If the top coat goes then nice black hair will return. You shouldn't have to wait as long as I did. The most important thing is it happens and is no reflection on your management/grooming. I have also remembered seeing one of our top sires at a show and he was very red at the time. Take comfort in this.
Coat is turning red! PLEASE help!
- Thread starter Smudge
- Start date
I can't believe this thread was started! Just yesterday morning while I had Paladin outside and was petting him, I thought some of his black was looking reddish. I thought that is strange. He has only been to the groomer about 2 weeks ago, I never thought it was a grooming issues, I do brush him at least 4 times a week. As he is only nine months old, he does not have that thick under coat as of yet. I thought maybe it was some odd color thing because he is half Tri and half Merle. My first sheltie was a dark sable and this issue never came up. He does go out often as he uses a doggy door and the sun in AZ is very strong. He eats Blue Buffalo puppy food, so I did not even consider it could be his food as his coat is pretty shiny. I learn something new everyday.
therwilBbarkng
Forums Regular
My dog is a tri and he was getting really red colored (which some people, albeit not Sheltie people thought was pretty). I started spraying Ice on Ice (thanks to this website) after a bath to try to avoid matts since he hates to be brushed. I've noticed my dog isn't so reddish anymore and we just finished summer, although a very cool, overcast summer but my dog loves to be outside and we have a lot of sun in southern California. My dog gets a bath about every 6-8 weeks. I do wish they'd redesign the bottle because it's hard to hold when my hands are wet, I guess I could put it in a different bottle.
Found some research
Sorry it's taken a while but I've looked through my sheltie Nutshell magazines and found the following for you, printed in 2003 as a result of a European wide discussion on tri-colours going rusty:
Dutch breeders discussion:
None of the Dutch breeders though sunshine was a contributary factor into tri colour rusting. Coat changing was mentioned as a major factor in the tendancy to rust (something I've noticed too).
Food was mentioned, some brands can affect the coat colour (possibly dry food has been mentioned) and too many carrots. (Mine have carrots in food and as treats, but I don't think it has a massive impact personally) Carotene is apparently added to the fod of show canaries to get the red colouring.
Some coat condtioners may also have a negative effect.
Genetics, certainly a major factor. If there are rusty tris in the background it is more likely to come out.
Germany breeders:
Very similar to the above but sunlight was again mentioned, also 'dry' coats being more prone to going rusty. Possibly as a result of hot summer/heating?
Seeweed crops up several times but confusingly some say it causes the red, some say prevents, so the jury is out on this one.
The british breeders mostly said genetics and sunlight were contributary factors.
One mentioned a tri going rusty after spot on flea treatment.
Possible suggestions from the magazine:
bath and brush vigoursly within a couple of days to ensure all the dead hair is removed and use a black coat shampoo. Possibly a coat conditioner with UV protection could help.
I think I've got it all down more or less, though a bit paraphrased! Hope this helps or is at leastof some interest.
Sorry it's taken a while but I've looked through my sheltie Nutshell magazines and found the following for you, printed in 2003 as a result of a European wide discussion on tri-colours going rusty:
Dutch breeders discussion:
None of the Dutch breeders though sunshine was a contributary factor into tri colour rusting. Coat changing was mentioned as a major factor in the tendancy to rust (something I've noticed too).
Food was mentioned, some brands can affect the coat colour (possibly dry food has been mentioned) and too many carrots. (Mine have carrots in food and as treats, but I don't think it has a massive impact personally) Carotene is apparently added to the fod of show canaries to get the red colouring.
Some coat condtioners may also have a negative effect.
Genetics, certainly a major factor. If there are rusty tris in the background it is more likely to come out.
Germany breeders:
Very similar to the above but sunlight was again mentioned, also 'dry' coats being more prone to going rusty. Possibly as a result of hot summer/heating?
Seeweed crops up several times but confusingly some say it causes the red, some say prevents, so the jury is out on this one.
The british breeders mostly said genetics and sunlight were contributary factors.
One mentioned a tri going rusty after spot on flea treatment.
Possible suggestions from the magazine:
bath and brush vigoursly within a couple of days to ensure all the dead hair is removed and use a black coat shampoo. Possibly a coat conditioner with UV protection could help.
I think I've got it all down more or less, though a bit paraphrased! Hope this helps or is at leastof some interest.
I have heard that food could be a cause also. I was told that on the Old Sheltie Lines yahoo group (I think it was Old Sheltie Lines!) that high levels of protein may also be a factor. That's why I tried to pick a lower protein food when I was deciding on her adult food.
I'm trying to keep her out of the sun as much as possible. She wears clothes so much you would think it would block some of the sun.
I'm looking into dog sunblock sprays and trying to decide the difference between them.
She does have a lot of red fur around her ears (this is where it is the worst), but I think maybe that was because I trimmed some fur there when she was smaller and it came back red. That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have been unable to get a good picture of her body redness. For some reason the camera never seems to capture it. I do however, have tons of pictures of her red patches around her ears. They are the worst.
I'm trying to keep her out of the sun as much as possible. She wears clothes so much you would think it would block some of the sun.
I'm looking into dog sunblock sprays and trying to decide the difference between them.
She does have a lot of red fur around her ears (this is where it is the worst), but I think maybe that was because I trimmed some fur there when she was smaller and it came back red. That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have been unable to get a good picture of her body redness. For some reason the camera never seems to capture it. I do however, have tons of pictures of her red patches around her ears. They are the worst.
Last edited:
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Because I don't show, I'm not anal about Indy's colour. He has a tendency towards showing rust as well.
This year I focussed on keeping his coat conditioned and protected and that seemed to cut down on the rust. But my main focus was not colour, but condition.
I just can't get warped about his colour. But if it indicates that his coat needs conditioning, then I pay attention.
This year I focussed on keeping his coat conditioned and protected and that seemed to cut down on the rust. But my main focus was not colour, but condition.
I just can't get warped about his colour. But if it indicates that his coat needs conditioning, then I pay attention.
No worries! Cali has a spot on her lower back (right above her butt fuzz) that stays somewhat red year round. The rest of her back will get a hint of red in it when she spends alot of time outdoors in the summer or around shedding time when the fur is ready to be brushed out from underneath.
I have heard that food could be a cause also. I was told that on the Old Sheltie Lines yahoo group (I think it was Old Sheltie Lines!) that high levels of protein may also be a factor. That's why I tried to pick a lower protein food when I was deciding on her adult food.
I'm trying to keep her out of the sun as much as possible. She wears clothes so much you would think it would block some of the sun.
I'm looking into dog sunblock sprays and trying to decide the difference between them.
She does have a lot of red fur around her ears (this is where it is the worst), but I think maybe that was because I trimmed some fur there when she was smaller and it came back red. That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have been unable to get a good picture of her body redness. For some reason the camera never seems to capture it. I do however, have tons of pictures of her red patches around her ears. They are the worst.
The fur behind the ears (at least in Cali's case) is extremely fine and wavey. It gives it more of a "red" tinge under certain light when it really is not that color at all. I try to keep it brushed straight, trimmed and I put baby powder on it to "suck" the oils out and keep it from matting. No matter what I do with that spot, the fur stays that way so I am assuming there is really nothing I can do about it other then stay on top with grooming. It makes it really hard because all of that fur catches most of the slobber and dirt from playing frisbee and fetch.
I have heard that food could be a cause also. I was told that on the Old Sheltie Lines yahoo group (I think it was Old Sheltie Lines!) that high levels of protein may also be a factor. That's why I tried to pick a lower protein food when I was deciding on her adult food.
I'm trying to keep her out of the sun as much as possible. She wears clothes so much you would think it would block some of the sun.
I'm looking into dog sunblock sprays and trying to decide the difference between them.
She does have a lot of red fur around her ears (this is where it is the worst), but I think maybe that was because I trimmed some fur there when she was smaller and it came back red. That's the only thing I can figure out.
I have been unable to get a good picture of her body redness. For some reason the camera never seems to capture it. I do however, have tons of pictures of her red patches around her ears. They are the worst.
I am looking at this pretty picture of her,and it looks like just nice caramel color coat around her ears,and not really a "red".Nor does it look burnt or dried out.Her coat looks like it is in great shape.
It's kind of annoying, too. I paid a nice chunk of change for that souped up camera, and it won't even capture the redness on film.
In normal room lighting it's not that bad, but in day light you can see the redness. Her coat isn't damaged at all, but it is red. Not much I can do about it I guess. :sadsmile: