Other than the red Alaskan Malamute, the pigmentation of the nose, lip, and eye rim of all other color coats of the breed is usually black. Brown is generally acceptable for the red Alaskan Malamute. However, one of the mysteries of the Alaskan Malamute is the phenomenon known as the "snow nose".
The black nose of an Alaskan Malamute sometimes turns into one with a pink or reddish marking. This marking on the nose of an Alaskan Malamute is termed the snow nose. During the warmer months, the markings will disappear. However, come the winter season, the pink or reddish markings will surface. Research has shown that there is nothing wrong with having a snow nose. While some of these pink or reddish markings are actually bad pigmentation, the snow nose makes for interesting examination.
Occasionally, bad pigmentation in the Alaskan Malamute breed occurs. Pigmentation happens in the area of the face and it is described as reddish or pinkish skin. Sometimes, these markings are considered to be faults because they may be signs of sunburn or worse, skin cancer. That's why when an Alaskan Malamute has pinkish or reddish markings on its face or nose, it is recommended that the owner apply sun screen over the affected areas regularly. It will protect your Alaskan Malamute from possible cancer or skin diseases. Today, there are some procedures to correct these pigmentations or markings. Some owners have the affected areas tattooed. There is also a new procedure where vegetable dye is injected into the pigmented area to cover it.
In some cases, the snow nose is also known as the fading nose. It is believed that the fading nose is a result of the snow nose. The reason why the nose pigmentation changes colour during the winter is still not completely known. Some time ago, it was thought that the snow nose was a result of a bleached nose when the brightness of the sun was reflected off the snow. People even thought that the snow nose was a result of cold or trauma because Alaskan Malamutes use their noses like mini shovels in the snow. When some veterinarians discovered that even those Alaskan Malamutes in warmer and southern climates can get snow noses, the snow theory was shattered. However, it was discovered that snow noses in these Alaskan Malamutes also occurred during the colder months. Apparently, the snow nose is somewhat caused by changes in the weather.
Aside from the procedures above, you may also supplement your Alaskan Malamute's diet with Vitamin E to help reduce the snow nose. Except for the possibility of the snow nose developing into bad pigmentation, it is really not a serious problem.
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