Black Muzzle

When Conker was younger (4 months in this picture) he had a black muzzle. It's common for Shiba Inu puppies to be born with black muzzles and retain them until they have their first few sheds. After that, they may have a slight trace of black in a few areas that either stay faint or fade completely with age. Conker's muzzle now has very little black, it's almost all gone. There is a very faint amount on the underside of his muzzle that I suspect will disappear by his fourth birthday.
Some Shibas, often those with more black in their coat, may retain the black muzzle into adulthood.

(October, 2010)