Can Dogs Have Birthmarks?

Dogs, like humans, are born with all kinds of body markings. Everything from birthmarks to scabs and moles develop over the course of a dog's life, and it is up to the owner to differentiate these markings. Keeping a watchful eye on your dog's skin is important because changes in a raised bump or skin pattern happen discretely underneath the fur. However, with the help of your veterinarian, the markings on your dog will be understood from the start.

  1. What Is a Birthmark?

    • A dog's birthmark resembles a human's.

      Birthmarks are marks on the body that people and dogs are born with. Raised or flat, regular or irregular edges, birthmarks run the gamut in shades ranging from tan and brown to pink and purple. Red, or vascular birthmarks, are commonly called "strawberry" hemangiomas and port-wine stains.

    Identifying a Dog's Birthmark

    • Comb through and separate a dog's thick fur and you will see one or many large or small birthmarks. On a dog's tongue, for example, there is often a bluish-black mark, which is a deposit of extra pigment. These marks are common in more than 30 dog breeds. Dogs such as the Thai ridgeback, chow chow, shar pei and Eurasiers are born with black or partially black tongues at birth; while collies, Labradors, German shepherds, golden retrievers and Rottweilers are known to develop black spots as they mature.

    A Dog's Birthmark or Mole?

    • A vet will help decide what should be done.

      Pigmented birthmarks, such as moles and Mongolian spots, also occur in dogs. A typical birthmark is flat and seen at birth or shortly afterward, while moles are raised and develop a little later. Moles are a hyper-pigmentation of the skin and are generally benign (not cancerous). However, even benign moles need to be checked and monitored because they can easily turn malignant (cancerous). Consult your vet about your dog's birthmarks and moles and consider a biopsy of any mole that looks suspicious.

    What to Look For

    • Watch your short-haired dog's sun exposure

      Dogs who spend a significant amount of time outdoors can develop skin cancer. Typically skin cancer is seen in older, short-haired dogs. Know where your dog's markings appear and then frequently check to see if the spots are changing, developing crust or bleeding. One indication of skin cancer is a brownish-gray spot, small in size, on the back of the neck or head. In addition, a dog's constant licking or scratching a spot could mean cancer cells are present in the area.