What The Doodle Is This Black Stuff?

[Camilla and Darwin]

For the past two days, Darwin has been getting black paws. It is after we go outside, but it's confusing because we hardly walk on the street, it is mostly sidewalk. His paws aren't grungy as though he stepped in any kind of liquid or mud. It's almost like a powder. Has anyone's doodle gotten black feet from the road? Could it be because the road is hotter than usual? 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sophie has gotten the black feet look before. It usually brushes out though. I just always assumed it was from the street (we don't have sidewalks). I know our driveway gets a black junk on it that I have to pressure wash off occasionally, so I would assume sidewalks would do the same.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Camilla, could it be something from the dog park?

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Could be that soot that collects on the black top. Especially if you are any where near an interstate.

[Camilla and Darwin]

We are near an interstate... it does seem like soot. Powdery... and black.

[BG and Gavin]

This was going to be my next question. Gavin gets dirty paws too. We live near the border and there are always lots of semis idling while they wait to go over the bridge. I have a fine black powder that collects on the window sills (yuck) and on Gavin's feet. No wonder we head north to clean air on the weekends!

[shelly]

Maybe it's just 'dirty feet'? Like when WE walk around barefoot???? I know in the summer when I am more barefooted than shoed, my feet get more dirty??? I know it's been REL humid here and perhaps the clouds are lower in the sky, not allowing the pollen, dust particles, kicked up dirt from the dry roads rising into the air?????

[Camilla and Darwin]

No, it couldn't be from the dog park. His feet were squeaky clean this morning, and the only place we took him was on a walk, mainly on sidewalks. When we got back, we noticed the black all over his feet. This also happened yesterday (We washed his feet completely after so he wouldn't dirty our carpet, so they WERE clean this morning)

The weird thing is that it's only happened in the last 2 days, I have never seen this so far this summer, and we've been doing walks all summer... I was wondering if maybe when it's really, really hot outside the road is warmer, so it stains easier? I'm not sure.

[Rachel Tober]

Ranger is a walking dust mop and always gets dirty paws. I always thought it was because of the fur type, it seems to attract dust and dirt easier than other dogs.
I use a waterless shampoo and baby wipes to fight the frequent staining.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Rachel, does waterless shampoo work? What is the brand name that you use?

[Ginny Nightingale]

Just a wild guess-but the rubber on tires wears off on the highway--especially when the road is hot. The tiny particles can be airborne and settle nearby. I like the waterless shampoo and baby wipes idea. My "dustmop" doodle problem is around the mouth--it just collects dirt and doesn't dry, so in the heat of the summer--it smells! I will try some of these ideas on that area.