A dog’s coat color is determined by genetics. However, there are some instances where a dog’s coat color may appear to change as the dog ages. In this article, we will explore whether it is truly possible for a dog’s coat color to change and what circumstances can lead to an apparent color change.
How Genetics Determine a Dog’s Coat Color
A dog’s coat color is determined by the dog’s genetic makeup. The genes that control coat color are passed down from the dog’s parents. Different combinations of genes result in different coat colors and patterns.
Some genes that influence coat color include:
- The B gene – Determines whether a dog can produce black pigment
- The D gene – Dilutes black pigment to create blue or gray coats
- The A gene – Controls how much red/yellow pigment is produced
- The E gene – Allows for the production of yellow and red pigment
- The K gene – Controls whether or not a dog can produce dark banding on hairs
- The S gene – Results in white spotting and markings on a dog’s coat
The combination of these genes produces different coat colors like black, chocolate, yellow, orange, gray, white, merle, brindle, and more.
Do a Dog’s Genetics Ever Change?
A dog’s genetic makeup remains the same throughout the dog’s life, barring any unusual genetic mutations. The genes a dog inherits from its parents do not change over time.
This means the genetic instructions responsible for producing coat color remain constant. Unless new color genes are introduced through additional breeding, a dog’s genetic coat color will stay the same.
Why Does a Dog’s Coat Color Sometimes Appear to Change?
While a dog’s genetic coat color does not change, there are a few circumstances that can make a dog’s coat appear a different shade or color than when it was a puppy. Reasons a dog’s coat might appear to be a different color include:
- Color Fading – Some coat colors will lighten or fade as a dog ages. This often occurs in dogs with black coats. Over time, the black pigment in the fur can lighten to a mix of gray and black hairs.
- Seasonal Changes – Sun exposure can lighten some coat colors in the summer. Cold weather and less sun in the winter can make them appear darker. This seasonal variation is common in black dogs.
- Grooming/Haircuts – Regular grooming or haircuts might reveal a lighter base coat color than what is visible when the fur is longer.
- Diet – Certain minerals and compounds in a dog’s diet can temporarily alter coat colors. For example, foods high in fat or carotene can make a yellow Labrador’s coat darker yellow.
- Stress/Illness – Physical or emotional stress, poor nutrition, and illness can sometimes cause hair color or texture changes. These are usually temporary.
- Puppy Coat – Some puppies have a different coat color than their adult fur. For example, many puppies with black coats have hints of brown fur as puppies.
Are True Coat Color Changes Possible in Dogs?
While many factors can temporarily alter a dog’s coat color, it is rare for a dog’s genetic coat color to truly change. There are a couple of exceptions where actual coat color changes are possible:
- Progressive Graying – Some dogs, especially those with black coats, can progressively turn gray. This age-related graying occurs as melanin pigment gradually decreases in the fur over time. Eventually it may appear the dog has transitioned to a fully gray coat, even though genetically the dog is still black.
- Color Mutations – In very rare cases, dogs have been known to experience a color mutation late in life. This causes an atypical new coat color not previously seen on the dog. There are only a handful of genetically confirmed cases. The causes are poorly understood but may relate to genetic mosaicism.
Outside of those two scenarios, a healthy dog’s coat color should remain consistent with its genetic makeup throughout life, despite any temporary color variations.
Do Different Dog Breeds Change Color?
Certain dog breeds are more prone to having their coat colors fade or lighten as they age. Breeds where this is common include:
- Poodles – Apricot and red colored poodles often fade to a lighter cream as adults
- Doberman Pinschers – Black dobermans frequently transition to a mix of gray and black hairs
- Collies – Collies with black coats tend to develop increasing amounts of white hair while aging
- German Shepherds – Black German shepherds commonly lighten to a grayish tone
For other breeds like Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, it is more typical for their coat colors to remain the same throughout adulthood. Their low-shedding coats usually retain consistent coloration.
Certain breeds also have distinct changes between their puppy and adult coats. For example, many Weimaraners have silver-gray coats as adults but are born with mouse-gray fur. This natural progression does not represent a true color change, just part of the normal coat development process.
The Impact of Spaying/Neutering on Coat Color
Spaying or neutering a dog has no effect on the dog’s genetic coat color. The genes responsible for coat color are unrelated to the genes involved in reproduction.
However, there is some evidence that neutering a dog at a very young age may slightly delay the final maturation of adult coat color. For breeds with puppy coats that transform to new adult shades, early neutering could prolong this transition time. But it will not actually alter the final genetically programmed coat color itself.
The timing of neutering does not appear to impact coat color changes for any breeds. Only the natural coat progression timelines might be minimally shifted in some cases.
Can You Safely Change Your Dog’s Coat Color?
While a dog’s natural coat color remains constant, many dog owners are interested in artificially changing the color of their dog’s fur. This is typically done for cosmetic reasons.
There are a few options for temporarily changing a dog’s pelage:
- Chalk/Colored Powders – Colored chalk or powder can be worked into the coat to stain the outer hair shaft. Avoid getting close to the skin.
- Hair Dyes – Temporary and semi-permanent dyes formulas just for dogs are available. Avoid human hair dyes, which may contain toxic ingredients.
- Food Dyes – Processed human food dyes can temporarily discolor fur if given orally. This is not generally recommended for health reasons.
While these methods may provide temporary changes in color, they will not permanently alter a dog’s genetic coat color. Fur will regrow in the natural color. Frequent re-dying would be needed to maintain an artificial coat color over time.
If considering temporary coat dyes or products, be sure to research pet-safe brands. Avoid products with harsh chemicals. Test on a small area first to check for skin irritation. Supervise pets to prevent ingestion. Most vets advise against frequent use of these color-changing products.
The Takeaway on Whether Dogs Can Change Color
A dog’s inherent coat color is determined by genetics and does not change during its lifetime. However, factors like aging, seasons, nutrition, and more can sometimes alter the appearance of a dog’s coat color temporarily.
True color changes are extremely rare except for gradual graying in some breeds. Artificially altering coat color through dyes or foods is possible, but provides only a superficial short-term change.
While puppy coats may differ from adult coats in some breeds, this is a natural part of maturation, not a true color change. For most dogs, expect their coats to retain the same genetic color throughout life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a black dog turn brown?
It is uncommon for a genetically black dog to completely change to brown. However, many black dogs will develop lighter hairs or a grayish tone as they age. Sun exposure and nutrition can also lighten black fur over time. But a full transition from black to brown coat color solely due to aging is unlikely.
Can stress change a dog’s fur color?
Severe or prolonged physical or emotional stress can sometimes temporarily alter a dog’s hair color and texture. This is often seen with fur color fading, patchy coats, or banding on hairs. However, once the stressor resolves, the coat typically returns to its natural appearance as new hairs grow in. Significant stress does not lead to permanent color changes.
Can female dogs have color changes after being spayed?
Spaying or neutering has no effect on a dog’s genetic coat color. Timing of spaying may slightly delay maturation of adult coat color in some breeds, but does not change the final color itself. Females spayed at any age will still develop their natural genetically programmed adult coat color eventually.
At what age is a dog’s coat color permanent?
A dog’s final mature coat is generally fully developed by 18 months to 2 years of age. For breeds with distinct puppy coats, the transformation to adult coloration usually occurs between 8 weeks and 1 year old. But coat color is considered genetically set at birth aside from this natural progression of puppy to adult fur.
Conclusion
While dogs may appear to change coat colors as they age, truly altering an existing genetic coat color is extremely rare. Temporary color changes from environment, diet, grooming, or health can occur, but do not represent a lasting change to the dog’s DNA. For most dogs, expect their mature adult coats to retain the same genetic coloration throughout life.