Discoloration of Lab's Tail

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#1
I am hoping there is a lab expert out there that can tell me why my chocolate lab "Gunner" has developed a patch of white hair about an inch from the base of his tail. He wasn't born with it and neither parent was blonde. He is a purebred with papers and even the breeder doesn't know what has caused it. I am starting to think that God is giving him the grey hairs he is causing me :D
 

joce

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#2
Could he have injured it? My horse had a scar that had the hair grow in white. He could have bumped it or had it stuck in a door and I'm guessing maybe even a bad bruise could cause it if it damaged the tissue enough.
 
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#3
that is what the breeder suggested but there isn't one instance that I can think of when he could have injured it. Did your horses hair stay white or did the pigment change? It's kind of a stinker because Gunner can't be shown with the discoloration
 

Fran27

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#4
My lab mix has the same problem. He got clawed (I think) on his nose and the hair grew back white. It's kinda cute, but I wonder also if it will stay white.
 
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#5
He is cute. I will probably ask the vet when Gunner goes back for his rabies shot. This is a really stupid question, but how do you create your picture collage?
 

skyhigh

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#6
I can make you a siggy gunnerzmama. Just tell me what you want and i'll make it for you. Send me some pics as well too. Also, a dog at the park has a white patch on its tail. It kinda sticks out a tiny bit. Any way, they say its just a thing that will eventually grow out. But its an old dog so i dont know. Its also getting a bit worse though. And hairier(sp?)
 

Athe

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#7
It's kind of a stinker because Gunner can't be shown with the discoloration
Do what other dog show people do, dye it. :) it might be hard to match up the right brown...but, many breeders who show black breeds dye the dogs coats for show...gets rid of that brown coat.

Here is a list of different items to review regarding discoloration of the coat. I didn't read them over...have fun :)
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1593&articleid=425
 
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#8
It could just be some random mutant gene but most likely it's an injury and yes it will stay white for the rest of his life. It happens to anything with hair/fur including humans! My boss has a tiny speck of white hair on the side of his head from where he got accidentally hit as a child (i think by a hockey stick but don't quote me on it). We also have a rescued horse who got her leg caught in barbed wire and then wasn't treated properly at all (was kept in a stall for 2years with hardly any walking so it got all stiffened up and such - but that's another story) and now she has a few random white lines all over her black sock where the barbed wire cut in.
 
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#10
Do you agree with everyone that the ALL the white hairs will stay? It's quite a large patch. He even has like 4 I've noticed on his back. Like I said it disqualifies him for showing but definitely makes him easier to identify. I appreciate everyone's input and help on this subject. I just l9ove this website.
 

bubbatd

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#11
What a sweet face !!!! There may be a back throw if he has more spots......If you had planned to show him, I'm sure you paid a hefty price and I'm sure the breeder will do some kind of adjustment.
 
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#12
Where did you aquire him from? Did you buy him as a show dog or a pet dog whom you've decided to start showing? Just curious because a responsible breeder with a puppy's faults like that would not let it go anywhere other than a pet home. Or did the spots appear after you aquired him?
 

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