Good morning. I am a new Schnauzer owner. We have had Minnie since October and she will be one in August.
She was a black puppy but turned full silver. We have had her groomed multiple times.
In the last month her silver fur is showing patches of black. The black fur is a different texture. Is this normal? Anybody know what it means? It started out with one patch and more are cropping up. The photo of her in front of the playpen is right before the black started showing up. The photo in the red harness is when we first got her.
Schnauzer Fur Color
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Re: Schnauzer Fur Color
Welcome to the Forum, Kim
A schnauzer’s hair colour can change if it is clipped rather than hand stripped as the former method of grooming removes the harsh top coat and leaves the softer undercoat which can be very pale in comparison. It is not uncommon for a dark puppy to become much lighter in colour over time if her coat is clipped. However, from the photos it almost looks as though in Minnie’s case the light fur is falling out to reveal the dark patches.
If this is the case, I would take Minnie to the vet for a check up as there are a variety of causes for a dog’s hair to fall out in patches and she may need treatment or a change of diet. It is not possible to speculate on the cause and would need a professional diagnosis. There are a couple of links here which may show what I mean but you definitely need to see a vet if you think this could be the case:
https://willows.uk.net/specialist-servi ... -alopecia/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_alopecia
If the hair is not falling out in patches but just darkening as it grows, I would speak to Minnie’s breeder as s/he may be able to offer some advice from knowledge of the pedigree. If you have Minnie’s full registered Kennel name, you could also check her pedigree online , if you are in the U.K. through the Kennel Club website, as she may have dogs in her ancestry that are a different colour and this is leading to an unusual coat pattern.
A schnauzer’s hair colour can change if it is clipped rather than hand stripped as the former method of grooming removes the harsh top coat and leaves the softer undercoat which can be very pale in comparison. It is not uncommon for a dark puppy to become much lighter in colour over time if her coat is clipped. However, from the photos it almost looks as though in Minnie’s case the light fur is falling out to reveal the dark patches.
If this is the case, I would take Minnie to the vet for a check up as there are a variety of causes for a dog’s hair to fall out in patches and she may need treatment or a change of diet. It is not possible to speculate on the cause and would need a professional diagnosis. There are a couple of links here which may show what I mean but you definitely need to see a vet if you think this could be the case:
https://willows.uk.net/specialist-servi ... -alopecia/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_alopecia
If the hair is not falling out in patches but just darkening as it grows, I would speak to Minnie’s breeder as s/he may be able to offer some advice from knowledge of the pedigree. If you have Minnie’s full registered Kennel name, you could also check her pedigree online , if you are in the U.K. through the Kennel Club website, as she may have dogs in her ancestry that are a different colour and this is leading to an unusual coat pattern.
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
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Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud
https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/C ... 916994967/
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Re: Schnauzer Fur Color
Thank you! She is not an AKC pup. The breeder did say she has sent his on dogs before and that Minnie’s parents and grandparents have black or silver fur. We have an appointment with the vet next week.