Thank you for your question – definitely a good one!

As dogs age, they do lose a bit of fur on their face but it is more like it is thinning, not going bald. Poodles can suffer from male pattern baldness but this is normally around the abdomen and legs, not the head or face so it is unlikely that even if your mixed breed has a little Poodle in her that this is the cause.

If she is really going bald, not just thinning, I would consider talking to a holistic veterinarian as there may be something you can do. My chief concerns would be food allergies although they would be manifesting in other ways. My other concern would be exposure to too much sun. Is her skin in the area developing a leathery look and feel?

The cracking is odd as well. Is it cracking or an overgrowth problem? Some breeds like Boxers, spaniels, and some Labs develop a scaley, lumpy, splitting appearance to their nose as they age. In some ways I would describe it as cracking but there is the nose develops this overgrowth first, then begins to crack. What I have found works best for this is rubbing a small amount of vitamin E oil twice a day onto the nose and the skin that surrounds the nose. It stops of the overgrowth, softens the dry skin and prevents the cracking. It works wonderfully, is a completely natural remedy and will not hurt the dog.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? Or, Cathy, if what I am describing does not sound like the problem, let me know. If you want to send pictures of the problem, send them to ann@ohmydogsupplies.com and I will have another look at the condition.

Take care,

Ann