Some call it a “button” or even a “booper,” but most people understand that the canine nose is extraordinary. Dogs tend to explore the world nose first, with good reason. Experts say that dogs have over 300 million scent receptors, while humans can only boast a measly 6 million.
Dog noses are made of a thick, hairless layer of a protein called keratin, which is also found in skin, hair, and claws. Sometimes, groomers notice a ridge of hard, thick, bumpy skin along the top edge of a dog's nose. The skin may appear to be dry and cracked. This may be a condition called hyperkeratosis, which occurs when the dog's body overproduces keratin. Certain breeds are more prone to this than others. Brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs and English and French Bulldogs are on that list, but so are American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, and Bedlington Terriers, all of whom have longer snouts.
The cause could be that short-nosed dogs have fewer opportunities to rub overgrown cells off, or, in some cases, there are genetic links. Studies also suggest that the dog's diet may play a role in this condition, and other underlying physical concerns may also trigger it.
As groomers, we can encounter problems when the thickened skin on the nose softens when exposed to water, shampoo, and conditioner during the bathing process. Then, we dry the dog off with a towel, and before we know it, some or all of the thickened skin rubs off. What is under those chunks of hyperkeratosis skin that we have inadvertently rubbed off may be an area of raw, tender, or even bleeding skin. I think we can all agree that raw skin is never a look we are going for while grooming!
So, if you notice that a pet has thickened, cracked, bumpy skin upon check-in or while you are washing it, take care when you towel dry the face. If some of the thickened skin should fall or rub off (you know, those dogs that face plant into the towel, rubbing happily after a bath),examine the pet closely to make sure it has not caused irritation. If you see sore-looking skin, apply some kind of soothing or first aid balm such as this one made by Smith and Burton.
Of course, you should show the pet owner the problem area and explain what you have done to help. If they were unaware of the condition of the pet's nose, encourage them to talk to their veterinarian about it. While this condition is not an emergency, there are treatments that can help minimize it.
