Bald tummy

Question
Hi, my 1 yr old pom has never grown hair on her lower belly. The rest of her fur is coming in nicely, maybe a little "open" at her withers but fluffy, thick and long. I'm afraid she is going to eventually end up like those alopecia poms. Is it common to have a little naked belly on otherwise normal pom?

Answer
Alopecia X/BSD tends to begin in the "nether region" and work its way down the thighs and up the tail.  There is a distinct pattern and usually a texture to the coat before it goes-cottony and brittle.  It also has a tendency to happen to males more than females but not always.
Not a lot is known yet and more research is needed.

Here are some helpful links-

http://www.akcchf.org/research/grants/search/index.cfm?search=breed&display=resu...

http://www.pcoc.net/black-skin-disease.htm

http://www.acvd.org/

http://www.mbfonline.com/bsdauction/supporters.htm

-Trish