I have a pointed, 4 1/2 year old black bitch that's pre-maturely gray around the muzzle. I think she's lovely and would like to continue to show her but I'm wondering if judges are biased against gray hair -- thinking that the bitch is "too old." I know I can continue showing her for my own enjoyment but I want to try to win with her. Do you think she has a chance of winning? Would you continue to show her or work with another promising youngster?

Hi, think it depends who the judge is....i have a 5.5 year old bitch that is a really nice bitch, has been a great producer and is put together nicely. she is a big bitch, so can really only show her at specialties, but the last couple years she has gotten really grey, and the last time she won at a specialty was 2nd in open black at a big specialty, but she was just starting...have show her at 5 specialties since then in open, and she hasn't placed. she is really grey around her muzzle now, and it seems to have effected her placement. i guess it would probably also matter if she has had puppies and looks broody also, or if she has never had puppies, i think that having puppies and even a big of sagging with the grey can make them look matronly.

Some of my bitches have had early gray. I don't think that it would bother a judge at all.

If you really think this is an issue, why not color the gray? They make wonderful non permanent hair colors that work very well- have used them on black & chocolate dogs in the past that spent too much time in the sun to help get rid of the sunburned look and they did the trick!

you dident just say that !!!!!!!!!!!!
look out.

Oh well, I agree, I just wouldent have said it because of what will follow.

You bet I'd show her! Either color with a permanent marker (sharpie) or get yourself some Just for Men. I think I would use the Sharpie on this particular area...Just for Men takes longer to dry and you have to worry about licking! Show your girl and GOOD LUCK with her!!!

Just remember that it's against AKC rules to color the hair.

As a judge and long time chocolate breeder, I am always very suspicious of a solid colored chocolate lab (all one color of brown). They due exist, but rarely.

I am also very aware of the AKC rule about changing the apperance of the dog. I have not put up good dogs due to "enhancements" in the coats that I could feel.

I have also put up older dogs with grey, if they were better than the other dogs in the class.

Also a note about magic markers -- they tend to give off a "blue" shine in some lights!!!

Jan

SHOW HER!! I just had a conversation with a friend about this. If she has everything else in that package that you like, get her out there!!