My Dog’s Coat Is Changing Color

My dog’s coat is changing color.  Puppies of all different breeds have coats that change colors as the pup matures. For instance, they will most likely be a different color as adult dogs. There are many reasons why a dog’s coat changes color.  In this article, I will discuss the different reasons my dog’s coat is changing color.

Puppy Coat Color Change

Many puppies can change colors as they mature.  There are different breeds that change color more than others.  Poodles, for instance, are born one color but as they mature, they become a different color.  Also, a lot of puppy coat color change takes place in breeds that are mixed with poodles.  For instance, my Grandson has a 4-year-old multi-poo.  Spencer (the pup’s name) was a golden-brown color as a pup.  Now he is almost all white.  He has some darker almost black color on the tips of his ears but mainly he turned all white by the time he was one year old.

My parents also had a Lhasa Apso.  Buddy (their dog’s name) had a puppy coat color change also.  For instance, he also was brown mixed with white but mostly brown when they bought him. Buddy’s puppy coat color changed by the time he was a year old, which also made him look like a different dog.  Someone who saw him as a pup then a year later did not know he was the same dog.  Buddy also became almost all white.  He had a little darker fur on his ears and a brown spot on his back.

There are a number of other breeds that have puppy color coat changes. Especially the puppies mixed with poodles.  If you have your heart set on a specific color dog that could have a dramatic color change, it is suggested that you check with the breeder as to what puppy coat color change can be expected.

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Dog Fur Changing Color

It might be surprising that my dog’s coat is changing color.  There are a number of different reasons other than a puppy dog’s fur changing color.  We will touch on some of those reasons here:

1. As we have stated as a puppy transitions to an adult dog its fur will undergo many changes. For instance, as they shed their adult coat may come in a different color from that which it was born with.
2. Agouti coats: This is a coat that has the color of wolves and other types of wild animals.  The coat has bands of different colors of black tips and some change to yellow or gray.  These coats change colors as the dog matures.
3. Seasons: Dogs’ coats can change colors in summer and winter. As the seasons change the dog’s coat may also change colors.  This can happen as the dog spends more time outside in the summer months or inside more in the winter months. For instance, their coats will become lighter as they spend more time in the sun.  On the other hand, their coats can become darker in the winter as the sun does not add highlights to them.
4. Stress: A dog’s coat can be affected by stress.  They may have excessive shedding and loss of fur.  If the dog sheds a lot and the undercoat is exposed, it may be a different color.   Dog fur’s changing color can be related to changes in the environment. However, their daily routine can cause the dog to be under stress.  Signs of stress are often clinginess, whining more than usual, and refusing to eat as normal.  This can result in dog fur changing colors.  However, as the anxiety reduces, and the dog settles down the coat should return to its normal state.

 Other Reasons My Dog’s Coat Is Changing Color

5. Trauma: If a dog has been injured the fur around the site may be darker than the rest of the fur as it heals.
6. Nutritional Deficiencies: if a dog is not getting the required amount of good nutrition, it will affect its coat. Dogs need to have the proper amount of vitamins and minerals.  Protein and fat are very important for a dog’s coat.  The dog can have a loss of hair and the color of their coats may become dull.
7. Medical reasons: Many times you can say my dog’s coat is changing colors for medical reasons. For instance, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and infections can cause this situation.  Some cancers can also cause color changes.
8. Hormonal problems like Hypothyroidism can cause dog fur changing color. For instance, as a female dog reaches her breeding cycle this may be a reason for her to change colors.
9. Stains on a dog’s fur are usually caused by its saliva. This can cause brown spots on white dogs. For instance, Saint Bernard’s excessive drooling can cause the fur under their chin to be permanently stained.
10. Exposure to the Sun: As previously stated a dog’s fur changing color can also be a result of the dog spending a lot of time in the sun. Just as a lot of sun exposure can bleach a person’s hair it can also bleach a dog’s fur.

Dog Hair Changing Color

As with people, there is dog hair changing color as the dog ages. Their fur can change texture just like humans. As the dog matures, they lose the darker pigmentation in the coat and their hair will normally turn grey or lighter just like humans do. However, they do not turn grey or white all over their bodies. Usually, the muzzle will start to have grey hairs especially if they are a black or dark dog. Then the grey hairs may be seen scattered throughout their coats. Lighter-haired dogs also change colors in the muzzle area as they grow older.  Our Collie, for instance, his muzzle is actually turning whiter and whiter as he matures.

Read more about Pug Coat Types: The Most Popular Shades Of Wrinkle-Faced Pals.

Conclusion

As we can see a dog’s coat can change colors for a number of reasons other than old age. We have seen that there are many new owners who have not done their homework about a certain breed and they are surprised to see that their puppy is changing colors. It is perfectly normal for puppies from some breeds to be born one color and by the time they reach adulthood to be a totally different color.

It would therefore be a good idea for new owners to do some homework as far as the color of their pup is concerned. We have also explored that dogs also can have a number of other reasons why a person can say “My dog’s coat is changing color”.

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