Why does my Lab puppy have gray hair?

Why does my Lab puppy have gray hair?

Like humans, dogs tend to go gray as part of their natural aging process. And just like us, as dogs get older, the pigment cells responsible for color (specifically, melanin) stop being produced; this causes the strands to come out at a lighter shade, like gray or white.

What age do dogs show GREY hair?

5 years old
Age Matters As a rule of thumb, dogs begin to sprout their first gray hairs near the age of 5 years old. However, gray hairs have been known to start poking through a dog’s lustrous coat as early as one year old.

Why does my black Lab puppy have white hairs?

A Sign of their Age. Other times, white fur can be a sign that your Lab is aging. White and grey fur develops on black Labs as they get older. If your Lab develops white markings around its face, or any other place on their body as they get older, it may just be a sign of old age.

How can you tell a Labs age?

1. Check Their Teeth. The most reliable way to estimate a dog’s age is to examine their teeth, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
2. Examine Their Coat.
3. Look at Their Eyes.
4. Pay Attention to Their Hearing.
5. Consider Their Muscles and Build.
6. Don’t Forget Genetics.

Why does my silver lab have white hair?

The Natural Aging Process The most common reason for your chocolate Lab’s hair to turn white is its age. Just like humans, the color of your Lab’s hair can change over time. However, graying typically occurs on and around dogs’ faces first, rather than across the entire body.

What is a silver Labrador retriever?

Over the past few years a limited number of breeders have advertised and sold dogs they represent to be purebred Labrador Retrievers with a dilute or gray coat color—hence the term “silver labs.” The AKC has accepted some of these “silver labs” for registration.

Why does my chocolate Lab puppy have white hair?

Your chocolate Lab could be turning white due to aging, which is the most common reason for graying hair. Other causes could be stress, genetics, or another underlying health issue. Vitiligo can also cause dogs’ hair to turn white, but it’s a rare condition and is not the most likely cause.

How do I know if my dog has vitiligo?

Symptoms of Vitiligo in Dogs

1. Black or brown pigment fades and can become quite white which can look quite startling or unusual on your dog.
2. Splotches of white start appearing on your dog’s face, especially on the nose or around the eyes.
3. Sometimes it is only on small areas such as the nose.

Do black Labs GREY early?

Your lab may start going gray before he is 7 years old. Some dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, tend to gray early. If the dog is black, this is one of the reasons that he is greying early, according to Dailypuppy.com. The black color will start to fade until it becomes gray.

How many years do Labs live?

10 – 12 years
Labrador Retriever/Life span

DO Labs GREY early?

Some dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, tend to gray early. If the dog is black, this is one of the reasons that he is greying early, according to Dailypuppy.com. The black color will start to fade until it becomes gray. The gray hair will first be noticed near the muzzle.

How old do Labrador Retrievers get when they turn gray?

Labrador Retrievers usually live between 10 and 12 years. As your Lab gets older you will notice that his fur begins to gray, particularly around his eyes, mouth and nose. This is characteristic of this breed of dog. Graying can start before the Lab turns 7 years old and it will become more prominent over the subsequent years.

Is it normal for a yellow Labrador to have white hair?

Obviously, this wouldn’t mean anything on a dog that is normally gray or white. However, in the case of a Labrador, gray or white will probably stand out on all but the lightest of yellow Labs. Gray or white hair is also a cue that you are dealing with a senior dog.

What should I look for when buying a Labrador Retriever?

You should also take a look to see if the dog has any large patches of gray or white hair. Obviously, this wouldn’t mean anything on a dog that is normally gray or white. However, in the case of a Labrador, gray or white will probably stand out on all but the lightest of yellow Labs.

What is the lifespan of a Labrador Retriever?

Labrador Retrievers usually live between 10 and 12 years. As your Lab gets older you will notice that his fur begins to gray, particularly around his eyes, mouth and nose. This is characteristic of this breed of dog.