What is it that is so fascinating about a dog’s nose? Who knows (pun intended), but they are certainly interesting looking.
The majority of dogs have black noses, though they can range through brown to pale pink. The darker the nose, the more pigment in the skin. Some dogs also have patches that are a different color on their noses. They can be born with these, it is quite common in Collies, and it can occur as the result of dings in any dog.
Some dogs that are born with black noses will slowly over the years lose pigmentation; their noses can become brown or even end up with almost a complete loss of pigmentation. In a few dogs the pigment may return. This depigmentation syndrome is often called Dudley nose, and is most common in Doberman Pinschers, Poodles, Irish Setters, Pointers, Samoyeds and White German Shepherds.
Did you know that some dogs will have more pigmentation in their nose in the summer and that the pigmentation will fade to a lighter color in the winter? This is called Snow Nose and is common in a number of breeds including Siberian Huskies, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers.
If your dog has areas with reduced pigment or a pale pink nose with little pigment and you live in a climate that has strong sunlight in the summer or are in the snow at high altitudes in winter, then if the dog is going to be in the sun for an extended period, it is a good idea to put some sunscreen on the nose. As for humans, sunscreen should be applied about 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
If there is repeated sunburn on a dog’s nose it can become irritated, hair will fall out at the junction of the smooth area and the rest of the muzzle. This can become ulcerated and covered in crusty scabs. This is known as Nasal Solar Dermatitis or Collie Nose. It is painful and the nose will never fully recover. It increases the risk of skin cancer. Collie Nose is most likely to develop in dogs that have patches on their noses with will little or no pigment, which is most frequently seen in breeds such as Collies, Shetland Sheep Dogs and Australian Shepherds.
Loss of pigment in a dog’s nose can be caused by eating and/or drinking from plastic or rubber bowls that contain the chemical p-benzylhydroquinone. This chemical is absorbed through the skin and stops the formation of melanin. Many vets recommend using stainless steel, glass or ceramic bowls instead of plastic to eliminate the possibility of Plastic Dish Nasal Dermatitis. (Ironically, some of the anti-aging creams that reduce sun spots do the same thing though by different chemicals and mechanisms – so some anti-aging creams are causing Plastic Bowl Dermatitis.) If you think your dog might be having a reaction to their plastic bowl, with continued exposure the skin will become irritated and swollen, so replace the bowl.
If your dog’s nose has fairly rapidly lost areas of pigment take your dog to the vet. Loss of nose pigment is a symptom of several autoimmune several diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can be effective at controlling most of these diseases.
Bet you start looking at the color of noses of dogs more closely now.
photo credit: blumenbiene
