Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hair color changes on the back of poodles and poodle crosses
By Kim, Jiwon et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2026·Dermatology for Animals, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical, Histopathological and Epidemiological Features of Dorsal Melanotrichia of Poodles and Poodle Crosses.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old Poodle was brought in for changes in the hair coat on its back, a condition informally known as "doodle dysplasia." Owners reported that the dog often showed these symptoms during the summer and after grooming. The affected areas had a serpentine pattern, and some dogs also experienced hair loss and changes in hair texture. While the condition is generally mild and can resolve, many dogs experienced a return of symptoms within a year or two. The researchers suggest renaming this condition to dorsal melanotrichia, as there is no strong evidence of a true dysplasia.
People also search for: Poodle hair coat changes · why is my Poodle losing hair · doodle dysplasia treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poodles and poodle cross-breds develop a poorly described dorsal truncal hair coat condition informally called "doodle dysplasia". HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To characterise the clinical, histopathological and epidemiological features of dorsal melanotrichia in poodles and poodle crosses. ANIMALS: Twenty-nine privately-owned poodles and poodle cross-breds with an unidentified cause for dorsal melanotrichia in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and prospective case recruitment from private/academic dermatology and general practices, and involved record review, owner questionnaire, and dermatohistopathological analysis between 2019 and 2024. Inclusion criteria were poodles and poodle cross-breds with coat colour changes restricted to the dorsum, with or without other concurrent dermatological lesions or systemic signs. RESULTS: The average age of onset was 4 years. Summer was the most commonly reported season of onset (46% dogs), and recent grooming was noted in 57% of dogs with the information available. The most common pattern and distribution were serpiginous in 67% of dogs, and dorsal thorax and lumbar in 39% of dogs. Additional changes were alopecia and alteration of texture. Of those dogs with resolution, 71% had recurrence of coat colour and texture alterations 12 months or 24 months later. Histopathological changes were overall mild, with the most common being outer root sheath apoptosis and altered pigmentation in follicles, without strong evidence to support a dysplasia. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: "Doodle dysplasia" is a condition with a possible seasonal and/or environmental component. Given the lack of clear evidence for dysplasia, we propose a new name: dorsal melanotrichia of poodles and poodle crosses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41852307/