Ok, so my dog's changing colors....

[Dave2112]

My dog is weird. I know this. I've had a lot of dogs, among other animals, and while I've seen them go through a few little coat changes here and there as time goes by, I've never seen anything like this.

When I got him, he was jet black with exactly 17 little white hairs over his butt. (Yes, I counted them, I was curious and bored.) Those white hairs started to pop up all along his back until he got to where he is now. It only took about two months or so, but now he's got a noticeable grey patch from the back of his neck and down to the middle of his back.

Now, I've seen dogs go grey, especially around the muzzle and ears, as they get older...but Chewie just turned 2 back in September. It was like you could almost see it spread.

And now...his face is turning red. His abundant facial hair, his "mustache and beard", the hairy ears...all of it is turning a shade of noticeable red.

Affenpinschers are a bit of a strange breed, being the original terrier and the world's first "toy" breed. (I still don't know why the AKC classifies Affies as "toys", they're husky and heavier than any other toy breed I can think of, about the size of a non-toy beagle.) Maybe it's the genetic stock that all those other terriers were bred off of.

Has anyone else seen thier dog just spontaneously change colors or coat patterns? I don't think it's anything I need to concern myself over, but it is strange.

 

[Swizzle Stick!]

My first thought when I read the subject was what have you done now? I thought you spraypainted your dog.

I've never seen that happen in animal but it's common with humans and their hair changing color as they get older.

 

[Saeria]

I had a chihuahua/shih tzu mix that changed colors with the seasons, she turned darker in the winter and almost white blonde in the summer. I'm pretty sure it's normal. I awa a few affies at the kennel i worked at and they all kinda appeared to have an amalgamated coat.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

Cool.

 

[heyoka]

Dave, until you got to the red face part, I was picturing what would end up looking like a skunk stripe and was going to make a silly crack. But, I'll be good...for now.

 

[DimpleToes]

my min-pin is a "Red" with black nose.. he nise is turning colors. has a tan streak going downit now and a white stripe going up her snout.. and has gotten a white patch on her chest... she is only 8mo old.. she is changing quickly

 

[Dussicar]

That kind of thing happens a lot more than most people would think.

I have seen dogs who's fur is jet black turn smokey grey.

Or a muzzle that turns stark white after only two months of a pup's life.

Hell, drastic, or odd change isn't regulated to the canine world, either. My cat, Midnight had crystal blue eyes when she was a kitten. When she became a year old, they abruptly turned to a blazing gold colour.

 

[Musicroxmysox]

Thats kind of cool, as long as it's not harming him or anything like that.

 

[ParanoidChant]

A'ight, a'ight, so here's what you do:

You should begin documenting this coat change. You know, just take a few pics of your pooch every few months or so to see if this coloration continues. It'd be somthin' to do for the helluvit, more than anything, and I bet ya it'd be more interesting than counting butt hairs.

 

[Dave2112]

Dave, until you got to the red face part, I was picturing what would end up looking like a skunk stripe and was going to make a silly crack. But, I'll be good...for now.

No, it's ok! I've been calling him my little skunk for some time now. I actually think it's cool. While not nearly as noticeable or distinct, it reminds me of "Hosehead" the dog from "Strange Brew". 😉

My first thought when I read the subject was what have you done now?

Why does everybody always think this?

Wait.

Oh yeah.....


Nah, it's nothing that's of concern, but I do find it interesting. While color changes in dogs do happen, I've just never seen it this fast. Greying from a black coat, yeah....but red on a black face?

Well, he is my dog. 😉

 

[..Glamorous..]

Oh my lord. That was disturbing. You must have been REALLY bored Dave.

Maybe your the reason for all the doggie grays! LOL.

 

[Dave2112]

This is quite possibly true..... 😉

 

[drew70]

I have an 11-year old black lab who now has white "beard." I've never seen a black dog change his face to red. Probably just a trait of the breed.

What's interesting are the white tail deer that commute through my yard daily. They change color with the season. During the summer their coats are like an auburn reddish brown. During the winter they turn to grey with maybe a tiny bit of brown mixed in. I think it's a natural camoflauge that helps protect them from predators.
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[venray]

Ok, so my dog's changing colors....

There are always color changes involved with LSD flashbacks Bro...

You needn't worry until he starts doing this....

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