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<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000>I'm not at all sure that hormones play a
part in nose color. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000> I have a spayed 8 year old basset,
a spayed 8 year old beagle, an intact 3 year old basset and
a Black,Tan intact 5 year old Dachshund. The Bassets and Beagle are
dark tris. The above 4 keep their Black noses all year
around.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000>I have a Red/White intact female Basset
and a Red intact male Dachshund. Their noses fade in the Winter. I
add humidity in the winter so no cracked noses. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000>For winter shows I add Kelp to their
dinners to even out coloration. When I do this the Red Dachshunds nose
gets really Black and the Red/White Basset's nose darkens to a very dark brown
which is acceptable for her light coloring.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000>So I think the nose color is more
genetic then anything else. Sunlight probably helps. Winter air is
very dry and putting a pan of water on radiators or using a humidifer
should go a long way to prevent cracked noses in the
winter. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Baltimore color=#800000>Cathy</FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>