Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

My Dog Is Losing Hair on Their Nose, What’s Wrong? (Vet Answer)

nose, dog, fur

A dog’s nose is arguably their most important sensory organ. Even if they can’t see or hear, they can always follow their nose to food, water, and safety, although many of our dogs also seem to have a nose for finding trouble! Given how vital they are, if we notice something amiss with our dog’s nose, we’ll want to get to the bottom of it quickly. One thing that can affect the muzzle is hair loss, and this can happen for a number of reasons.

Of course, the nose itself, also known as the nasal planum, is hairless, but, with the exception of the hairless breeds, the skin of the muzzle should be covered in hair. When dogs start to lose hair around their nose, it is usually over the top of the muzzle. There may also be inflammation, infection, or bleeding involved, or your dog may show no signs of irritation at all. Even if your dog is showing no signs of discomfort, any sudden hair loss should be investigated by your vet to ensure that this baldness isn’t a sign of something more serious going on.

Let’s take a look at the most common reasons for a dog to lose hair on their nose, as well as what might need to be done to treat it.

dogster face divider

The 6 Causes of Hair Loss on the Muzzle

1. Trauma/Friction

If your dog spends a fair amount of time with their nose under a fence or poking through the bars of a crate, the constant rubbing of the bridge of their nose will start to wear away the hair. In cases like this, you may occasionally notice scratches, scabs, or bleeding, but often, it is a gradual process, leading to the skin on top of the muzzle becoming traumatized, inhibiting hair growth.

Although this isn’t a sign of illness, it is something that should be addressed. If nosing under a fence is the issue, do a perimeter check and block any areas where your dog can poke their curious nose. Some people have made adaptations to their fences to allow their dogs to investigate the outside world without sticking their snoot under the fence. If your dog is wearing a bald patch on their muzzle by sticking their nose through the bars of a crate, you may need to reconsider how much time they are spending there.


2. Pemphigus Foliaceus

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common autoimmune condition in dogs. It occurs when the body’s own antibodies attack the molecules that allow keratinocytes to stick to each other. This results in pustules, erosions, ulceration, and depigmentation of the muzzle and nasal planum, the inner part of the ears, and the footpads, which can be quite distressing and painful. The Chow Chow and Akita are the most commonly affected, as well as the Cocker Spaniel, Doberman, Dachshund, Collie, and Shar Pei. Even cats and humans can be affected by this condition.

Treatment of PF involves the use of medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs), with the success of treatment often being limited by how aggressive this therapy can be. The doses needed to cure the condition will usually result in too many damaging side effects, so there is usually a combination of immunosuppressive medications, antibiotics (if needed), and topical preparations used in the management of this disease.

close up of black nose of a dog
Image Credit by: Renko Aleks, Shutterstock

3. Collie Nose

“Collie nose” refers to another auto-immune condition called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). As the colloquial name suggests, it is most often seen in Collies, but other breeds, such as the German Shepherd and Siberian Husky, can also be affected. The nose is the main area affected, but lesions can also appear around the eyes, ears, foot pads, and anus. The lesions caused by DLE are also stimulated by UV light.

You may have heard the term “lupus” in relation to a human health condition. This is a more serious but related condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can affect multiple organ systems, whereas DLE is restricted to the skin, almost exclusively the nasal planum, and is relatively benign.

Treatment consists of a combination of antibiotic and immunosuppressive medications, as well as limiting exposure to sunlight and using moisturizing products with sun protection formulated for dogs.


4. Hyperkeratosis

Thickening or overproduction of keratinocytes (the outermost layer of the skin) forms dry, peeling, thickened skin over the nasal planum. There are two major congenital (inherited) forms of this condition:

Nasal parakeratosis of Labrador Retrievers is an incurable condition that affects the nasal planum from a relatively young age. It can be managed with topical treatments like petroleum jelly, but secondary infections can occur. Genetic testing is available to detect this condition and is recommended for Labrador breeders.

Nasodigital hyperkeratosis can affect the nose and foot pads and is most common in Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, and Bulldogs. This overgrowth and accumulation of excess keratin can lead to painful lesions and ulceration but will generally respond well to surgical debulking and softening agents/balms.

chapped nose of an incurable dog
Image Credit by: ShveynIrina, Shutterstock

5. Mucocutaneous Pyoderma

Caused by a bacterial infection, this condition can lead to painful, crusting, or erosive lesions on the nasal planum, skin folds, and lips. The lesions are usually bilateral (on both sides) but can be unilateral and are usually due to secondary infections associated with allergic hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., allergic rhinitis) or underlying endocrine (hormone) conditions like Cushing’s Disease.

Treatment involves using antibiotics to treat the infection, as well as diagnosing and treating any underlying disease.


6. Fungal Infections

These can either be superficial or deep mycotic infections. Superficial fungal infections appear as peeling, depigmented areas, which can mimic the signs of pemphigus foliaceus but usually respond well to systemic antifungal treatments.

Deep fungal infections, such as blastomycosis or histoplasmosis, can affect different parts of the body. If the nose is affected, there is a high chance that fungal spores will also invade the sinuses, and infection can spread to the lungs and other tissues. If diagnosed early and treated aggressively, dogs can recover. However, it is common for the infection to have traveled deeper into the body by the time treatment has started, in which case the chance of recovery reduces significantly.

Treatment of fungal infections often requires the use of oral antifungal preparations given for a period of at least 6 weeks, with treatment periods of 4-6 months not uncommon.

pit bull dog with red nose at rest
Image Credit: David Cohen 156, Shutterstock

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.

Did you know you can talk to a vet online? Click on the image or button below to schedule a call: PangoVet_Mention-in-Content Savings V1


dogster face divider

Summing Up

If you’ve noticed that your dog is losing hair on their muzzle, it’s worth taking a look at their daily habits to see if they might be poking that nose somewhere they shouldn’t. If that’s not the case, it is definitely worth a trip to the vet.

As you can see, there are a number of different conditions that can lead to hair loss in this area, with some more serious than others, but in each case, early diagnosis and treatment are the key to successful treatment or management. This is particularly true in the cases of pemphigus and fungal infections. So even if your canine companion doesn’t seem to be bothered by the situation, a vet checkup is definitely worthwhile, as not all of these diseases will cause irritation at first.

Because sun damage can trigger or exacerbate some of these conditions, make sure you take steps to protect your dog from excessive sun exposure. When the sun is out, protect the snout!


Featured Image Credit: Foto-Rabe, Unsplash

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can You Walk Your Dog Too Much? Important Care Facts

While most dogs love going on walks, closely monitoring them during walks is important to ensure they’re not overexerting themselves. Dogs can definitely...

How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost in the UK? (2025 Price Guide)

If you want your dog’s gums and teeth to stay healthy, you should consider getting their teeth cleaned professionally. Just like people, dogs...

18 Goldendoodle Colors & Patterns (With Pictures)

The Goldendoodle is one of the most popular hybrid dogs, and it’s no wonder. When you combine the loving and social Golden Retriever...

10 Pet-Friendly Hotels in Palm Springs, CA: 2025 Update

As a favorite vacation destination for Hollywood stars, the desert town of Palm Springs, CA, is famous for welcoming everyone just as they...

More related

Mission Possible: Meet the Nonprofit Rescuing Puerto Rico’s Stray Dogs

Puerto Rico has an estimated 650,000 stray dogs, affectionately called “satos,” who live on the streets in poor conditions. A combination of low...

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Poodle in 2025? Complete Pricing Guide

Poodles rank among the most popular dog breeds worldwide and are known for their allergy-friendly coats and intelligence. They’re also one of the...

Is a Westie a Good Family Dog? Behavior, Health & FAQ

West Highland White Terriers (commonly referred to as Westies) are a distinctive Scottish breed that is well known for their beautiful white coat...

10 Australian Pet Food Industry Statistics to Know in 2025: Trends & Market Size

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. Australia has one of the highest...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Pine Cones? Vet-Verified Facts, Risks & What to Do

Dogs are omnivorous animals, which gives us a bit of leeway in terms of extra treats we can feed them in addition to their regular dog formula. However, dogs sometimes take a fancy to weird things like non-edible bits and...

Can Dogs Eat Pine Cones

Can Dogs Have Molasses? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts, Dangers & Benefits

Molasses is a thick syrup by-product of the sugar-making process. It’s commonly used in baking and can even be found in some dog foods and treats, but is it healthy for them? While small amounts of blackstrap molasses may be...

cream dog eating from the bowl

Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

Coleslaw is a tasty side dish that typically makes appearances at cookouts and BBQ restaurants. If your dog likes to hang around when you’re cooking or eating, then they may want a taste of the foods on your plate, including...

Can Dogs Eat Coleslaw

11 Best Canned & Wet Puppy Foods in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Bringing home a new puppy can be an overwhelming experience; you are still getting to know their unique personality, how to look after them, and most importantly, learning what to feed them! The quality of the food you choose to...

jack russell terier puppy eating food from bowl

9 Best Grain-Free Dog Foods in Canada in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Grain-free diets have been all the rage in the pet industry lately, but are they safe or even necessary? Most vets only recommend a grain-free diet for their pet if it has been proven that the pet in question does...

a dog eating on a bowl

10 Vet-Verified Foods That Dogs Can Eat on Christmas (With Pictures)

Most dogs are foodies that want to eat whatever you’re eating. So, it’s no surprise if you find your dog sniffing around and staying close by your side while you prepare Christmas dinner. Fortunately, there are several common ingredients that...

Dogs Can Eat on Christmas

6 Best Dog Foods for Shiba Inus in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

As with most pets, the Shiba Inu is at its healthiest when eating high-quality dog food that is specially designed to meet its needs. This breed is energetic but also prone to becoming overweight due to being a small breed...

Shiba Inu dog eating from stainless steel bowl

TBHQ in Dog Food: Vet-Approved Feeding & Safety Facts

TBHQ, or tertiary butylhydroquinone, is likely an ingredient that you aren’t familiar with. This chemical additive is commonly used in pet foods to extend shelf life and keep the food from going rancid. You might be surprised to know that...

person pouring dog food to a bowl