Chow Chow Skin Conditions: Flank Alopecia, Color-Related Issues, and Care

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

What Skin Conditions Are Common in Chow Chows?

Chow Chow skin conditions fall into three broad groups: hair cycle disorders such as Alopecia X, pigment and coat color related changes, and inflammatory or infectious problems such as pemphigus foliaceus, hot spots and bacterial folliculitis. Hypothyroidism, which is common in medium and large breeds, can also thin the coat and predispose the skin to infection.

The breed's thick, stand-off double coat makes early skin disease easy to miss. Owners often notice a change only when the coat looks thin or woolly, when the skin underneath turns dark, or when an odor develops. By then a hair cycle problem may have been present for months, or a small infection may have spread under the fur.

Because several of these conditions look alike at first, the pattern matters: whether the dog is itchy, where the hair loss starts, and whether there are crusts, pustules or moist patches. Our guide to dog hair loss and alopecia gives a broader overview of the causes.

Is It Flank Alopecia or Alopecia X?

In Chow Chows, hair loss on the flanks is most often Alopecia X rather than true seasonal flank alopecia. Alopecia X (historically called growth hormone responsive dermatosis or adrenal sex hormone alopecia) is a hair cycle arrest seen mainly in plush coated Nordic and spitz type breeds, with the Chow Chow and Pomeranian best described (Frank, 2005).

Alopecia X usually begins in young adult dogs as loss of the guard hairs, leaving a dry, cottony puppy-like undercoat. Hair then thins symmetrically over the trunk, rear thighs, neck and tail, while the head and front legs are usually spared. The exposed skin commonly darkens. The dog is otherwise healthy and the skin is not itchy unless a secondary infection develops.

Seasonal (cyclic) flank alopecia is a different condition, best described in breeds such as Boxers, Airedale Terriers and Schnauzers. It causes sharply outlined, darkened patches on the flanks that often appear in autumn or winter and regrow months later. Both conditions are mainly cosmetic, but they must be distinguished from hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease, which cause similar hair loss and affect general health. See our full guide to Alopecia X in dogs.

What Color-Related Skin Issues Affect Chow Chows?

Two kinds of color change matter in the breed. The first is hyperpigmentation, the darkening of skin that has lost its hair cover. It is a typical feature of Alopecia X and also follows chronic inflammation, so dark skin by itself does not identify the cause.

The second is color dilution alopecia, a follicular dysplasia linked to the dilute coat color gene. Pigment clumps inside the hair shafts weaken them, so the hairs break and the coat thins, often with scaling and recurrent bacterial folliculitis (Philipp et al., 2005). It is best known in blue Dobermans, but dilute blue and cinnamon coats in other breeds, including Chow Chows, can be affected. Diagnosis is made by examining hairs under the microscope and by skin biopsy. Our guide to color dilution alopecia covers this in more detail.

Loss of pigment, the opposite change, is a warning sign. Fading on the nose, lips or eyelids can occur with pemphigus or with uveodermatologic syndrome and needs prompt veterinary attention.

The table below compares the main Chow Chow skin conditions.

Why Do Chow Chows Get Pemphigus, Hot Spots and Infections?

Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs, and the Chow Chow is one of the breeds most consistently reported as predisposed (Olivry, 2006). Antibodies attack the connections between skin cells, producing pustules that quickly become crusts on the bridge of the nose, around the eyes, on the ear flaps and on the footpads. It needs a biopsy to confirm and immunosuppressive medication to control.

Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) and superficial bacterial folliculitis are more everyday problems. The dense coat holds water after bathing or rain, and shed undercoat that is not brushed out forms mats that keep the skin warm and damp. Any itch from fleas or allergy then leads to licking and scratching, and staphylococci on the skin surface take advantage (Hillier et al., 2014).

Hair cycle disorders add to the risk: thin, broken hair and abnormal skin protect the surface less well, so dogs with Alopecia X or color dilution alopecia can develop recurrent bumps and crusts. Learn more in our guides on pemphigus in dogs and double-coated dog skin problems.

How to Treat Chow Chow Skin Conditions at Home

Home care cannot reverse Alopecia X or control pemphigus, but it can manage the hot spots, bumps and surface infections that make Chows uncomfortable, and it supports whatever plan your veterinarian puts in place.

1. Get the cause identified. Symmetrical hair loss, pigment loss or crusts on the face need a veterinary workup, because hormonal and autoimmune diseases need specific treatment.
2. Clip and expose small hot spots. Carefully trim the hair around a moist patch so air reaches the skin, then clean it gently with lukewarm water.
3. Apply an antiseptic to infected areas. Use a chlorhexidine product on hot spots, red bumps and crusted patches as directed on the label (Mueller et al., 2012).
4. Prevent licking and chewing. A cone or soft recovery collar stops self-trauma while the skin settles.
5. Dry the undercoat completely. After baths or wet walks, use a high-velocity or cool-setting dryer down to the skin, since a damp undercoat favors bacteria.
6. Brush out shed undercoat several times a week. Line brushing to the skin prevents mats and lets you spot new problems early.
7. Reassess after one to two weeks. With consistent use, a mild superficial infection typically starts to improve within that time. Spreading, painful, draining or recurring lesions need your veterinarian.

Veterinary Treatment Options for Chow Chow Skin Conditions

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. For Alopecia X, veterinarians first rule out hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease with blood tests. Neutering, melatonin and trilostane have all been used to encourage regrowth, with variable and often temporary results (Cerundolo et al., 2004). Because the condition is cosmetic, many owners choose to accept the coat change and focus on skin protection. Pemphigus foliaceus is treated with prescription immunosuppressive drugs, and color dilution alopecia is managed with gentle bathing and control of secondary folliculitis.

Secondary bacterial infection is where topical antiseptics fit. Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that binds to bacterial cell walls and disrupts the cell membrane, and it is one of the best supported topical agents for superficial pyoderma in dogs (Mueller et al., 2012). Vetified Chlorhexidine Spray contains chlorhexidine and is suited to localized hot spots, scabs and small infected patches, while Chlorhexidine Shampoo covers larger areas of the trunk. Both are FDA-registered OTC veterinary drugs listed on DailyMed. Neither treats the hormonal or autoimmune disease itself.

Widespread infection, deep or draining lesions, or infection that keeps coming back usually needs cytology, sometimes culture, and prescription treatment. Our bacterial skin infections in dogs page explains how these infections are managed, and our article on hypothyroidism and skin problems covers one of the most important underlying causes to rule out.

How Can You Protect a Chow Chow's Skin Long Term?

Long-term care for a Chow is mostly coat management and early detection. A thorough brush-out to the skin several times a week, more during seasonal shedding, keeps the undercoat from matting and gives you a regular look at the skin. Avoid shaving the coat unless your veterinarian advises it, because clipped plush coats in breeds prone to Alopecia X sometimes regrow poorly.

Keep year-round flea control in place, since even a few bites can trigger itching and hot spots. Bathe only as often as needed and always dry the coat fully. For dogs with recurrent folliculitis, your veterinarian may suggest a regular antiseptic bath as part of maintenance.

Watch the face as well as the body. New crusts on the nose or ear tips, or fading of the black pigment on the nose and lips, should be checked promptly. Annual examinations, including thyroid testing when the coat changes, help catch problems before they become extensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Chow Chow losing hair on its sides?

In Chow Chows, symmetrical hair loss on the flanks, thighs and tail is most often Alopecia X, a non-itchy hair cycle disorder. Your veterinarian should rule out hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease, which can look similar.

Is Alopecia X in Chow Chows painful or dangerous?

Alopecia X is considered a cosmetic condition and is not painful on its own. The exposed skin can burn in sun, feel cold and develop secondary infections, so it still needs protection and monitoring.

Why is my Chow Chow's skin turning black?

Skin often darkens after it loses its hair cover, which is a typical feature of Alopecia X, and chronic inflammation can cause the same change. Dark skin alone does not identify the cause, so look at the pattern of hair loss and whether the dog is itchy.

Can I use chlorhexidine on my Chow Chow's hot spots?

Chlorhexidine is a commonly used topical antiseptic for hot spots and mild superficial bacterial infection in dogs. Clip and clean the area first, follow the label, and see your veterinarian if the spot spreads or does not start to improve within one to two weeks.

Sources

1. Frank LA. Growth hormone-responsive alopecia in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2005;226(9):1494-1497. DOI
2. Cerundolo R, Lloyd DH, Persechino A, Evans H, Cauvin A. Treatment of canine Alopecia X with trilostane. Veterinary Dermatology. 2004;15(5):285-293. DOI
3. Olivry T. A review of autoimmune skin diseases in domestic animals: I, superficial pemphigus. Veterinary Dermatology. 2006;17(5):291-305. DOI
4. Philipp U, Hamann H, Mecklenburg L, et al. Polymorphisms within the canine MLPH gene are associated with dilute coat color in dogs. BMC Genetics. 2005;6:34. DOI
5. Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Veterinary Dermatology. 2014;25(3):163 to e43. DOI
6. Mueller RS, Bergvall K, Bensignor E, Bond R. A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast. Veterinary Dermatology. 2012;23(4):330-e62. DOI

Related Reading

• Alopecia X in Dogs: Black Skin Disease, Causes & Treatment
• Color Dilution Alopecia in Dogs: Breeds at Risk
• Pemphigus in Dogs: Autoimmune Blistering Disease

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.