14/07/2023
Why do dogs go grey early?
The premature greying is sometimes called geriatric greying, and it usually starts around the muzzle. It’s the greying that’s associated with the aging process, the same one that happens to humans. There’s another type of greying that certain breeds go through called progressive greying. It’s caused by a progressive greying gene that causes their coats to turn grey or silver. This type of progressive greying is attributed to chromosome 25. Some breeds, such as Poodles and Bearded Collies, have the greying gene that causes their entire coat to turn silver. Because the progressive greying gene is dominant it’s also seen in some mixed breeds, especially in the UK where Bearded Collie & terrier crosses are common. Experts say that cellular stress is what causes grey hairs. Over time, we create less melanin, the black or brown pigment that occurs in the hair, skin & eyes of humans & animals.
Scientists traced the loss of hair color to the gradual dying off of adult stem cells that form a reservoir that spawns a continuous supply of new pigment manufacturing cells, called melanocytes, that give hair its youthful hues.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050111174107.htm
Genetics is a big influence in premature greying in both dogs and humans. The pigment cells that give hair it’s youthful color are called melanocytes, and when they die off or grow incorrectly, greying starts to occur. The pigment cells responsible for our hair color undergo levels of cellular stress that lead to greying. When they die off or develop in the wrong part of the hair follicle, our hair goes grey.
A grey muzzle doesn’t always indicate an older dog
Because of all the variables associated with coat colors, a dog’s grey muzzle isn’t always an accurate way to estimate age. Dogs as young as 2 can have a lot of grey around their muzzle and eyebrows. When it comes to going grey early, dogs are just like us. Some go grey really early, some never will, but most are somewhere in the middle. Premature greying is just an aesthetic thing and rarely cause for concern.