Why do some dogs stick out their tongues ALOT?

[linderbelle]

She's always stuck out her tongue ALOT. Why do they do this?


As you can see she's feeling a bit better and getting a little bored with this situation.

[Cathy T]

Don't know...but goodness she's cute!! So glad to hear she's feeling so much better.

[Joshua]

I love it when Josh sticks out his tongue -- maybe cuz it's so rare! He does it when he's really happy and enjoying really vigorous play! Cute pic!

[Jasperxxgabby]

Aww Abbey is gorgeous .

So glad to hear she is feeling better .

[linderbelle]

thank you. We're very glad also. We see her personality coming out finally. I'm sure once she's able to run and jump around we'll have our dear Abbey once again. Amazing how just one week ago I was a basket case and now I'm happy go lucky again--lol.

[Karlin]

If her tongue hangs out all the time, talk to your vet -- there can be an actual inability for the dog to control its tongue -- I know of this problem affecting a dog but can't remember what causes it --nerve damage perhaps? Might be a consequence of SM? Don't think it is anything to cause worry, more a cosmetic appearance thing, but you might have a chat with your vet next time you are in just to see what s/he thinks.

[cy1266]

Truman sticks his tongue out REALLY far right before he yawns, it's kind of cute. Miles doesn't do that at all...does Abbey do this right before she yawns or she just sticks her tongue out at random times?

[linderbelle]

No not all the time but definitely alot we used to say it was her saying "I'm cute--look at me". Who knows though. At this stage nothing would surprise me. Definitely going to mention it the next time to the vet etc. I'm going to have to pay more attention to it to just see how much she does do it. She has always done it so we're definitely used to it.

[Pat]

Linda - I've noticed that before in Abbey's photos. My experience with this is with older dogs who have lost teeth and so their tongues hang out to some extent for that reason. I've had an old Cavalier girl who actually had a very dry tongue as a consequence - her tongue was always hanging three or four inches out of the side of her mouth - and she was a tiny little thing. My guess is that perhaps as a consequence of her SM, Abbey holds her jaws a particular way that allows her tongue to slip out rather than her purposefully sticking her tongue out - in other words, it's involuntary. I agree that I'd ask the neurologist this when you have a follow up visit. I also think that it is a cosmetic thing only and shouldn't have other consequences or cause a lot of worry.

Pat

[*Pauline*]

Oh, love her, she is pretty. She looks good there Linda. Does she protest at being in the play pen?

Oh sorry I missed what you wrote under her picture. Bless her, it must be frustrating for her not playing with the other dogs.