Usual

• Generally, your dog should have a moist nose, according to Vetinfo.com. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), usually the nose is cool with only clear discharge. However, a sick dog can have a wet, cool nose.
  
  

Moisture

• The moisture on a dog's nose results from normal nasal passage discharge, licking and humidity. According to Washington State University, nasal discharge and sneezing due to viruses and other conditions create moisture.
  
  

Conditions

• Direct sunlight may dry or burn a dog's nose.Dackel_cool image by Hypper from Fotolia.com
  
  According to Vetinfo.com, dogs may normally have dry noses when they wake up, in hot or dry conditions or if the dog is dehydrated. Other conditions that create a dry nose include sunburn, allergies and an injury to the nose. An autoimmune disorder, pemphigus foliaceus, creates a dry nose and blisters.
  
  

Temperature

• Your dog's nose normally changes from cool to warm, depending on the external temperature and its activity level. According to the AKC, taking the dog's temperature provides more accurate information about health than a cold or warm nose.
  
  

Symptoms

• A dry, warm nose with other symptoms, such as scabs, sores, crust and loss of nose color, may indicate a problem. Consult your veterinarian if the dry nose continues for several days and the dog appears depressed, will not eat or drink or develops symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and colored or foul-smelling nasal discharge, according to Vetinfo.com.