White dog-Yellow tail

[katiem]

Okay, why is it that white dogs get yellow tails? I assumed it was because they were getting urine on them, but now I don't think so.

I ask because Little Jeanie is lemon belton in colour, but her tail is white. I noticed that it was getting yellow-ish in colour so I watched her to see if she was peeing on it. She's not, and she doesn't drag it on the ground either. Once I had her groomed the yellow was gone, so I know its not her colouring, but rather a stain. What is up with that?

[ferJenna]

I'm not sure. You'd think it would be brown/black from dirt. I wonder if it's the oil from their skin?

[jacko]

"assumed it was because they were getting urine on them" lol.. sorry it really makes me laugh... its like dalmatians usually they don't have spots when they where pups...

[katiem]

"assumed it was because they were getting urine on them" lol.. sorry it really makes me laugh... its like dalmatians usually they don't have spots when they where pups...

Um, okay, but her tail is usually white, so its not a yellow colouring on her coat thats coming in. She's 11 months old too. And it comes off when I wash it. Its something I've noticed on lots of white and light yellow dogs too.

[ferJenna]

I'm sticking to my oil theory :)

[e1beth1]

I'm voting for oil too since it comes off when you bathe her.

[squashynose]

Now I think about it, I don't recall EVER seeing Vernon licking his tail... Maybe dogs don't bother cleaning them much.

[katiem]

Now I think about it, I don't recall EVER seeing Vernon licking his tail... Maybe dogs don't bother cleaning them much.

Does Vernon get yellow tail?

[kurikim]

If it was oil, wouldn't happen to the whole dog and not just the tail?

I have no clue though. Muy interestante.

[wishbone]

Maybe it's the oil, since it's the tail it has more dirt and maybe the urine could add up.

[katiem]

If it was oil, wouldn't happen to the whole dog and not just the tail?



I was thinking that too. Jeanie is more likely to lick her tail then let say between her shoulderblades, but they are white? I've noticed it in lots of white dogs so I'm sure its not just her.

Oh well, I guess it'll remain a mystery!

[ferJenna]

Normally if a dog licks itself a lot, it turns a shade of red though..

[xpalaboyx]

hmm this made me think also... i used to have a white dog and i also noticed that his tail is a little bit yellow or cream in color. I dont know what makes it that way...

[squashynose]

Maybe it's something to do with the scent gland on the tail?

[That_girl]

Ok I looked at Preacher's tail at the kennel today. He's a completely white pointer, minus a few freckles on his ears.

He does NOT have any yellow on his tail. I don't know if this helps or goes against your theory, but I just wanted to throw it out there. BTW- he's about 2, intact.

[squashynose]

Oh forgot to say, Vernon doesn't have a yellow tail, but a few dogs that've been thru the kennels have... Although I couldn't get Chloe's yellow tail white, no matter how many baths she had...

[katiem]

Strange. I'm keeping tabs on Jeanie to see how long it takes since her bath for her tail to become yellow again.

Did that sentence make any sense?

[ferJenna]

Yep :)