What Causes Pink Noses on Dogs?
Dudley noses can develop from a variety of causes.
If you suspect that the depigmentation of the nose is linked to an underlying disease, consult your vet immediately.
I have listed the most common reasons below:
Age: As the body ages, the production of melanin decreases causing grey hair and paler skin in humans. Depigmentation of the nose is a common occurrence in senior dogs.
Weather: The snow nose is the result of weather-dependent nasal color changes and develops back to its natural state after the cold season ends.
Bacterial Infection: Infections that affect the nose result in an inflamed, crusty, or sore appearance. The nose leather may seem lighter than usual and your dog might display additional symptoms like sneezing or fever.
Injury: Cuts caused by trauma may turn pinkish in the recovery process as the healing tissue builds up.
Allergies: A skin reaction to allergies might manifest in the nose area after direct contact with the trigger. The nose might appear sore and crusty and symptoms similar to a nasal infection may develop.
Sunburn: The sensitive non-pigmented part of your dog’s nose will get sunburned if it’s excessively exposed to sunlight.
Recommended Reading: Everything you need to know about dog jowls
This color shift is a result of pigment loss, but the cause of the pigment loss is the alarming aspect. With a wide range of causes, from genetics to weather, the effects may also be temporary or permanent. Isolating the cause is crucial to identifying the proper treatment.
Let’s address the phenomenon through its causes, treatment, duration, common breeds, and the role of scientific genes.
The black button nose is a dog trademark, a trademark of pure cuteness. However, the instance of shifting from black to pink is more common than you think.
One of the largest dogs in the canine family, the Great Dane is a giant breed dog. These dogs constantly reach over 30 inches at the shoulder and easily weigh over 150 pounds. Great Danes come in many colors, and the Harlequin Great Dane will frequently have a solid pink nose or a Butterfly Nose.
This large breed dog is incredibly athletic and strong and has been bred to work as a hunting companion, assisting hunters with their quarry. The Dogo Argentino can weigh between 80 and 100 pounds and is often over two feet at the shoulder.
Pink-nosed dogs are certainly few and far between, which makes them even more special to find. While some dog breeds are born with pink noses, others have noses that turn pink as they age or pink in cold weather. Below, let’s learn more about these 18 dogs with pink noses.
The Dogo Argentino is best kept for an experienced dog owner that can provide the proper training and exercise for this large breed dog.
The Australian Shepherd can also have different nose colors, including a pink or liver-colored nose or a Butterfly Nose. The Butterfly Nose is a mix of pink and black, which commonly occurs in puppies.
Dog’s Nose Losing Black Color
Puppies are often born with pink noses. Depending on their breed, it’s likely they will outgrow this stage, and their nose will darken over time until it’s completely black. How long this takes will depend on your puppy’s breed.
There are some breeds that are more likely to be born with a pink nose than others. And some of those breeds will retain them throughout their lives.