age can do it as can sun my solid black gsd had a hot spot on his side and the hair has grown back with a slight browny red colour. It isn't full back yet and I amhoping the top coat will be black. It looks like he has gone rusty lol . Try shampoo for black dogs
Dead coat will go rusty, have you tried grooming it out, it might just not be ready to come out yet but dying. I tend to find the moult starts from the rear end moving to the front of the dog over a couple of weeks.