I have noticed a few dogs showing in the ring at the moment (liver and black gundog breeds) that have patches of no pigmentation of the flews of their lips.  Does anybody have a suggestion why this is?

Is it likely to be a heritable genetic trait? Any suggestions?

probably genetic - does it matter?

I have a dog whose lip lost its pigmentation but I used Elderberry and Nettle extract and it now seems to have come back they do say that the loss can go against them in the ring. It would do in my bread I dont know about any others.

Ellen

yes Ellen I know only too well it can go against you in the ring but was told by my breeder that a 'good' judge will see past it if the dog has other qualities and knows that the pigment will usually return she was proved right when I was placed well and now the nose pigment has returned.

Roni

Does the breed standard call for dark pigment?

I don't have any suggestions as to why that might be, either. I also, question it's importance, some dogs have spots of pigmentation on their tongues, and some don't. It's just the way it is, and makes no difference one way or the other.

Dawn R.