Fur on Goldendoodle's chin darkening

[Bella]

The fur on my 7 month old Goldendoodle's chin is turning rusty red-brown while the rest of her is a light apricot colour.  Is this a normal change?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, it is due to a red fungus growing from the dampness. It is very common. Keeping the hair short helps.

[Gail and Bailey]

Seriously???  a fungus?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

That's interesting F! Winston has some discolouring around his mouth too. I'm glad this question came up.

Is this the same thing when Winston's allergies are bad and he chews his itchy paws and they change a dark reddish colour? I didn't know it could be fungus.  ... his paws, by the way, are totally healthy these days and back to their regular cream colour. :o)

[Bonnie and Kona]

What have you done to heal Winnie's allergies. I must have missed this improvement. Sorry. I'm excited to learn that he is doing so well. I remember the struggle when you were choosing a vet.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi Bonnie, thanks for asking. I wouldn't say I've healed his allergies, I feel like he is doing well but could hit a tipping point at any minute. I didn't really do much. I think perhaps the winter helped. He was on a food trial (kangaroo kibble), and he was doing great, but I'm not sure it was the food. There are few other reasons I can think of that make more sense. I'll post an update discussion one of these days...

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I had no idea. Thanks, F. Monty's hair on his chin is reddish and so are his paws.

[Pam and Ginger Snap]

so i guess all dogs have it, regardless of their color...it just presents itself more in lighter colored dogs.  Interesting and gross at the same time

[F, Calla & Luca]

Probably so.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here you go.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6392318_yeast-infections-dogs-red-paws.html

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh, I didn't realize the yeast caused the fur to turn colour. I thought it was something in the saliva.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well, I am sure the saliva helps get things going but the yeast is ubiquitous. The saliva supplies moisture and possibly some food nutrients.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

We read the same thing too. Saliva.