[YellowJakesMom]

Do they normally lose pigment in other places too? It seems like this year all of the pigment on Jake's face faded to a chocolate brown from black. The rims on his eyelids, the edge of his third eyelid, his nose, and some of the mucosa in his mouth. Does all the pigment lighten in some yellows as they age? Thanks

 

[justine]

That's a good question. I haven't noticed it with Abbey yet, but this past winter was her second winter and her nose got more pink this time around.. Might be that the pigment all fades with age, but I'm not sure.

 

[Dukesdad]

Found this information on the Woodhaven Labrador (WigWag) site:

His nose has faded to pink due to age. This inevitably happens to most yellows. It is often called a "winter" or "snow" nose. The cause is a breakdown of a certain enzyme (tyrosinase) that produces pigment. As a dog ages this enzyme doesn't work as well and so the nose fades. It is also temperature dependent so the enzyme works better in the warm months of the summer thus the nose will fade back to black or purple in that season.

 

[MicksMom]

I think it depends on the dog. Our Siberian/GSD mix would lose pigment only on his nose in the cold months. His nose gradually darkened once winter was over. Each year he lost more and more pigment until the darkest his nose got in the summer was grey. Caleb, on the other hand, loses pigment not only on his nose, but in pathces on the bottom rim on his eyes as well.