White GSD issues

[WhiteSpirit]

Looks similar to light hot spots. Have you ever tried just a once a month bath with an unscented oatmeal shampoo and then rubbing some baby powder into the skin once dry?

[musicmaan]

nope, never tried that... I've always been under the impression that regular baths are not all that good for dogs. But I'm open to suggestion

MM

[GatorBytes]

I don't see hot spots. GSD's do shed A LOT...the dog is 4 yrs. and seems to be shedding more then usual.

That could be an early warning sign that there is a hormonal imbalance going on. I don't know if it is normal to have dark skin in a white shep. But pink skin turning black is a sign of Thyroid issues, so maybe opposite is true, IDK.

Could also be a reaction to being dewormed, side effect of drugs...or the side effect from drugs causing hormonal imbalance therefore causing hair loss?

Any vaccines given recently, last couple three months?

[musicmaan]

No recent vaccines... A few articles that I read mentioned that white Shepherds should have dark skin, that's why I'm under the impression that she maybe is allergic to something, or has skin issues. If the pink skin is normal for them, it could be just me. One thing I haven't mentioned is that her outer coat is a little coarse, maybe not as soft as it should be?? .. I know this is hard to explain over words on a forum, but I really don't think my town has the best vet, so I'm reaching out for any information at all

Her mother, and one of her siblings lives close to my house, so I think maybe I'll swing by there and see what their skin, and coats are like... maybe see what they are fed for a diet as well.

[WhiteSpirit]

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Had a dog with minor ones like this. All you would see is the shed. Non stop. Areas would thin to the point that she might as well be bald. Took 3 vets and way to much money to find out it was mild hot spots. Nothing major. Drove me up the wall. With the mild version you don't see alot of skin abrasions but you can sometimes see a good deal of itching.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by musicmaan

I grew up with a shepherd, and don't remember anywhere near the shedding I have to deal with now. She always has been a shed demon, but it seems to be getting really bad right now, and it's getting in to winter here with colder temperatures, so she shouldn't be blowing her coat.

Our male, also white, is blowing his coat right now. I think I've combed out another dog in the last few days and he's still shedding. Annie (dog in avatar) blew her coat back in September.

Honestly if she isn't itching and it isn't getting worse (the thinning areas) I'd guess there's nothing unusual going on but yes, go take a look at the dam and other littermates.
It's not uncommon for the whites to have pink skin on their sides and underbelly. Usually you'll see the darker pigment on their muzzles, feet/legs and sometimes on the outer edges of the inner ear, sometimes in the groin area. In any case, the pink skin isn't an indication of allergies.

I've never had a standard colored GSD so have no idea if the whites shed more but they definitely do shed A LOT!

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

I've never had a standard colored GSD so have no idea if the whites shed more but they definitely do shed A LOT!

I have had both... I don't think they shed more, rather the white color is just so much more noticable. She did tend to blow coat all at once while my darker shepherds seem to shed all the time. My white Shepherd had pink skin and tan ears. I haven't been around a lot of whites but I've never seen one with darker skin.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by shepherdmom

I haven't been around a lot of whites but I've never seen one with darker skin.

Now that's a once in a lifetime dog! I bet you couldn't walk down the street without people stopping to ask what she was. Too cute.

Here's a few pictures where you can see how dark the skin is under both dogs coat. Their fur is all white, no black. Belly's are pink though. Always shows up better when the dogs are wet. (and makes for some pretty ugly pictures! )

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by Whiteshepherds

Now that's a once in a lifetime dog! I bet you couldn't walk down the street without people stopping to ask what she was. Too cute.

Here's a few pictures where you can see how dark the skin is under both dogs coat. Their fur is all white, no black. Belly's are pink though. Always shows up better when the dogs are wet. (and makes for some pretty ugly pictures! )

Thanks.... She was absolutely awesome! She was our first GSD and the reason we fell in love with the breed.

Thanks for the pictures! It is good to know that dark skin is normal too. That way we won't freak out when we get our next white shepherd. (Which we will someday!)

[musicmaan]

She's never seemed to be itchy at all. She's got dark skin on her muzzle, here's a pic of her in the water with a soggy nose..