changes in coat color

Question
The coat on our almost 12 year old poodle has just within the last few weeks began changing colors.  He is black and white.  The white areas on his paws and under his chin look like they have started to rust.  Someone told us this was normal with age in poodles.  Is this true?

Answer
That has nothing to do with aging.  This means he is licking himself on the paws a lot.  Rust colored staining is from saliva.  You are seeing it on his chin from all the licking he is doing.  He has probably developed an allergy to the food your are feeding him.  Make sure he is eating a senior diet(lower in protein and fat) that is free of wheat and corn and I would also stay away from Chicken.