Dark Spots or Pigmented Skin

Yetta asks:

My 1 year old Bichon has big dark spot all over her skin. When I clip her close you can really see them. The hair that grows out of the spots is white. The spots are not raised at all.
Can Bichons have spots like these? Thanks for any help, Pam

Jillian responds:

All of my bichons have those spots...I think it is normal.
Not to worry.......Jill

DarStar responds:

Mine does too--I thought it was weird for a white dog too, but their skin isn't exactly like a pink skinned doggie--black nosies and tosies and all.

ShirleyMae63 responds:

My furbies have mottled skin also... My thinner haired female more so than the curly male...
My female also has warts...
shirley

Emlee1 responds:

I tried to find in one of my Bichon books about the dark skin pigment, but can't seem to find it right now. It does not take away from the Bichon, in the sense that it is not counted against the breed when they are in shows. My groomer told me that all the Bichons they groom have some of the spots. Both of mine do, and even though they are sisters, one has more and larger ones than the other. I can see it on one of the ears and lots on the tummies. Sure are cute, aren't they? Emlee

Melissa M responds:

Emlee is right. The dark pigmentation is perfectly normal. I've found that it fades in the winter when they aren't exposed to the sun as much and the spots darken on female bichons who have had a litter.
Speaking of litters.....my 2nd female bichon, Buttons, whelped a litter of 5 pups last Thursday. She has 3 wee girls, and 2 strapping (haha) boys. Gosh, they're small! Her pups are so small compared to Twinkie's! All are healthy, and mom is doing great.
One of Twink's pups went to her new home and the other will be with us until renovations are completed in her new owner's home. It's been busy around here, and sleeping-in is unheard of, but I wouldn't have it any other way

Aspen 97 responds:

My mother and I call them freckles. Aspen had them as a puppy but have disappeared now. My mother's bichon, Prissy, had them as a puppy and disappeared also, but have now come back.

Rascal responds:

Yes, Bichons have spotting on their skin. Mine has a lighter spotting. Also, as your Bichon ages if there is apricot in the blood line that will also show up. At first you'll think you missed a spot or that the whitener is not working but it is.