things clear, this is the primary reflex for lowering body temperature and probably something that you will witness many times – especially during the summer.
So, if you’ve been running with your Corgi, and it stops to catch a breath and sticks its tongue out, you should probably pop out a bottle of water.
That’s my sincere advice!
Having figured out the first reason, it’s time to move on to the next. The second one is not related to temperature, but it has to do with the appearance of your Corgi.
Your Corgi Is Grooming Itself
Okay, this one was pretty obvious too. But let’s explain it anyway.
You must have seen a cat lick its hair with its tongue, making it look “slick.” Well, most dog breeds do this too.
Corgis fall into this category, too. And they have a lot of work to do, given all that shedding twice a year and the thickness of their coat.
Is there a specific time when your Corgi does this? Not really. That is an occasional habit that helps your corgi “fix” its coat or remove something bothering it.
The latter could be a bit dangerous to your Corgi’s health, depending on what it managed to remove from the coat. But we’ll get to that later.
Most importantly, we answered the question, “Do Corgis have long tongues?”
I mean, you must have noticed it by now!
Health-Related Issues
As I have already suggested, the length of the tongue can be an indicator of an underlying condition. But on the plus side, dogs with longer tongues make it easier for the owner to determine whether something is wrong health-wise by checking the color.
If your Corgi has a long tongue and you can see that it has an unusual color, it would be helpful to find out what each of them indicates.
| Red | Blue | Yellow | Pale | Dark Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infection | Heart problems | Bladder problems | Anemia | Melanoma |
| Diabetes | Toxicosis | Kidney problems | Leukemia | / |
| Fever | Liver disease | Gastritis | / | / |
| Cancer | Hepatitis | Jaundice | / | / |
Indeed, you are familiar with most of these diseases, and you know how dangerous they can be for your Corgi.
If you want to learn more, check out: How To Care For A Corgi?
Does My Corgi Have A Black Tongue?
Take a closer look at your Corgi. If you’ve meant to ask something like, “do Corgis have black tongues” you should listen to what I have to say now.
Breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog, Chow-Chow, and Akita all have naturally black tongues. It’s important to note that this is typical for their species.
So, if you’ve noticed that your Corgi’s tongue is looking blackish, this could be the result of pigmentation or dog food it ate minutes before you noticed the change in color.
So, unless you come across some uncommon tongue colors, such as yellow or blue, there’s no room for panic!
My Corgi Is Licking Everything! Why?
Okay.
So far, we have determined that Corgis have long tongues and that they are mainly used for grooming and cooling down.
Alongside the same lines, you might’ve noticed that your Corgi has been licking everything recently. If you thought that this behavior was rather strange, you might be onto something.
There are many other habits that you do not know about yet.
Let’s list them down.
1. A Sign Of Affection
This one was pretty obvious, don’t you think? But still, it’s definitely worth mentioning. By licking you and your face mostly, dogs show their affection.
It’s their way of saying, “I really like you, human!” and we can all agree that this act of love can brighten up one’s day.
This way, you will be able to see if and how much you mean to your pet.
2. Seeking Attention
It’s one thing when your Corgi expresses its love by licking, but when it uses this to get your attention, you know it’s something you’re responsible for in a way.
It doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but if you reward their affection-showing acts with treats or cuddling, you shouldn’t be surprised if this turns into a habit.
It’s sweet, but it can get on your nerves really fast. Imagine you’re getting ready to go out, and your Corgi suddenly feels the urge to come and lick your face.
There goes your hair and make-up!
3. Stress Or Anxiety
Licking doesn’t always have a bad context, but you should know that it’s not just associated with showing love and affection. Sometimes, it can result from the stress and anxiety that your Corgi feels.
Even though Corgis are naturally a very playful and friendly dog breed, various triggers can cause them to lick excessively.
There are tons of causes for this, and one of them is separation anxiety. Have you ever heard of it?
4. Infections Or Allergies
When I mentioned the two main reasons for a long tongue, I said that one of them was for grooming purposes.
Your dog will occasionally lick its coat to make it look sleek and smooth. However, there is a moment when this behavior crosses the line. And when that happens, it’s definitely a reason for concern.
Your dog may start licking its coat because of infections or even skin allergies. It would be best to take a look at your Corgi right away, and if you notice anything on the surface of the coat, take it straight to the vet.
Does My Corgi Have Pica?
Sometimes, the reason a dog licks everything around you doesn’t have to do with health or affection. Another option may suggest that your Corgi suffers from pica.
Simply put, pica is a condition that makes your dog addicted to licking every item that is not food. If that’s the case, you will see your Corgi licking absolutely everything – the floor, vases, furniture, curtains, pillows, etc.
How to make this stop? Well, since it’s not a health problem, you’ll have to rely on behavior modification.
That can take a while, though, depending on how stubborn your Corgi is.
Facts You Didn’t Know About Dog Tongues
Believe it or not, there are tons of fascinating facts related to dog tongues. So, I will take this opportunity to end this article with an exciting segment.
Check out these dog facts:
1. Dog Tongues Are Not Cleaner Than Human Tongues
Many people claim that dog tongues are cleaner than human tongues, but experts are here to knock down this superstition and point out the truth. There’s almost no difference between the two. Both the dog’s and human’s tongues have about 600 bacteria.
Does that seem clean to you? I didn’t think so.
2. Some Dogs Are Born With Too Long Tongues
Sure, we’ve established that Corgis have long tongues, but some dogs are born with tongues protruding from their mouths.
These are unique cases, but the breed that is most susceptible to this is the Boxer. After you think about it for a second, you will surely agree with me.
So what do they do with these extra-long tongues? Nothing, they learn to live with it. They also tend to drool a lot more than Corgis.
3. A Dog’s Tongue Can Influence Barking
I bet you didn’t know about this one. Apparently, the inner structure of the mouth and the size of the tongue can affect how loud a dog can bark.
To put it more precisely, the difference in barking comes from the amount of saliva that is collected in the dog’s mouth at that moment.
