Re: [pyrnet] Loss of Pigmentation (was Faults?)

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Sometimes, loss of pigmentation can be genetic. The all white
dogs in the US seem to have a problem with this, which is why it
is not advisable to breed an all white dog to an all white dog.
(it may be the same in other countries as well) But there are
certainly all white dogs with beautiful pigment that get "snow
nose" in the winter. Bo had beautiful, full black pigment until I
switched to hard plastic bowls. After about a month, his nose
pigment began to fade. If I had switched back to stainless steel
or crockery sooner than I did, he may have gotten all of his
pigment back, but as it stands, he still has a poorly pigmented
nose. However, his eye rims and lips are still quite black. My
sister switched to hard plastic when her bitch was 3 years old.
Maggie has the darkest of pigment. After a couple of months, her
pigment on her eyes and lips started to fade to a liver color.
Getting rid of the plastic brought the pigment back. Bo is all
white and Maggie is marked. This may not affect all dogs the
same, and it probably has a lot to do with genetic
predisposition, but plastic bowls can make a difference.

Barb Bowes
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs), Flopsy (Pyr Shep) & Machin (Doxie)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com