Change of Tan

[Jean Collins]

Here's a question for all of you knowlegable people! I have a bitch who has recently had a litter and despite having a lovely tan, some of the tan on her muzzle has gone black. This has never happened to me before. Is it hormonal? Will it return? Is it from cleaning up after the pups?

Look forward to hearing what you think!

Great weather here in England, almost too hot for the dogs. Off to the Field Trials next week in the North of England on grouse, hope it goes cooler then!

All the best,

Jean

Amscot Gordon Setters

[yvonne]

sorry , cannot help you

weather here also too hot for the doggies but also for me

[Debbie Boyd]

I don't know what causes it but have seen it before and the colour definitely returns within a couple of months. I have included a before and after picture... sorry I don't have one after the colour came back but it was the same as the before picture. I do wonder if it is hormonal as I have seen the same darkening after spay but thought it was an aging effect? Debbie

[Jean Collins]

Hi Debbie, that is absolutely it! I've had some encouraging responses now so hopefully it will return.

Thanks. have a good day!

Hi Yvonne!

jean

[Gadhelic]

One of my bitches did that, it came back after a while. I also noticed from then on every time she was due in season her muzzle would darken, it was quite handy really - I could figure out if it was worth entering her at shows or not !

Carol

[Marcella]

I've never seen it before.. or I've never noticed it before maybe. Our Willow has a litter at the moment I'll keep an eye on her tan from now, see if it changes. But it's good to hear that it changes back to her normal tan after a while so it's not a thing to worry about.

[Karen]

Hi Jean, It is hormonal, I have seen it in many bitches that are due in season, the muzzles darken and go black, this clears after the season, so I would assume would clear after whelping. One of our top breeders told me about it years ago when I commented on her bitch!!