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luv_my_yorkies · 05-15-2008, 06:43 AM

The same thing happened to Valentino about a year ago and I did some research. He had "winter nose" and sure enough when the weather broke and we started going back outside more and being in the sun, it changed back to black. This may be what your pup has too.

Here is what I found on the AKC site in the "ASK AKC" section...hope it helps.
American Kennel Club - AKC Syndicate Ask AKC

"Dear Lisa: My two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever usually has a black nose but this winter it turned a very light pink. His nose is not dry, but looks like someone drained the color out of it. What causes this? Is there anything I can do to fix it? – In the Pink

Dear Pink: Whenever your dog’s nose becomes something other than the cold wet nose they are famous for, take note and decide whether a trip to the vet is called for. A dog’s nose that becomes dry and cracked or changes color is cause for further investigation. It may be a symptom of some more serious problem.

Most likely, what your dog is experiencing is something called “winter nose” or “snow nose” and it affects many breeds, including Labradors, some northern breeds and even smaller dogs like terriers. A normally black nose will fade during the colder, shorter daylight hours of winter. The dark pigment will return when the days are longer and the weather warms up. Dogs are known to repeat this process year after year.

There is no definitive answer for why this happens, but several observations have been made and a few theories bandied about. One notable observation is that this condition happens to dogs in warmer climates, so the cold temperature most likely isn’t as big a factor in triggering it. Perhaps the length of daylight associated with colder weather plays a part. And some researchers and breeders believe there may be a genetic component to this condition. The temporary loss of pigment is not anything that is harmful to the dog and there is no “cure” or fix for it, short of coloring it with make-up, which I don’t recommend. But you can check to see if your dog has a permanent loss of color to his nose.

05-15-2008, 06:43 AM	#6
luv_my_yorkies Love at first bark Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 677	The same thing happened to Valentino about a year ago and I did some research. He had "winter nose" and sure enough when the weather broke and we started going back outside more and being in the sun, it changed back to black. This may be what your pup has too. Here is what I found on the AKC site in the "ASK AKC" section...hope it helps. American Kennel Club - AKC Syndicate Ask AKC "Dear Lisa: My two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever usually has a black nose but this winter it turned a very light pink. His nose is not dry, but looks like someone drained the color out of it. What causes this? Is there anything I can do to fix it? – In the Pink Dear Pink: Whenever your dog’s nose becomes something other than the cold wet nose they are famous for, take note and decide whether a trip to the vet is called for. A dog’s nose that becomes dry and cracked or changes color is cause for further investigation. It may be a symptom of some more serious problem. Most likely, what your dog is experiencing is something called “winter nose” or “snow nose” and it affects many breeds, including Labradors, some northern breeds and even smaller dogs like terriers. A normally black nose will fade during the colder, shorter daylight hours of winter. The dark pigment will return when the days are longer and the weather warms up. Dogs are known to repeat this process year after year. There is no definitive answer for why this happens, but several observations have been made and a few theories bandied about. One notable observation is that this condition happens to dogs in warmer climates, so the cold temperature most likely isn’t as big a factor in triggering it. Perhaps the length of daylight associated with colder weather plays a part. And some researchers and breeders believe there may be a genetic component to this condition. The temporary loss of pigment is not anything that is harmful to the dog and there is no “cure” or fix for it, short of coloring it with make-up, which I don’t recommend. But you can check to see if your dog has a permanent loss of color to his nose. __________________ My loves, my angels, my Yorkies. Valentino, Lolita, and Coquette!