A dog's hair turns white when dog worry

As with human hair, dog dander can also go gray if they are through hard times, according to a recent study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

"Dogs are considered owners often experience anxiety or impulsivity tend to have a muzzle with the hair graying earlier than other dogs," said study lead author, Camille King.

In a study involving 400 dogs and their owners, the researchers made an exception. They did not examine the dog that did have feathers gray or silver, and dogs older than four years, in order to avoid misidentification of gray.

To measure the level of anxiety dogs, the researchers asked several questions about the behavior of the animal to its owner, such as: whether a dog is often destroy the goods when left alone, whether bristles often fall out when receiving treatment at the vet or in a new place, and whether the dog likes curl up when responding to the arrival of a new group of people.

Meanwhile, to measure impulsivity, researchers asked whether their pet dog owners often hit a person, although it can be appeased, and whether the dog they lose focus or become hyperactive after exercise.

Then, two independent assessors who have never met the dogs will assess each photo on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no gray in the muzzle, and three showed a muzzle full of gray hair.
The researchers found that female dogs tend to have gray levels higher than male dogs. In addition, dogs that show a fear of loud noises, animals and strangers also tends to increase gray hair.

Preferably, graying fur has nothing to do with the size of the dog, neutered or not, and have a medical problem or not.

"Initially, I was somewhat skeptical of this hypothesis, but when we analyze the data, the results are quite striking," said lead author of both studies, Thomas Smith from Northern Illinois University.

With this discovery, the dog owners and veterinarians can get a warning if a dog gray at an early age, there is a possibility that the dog is having problems of anxiety, fear or impulsivity. Thus, early treatment measures can be carried out before already severe.