Today I am covering something called Snow Nose.
I touched on this topic about 1 year ago but lately there seems to be an awful lot of people concerned about their sibes nose because it has turned pink.
What is snow nose?
Snow nose is something that is common in Siberian Huskies, but can also occur in a few other breeds as well. During the winter season, you may notice a pink streak down your dogs nose. This is called snow nose.
Out of my 3 huskies, 2 of them get snow nose in the winter months,
The above photo shows my boy Koda's nose. Notice the pink in it?
His nose is usually jet black, but because it is winter, he is getting his snow nose on!
This is my girl Mika. She also currently has snow nose.
However, my girl Lexus, does not. Her nose stays completely black in the winter, and all year long.
Why does snow nose happen?
In all of the research I have done, there doesn't seem to be a 100% reason why this happens.
I read some things that said when the temperature outside drops, so does the output of an enzyme called Tyrosinase which catalyzes the production of melanin and other skin pigments causing a dark nose to lighten or even become speckled through the cold winter months.
Now, as this does make sense to me, then why do some huskies in warmer climates still get snow nose? I surely don't have a clue, and it seems that the rest of the world doesn't either!
Siberian Huskies have so many unexplained things about them that it just fascinates me.
Such as their metabolism that scientists still do not understand, but i'll leave that for another day ;)
*Snow nose is not a disease, and poses no health risk whatsoever.
We hope you enjoyed learning a little bit about huskies noses with us today, and I would also like to share our contribution to Sepia Saturday as well.
Snow nose in sepia!
Sepia Saturday is a blog hop hosted by Ruckus the Eskie.
Co hosted by Earl's World.
LadyBug's gets like that in the winter...Chloe's not so much! Happy Saturday Guys!!
ReplyDeleteNice :) Happy Saturday!!!
DeleteThat is very interesting. Have a great Saturday, Hope the coming storm doesn't hit you too hard.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It did! Luckily we were out of town, but we came back to a whole lot of ice!!!
DeleteInteresting and strange.
ReplyDeleteBOL! Yep!
DeleteVery interesting, have to say I don't remember ever hearing that so thank you for the post.
ReplyDeleteGood! It was quite some time ago, so I was hoping it would be a fresh read for some people.
DeleteMom's Champion male, Crusty, developed a snow nose early in life and never lost it no matter the weather...hot or cold. It is actually considered a small fault in the conformation dog show world. But then, the dog show world is strange as well as often arrogant. Did you know that white Sibes are frowned upon in the show ring? You will almost never see one being shown, and if you do...they won't be put up for consideration...stupid
ReplyDeleteWow! That is interesting! I don't know much about showing, but it is fascinating to learn the different faults.
DeleteThat is really interesting! I never noticed any change in my Husky's nose, but probably because we live in Phoenix!
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Cathy, Isis & Phoebe
www.dogsluvusandweluvthem.blogspot.com
That may have something to do with it, however huskies can still get snow nose for some strange reason! Some just don't though, like my Lexus
DeleteThat is strange that their noses turn black again after winter. My nose would stay pink or red in your frigid temperatures! I love the snowflake Pin It!
ReplyDeleteBOL! Ahhh you'd get used to it eventually!
DeleteThanks!! They match my new social media buttons!
I had no idea about that! I guess because I'm in Florida where we just don't get snow this must be why. But very interesting information.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that some huskies can get it in warm climates also. Nobody understands it which is just fascinating to me, but some sibes never get it! Strange!
DeleteOur previous family dog (RIP) got a snow nose every year in winter! Her nose would turn completely pink! :D When we lived in the high altitude at my inlaws, Zoe got a partial snow nose!! It was so weird. This year she did not get one!
ReplyDeleteIt is weird! And the fact that is in not understood by anybody makes it that much better!!
DeleteVery cool info!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Thanks guys!
DeleteThis is an interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour very welcome!
DeleteWe've never heard of snow nose before. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting, so I am glad everyone has enjoyed this post!
DeleteWell that is an interesting post Today!I love learning new stuff,thank you,xx Rachel
ReplyDeletePaw-some!!! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteInteresting. I have never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of many peculiar things about this breed. So glad you enjoyed the post!
DeleteSheba's nose is somewhat pink year round, but the pink does seem to increase in the winter. It's a pretty cool thing I think, and it's interesting that they don't really know why!
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
It is, and there are some dogs that keep the snow nose year round for some reason. I would love to find out why this happens if they can ever figure it out!!
DeleteGreat info - I've seen a lot of "pink" noses but didn't know why/how/when/where. I've even noticed on one of the lost & found pet groups I'm in people will exclude found dogs because the nose is "pinker than the one in the photo" and now I'll be able to say hey wait a second dogs noses can change!
ReplyDeleteOh good! I am so glad you will be able to help teach people about this! Some people seem to think it is a sickness or a disease, when in fact it poses no health risk at all!
DeleteI get a hint of snow nose in the colder season, it's more brown than pink, but I think it counts :-)
ReplyDeleteSure it does!
DeleteI've never heard of that, but I don't live near the snow. They look adorable with pink or black noses! Happy new year!! ~Rascal and Rocco
ReplyDeleteYes they do!! Happy New Year LeaH!
DeleteMy sister Katie has snow nose, but it doesn't even go away completely in the summer months anymore. We don't mind, and it doesn't bother her either.
ReplyDeleteYes, Katie is older, and I also read that w=in older dogs it can start to stay year round. I think the pink noses are adorable!!!
DeleteMy golden's nose turns pink in the winter too.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me it was caused by drinking from plastic water bowls?!? Not the case for Honey so I guess I'll just chalk it up to snow nose.
I read about that as well, but that is something completely different. The bowl thing is health related, but snow nose happens seasonally.
Delete