Miniature poodle mix

Question
My mini poodle mix is 5 yrs old, white in color about 10 lbs. I noticed that over the past couple of days her fur around the anal area is dark in color, the size of the area is about quarter sized. No evident diarrhea. She licks and sniffs the area but no sign of pain. Eating and drinking normally. Any suggestions/advice?  People have asked why her "butt is dirty".

Answer
Hello Emily,
The color change in your dog is due to chemicals in her saliva mixing with chemicals in her hair and skin.  What is happening is she is probably licking her rear area or urine is getting in the hairs around her anus, and is staining the hair the rusty red color you are talking about.  It is the same thing that happens around the eyes and paws of some white dogs.  When a white dog licks or chews at their feet, the hair around the feet turns reddish brown, and you will sometimes see reddish brown tear stains around the eyes of white dogs because when the dog produces tears, the chemicals in the tears combines with chemicals in the skin and hair around the eyes causing the staining.  

The best way to get rid of the staining is to have it cut off by your Groomer.  You can also try using Bottled Water or Filtered Water system such as a Whole Home installed filter system (Culligan water system, EcoWater system), Tap filter that attaches to your faucet (PUR, 3M Filtrete) or Carafe Water Pitcher Filters (Soma, Brita).  These filter systems filter out the chemicals that can cause the reddish staining around the eyes, feet, mouth, and rear areas in the dogs.  

Pet Stores will sell a "Stain-Removing Product" sometimes called "Clear Eyes or Show Eyes" that claims that it removes the stain, thus restoring the bright white hair color.  I have found that these products DO NOT remove the stain, but if nothing else, bleaches it to some degree.  I don't recommend it to my customers, but instead will trim the hair close to the body in these areas.  

I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions about this or other Poodle questions in general, please feel free to ask me.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim