What is Winter Nose?

• Winter nose, or hypopigmentation, is a seasonal condition that occurs in some dogs. No one really knows what causes winter nose or snow nose, according to Dr. Mike Richards, a veterinarian with VetInfo, although the amount of sunlight or heat may play a role. It is not considered to be linked to a disease.
  
  

Which Breeds Get Winter Nose?

• Many breeds and mixed breeds can get winter nose, but it is most common with light-coated dogs. Some dog breeds such as Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and Bernese mountain dogs seem to have a predilection for having winter nose.
  
  

Time Frame

• Winter nose usually starts around midfall, when the nose begins to gradually lighten, and continues until midspring, when the nose darkens to its normal pigmentation.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Winter nose is not a harmful condition, although some pet owners might be worried about the change. Richards says it's extremely unlikely that home remedy attempts to darken the nose would be worth the effort, as the condition is temporary and spontaneously corrects itself with the change of the seasons anyway. Although it is called "snow nose," snow needn't be present for the change to occur.
  
  

Warning

• Other conditions can cause lack of pigmentation in a dog's nose, including vitiligo, which can be linked to an auto-immune disorder; contact dermatitis, often caused by feeding from plastic dishes; discoid lupus; and pemphigus. If your dog's nose loses its color in the summer or does not return to normal, you may wish to have a veterinarian examine your dog.