pink nose

Question
Dear Dr.Fry,
We have a lovely healthy Lab-Collie cross.She is about 3 years old.When we got her a year ago she had a perfectly black nose.As time has passed her nose has got progressively more pink!We felt it might darken in the summer but this has not happened.Do you have any thoughts on this curiosity.
Thanks very much for your time.
Holly

Answer
Sometimes loss of pigment can occur, and it is not always known why.  You do want to keep an eye on it because if the nose becomes scaley or crusty, this could indicate a disease condition called Collie Nose or a form of Lupus.

If you are using any plastic food or water dishes, discontinue and use steel or ceramic.

When outside, apply sunscreen to her nose to avoid sunburn.