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The Blissful Dog
50534 235th Avenue
Clearbrook, MN 5663
Call us 1.855.DOG.BLISS
Email Info@TheBlissfulDog.com
Whether your Irish Wolfhound's nose is a little bit dry or extremely dry, we've got good news! Nose Butter® will soothe and moisturize that poor dry nose and have your Irish Wolfhound back on track fast.
Many dogs with more extreme body types (no body shaming, merely stating our observations) have a tendency toward developing dry noses. Being extreme in any manner, can cause immune system issues. Giant breeds, toy breeds, flat-faced and bully breeds, plus herding/Collie types, heavy-bodied breeds and the nordic breeds (Huskies, etc.) all have nose issues of their own. Yep, the Irish Wolfhound ticks off a couple of those categories.
When a big dog has a dry nose it can look even worse because, well, it is a lot of dry, crusty nose.
Dry dog noses range from a bit dry to the acutely dry nose condition-nasal hyperkeratosis. Of course a dry nose is not life-threatening, but it must be uncomfortable, it inhibits their gathering scents properly and it looks awful. Not only do you have to answer the inevitable, "How much do they EAT?" question, you get "What's wrong with their nose?" every time you take your dog anywhere.
This dryness can be caused by a dry climate, low humidity, illness, medications, stress, breed pre-disposition or immune system issues.
The extreme dry nose, Nasal Hyperkeratosis, is an idiopathic condition (medical speak for don't have a clue) that causes nose tissue to grow uncontrollably, covering the nose in layers of scabby, skin crust.
More detailed info below
While any dog can have Nasal Hyperkeratosis, our research shows a strong correlation between dog breed or breed type and a predisposition to Nasal Hyperkeratosis. There may also be an immune system factor.
Dogs with extreme body types seem to be the most affected.
• Extremely large
• EXtremely flat-faced
• Extremely bully-bodied
• Extremely loose jowls
• Extreme amount of facial folds
• Extremely small
Many dogs have more than one of the factors mentioned above, which leads to an even greater chance of having Nasal Hyperkjeratosis. For example, a Dogue de Bordeaux is a large breed, with a somewhat flat face and heavy, loose jowls.
More breed info is in the FAQs below.
Since 2002 Nose Butter® has been individually handcrafted by The Blissful Dog in far Northern Minnesota using all-natural ingredients. Good stuff you can actually pronounce goes into our Nose Butter!
Plus, we offer eight sizes of tins and tubes for all sizes and needs. Plus, over 125 dog breed labels.
• Shea butter
• Almond oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Castor oil
• Cocoa seed butter
• Avocado oil
• Beeswax
• Unscented
Bliss Bit!Nose Butter is a dense, thick consistency so it will pemetrate the tough tissue of your big dog's dry nose.
These large and giant breeds are more prone to Nasal Hyperkeratosis.
You can see the Large Breeds with heavier heads, somewhat chunkier or shorter noses and more pendulous jowls are more prone to Nasal Hyperkeratosis.
In over 20 years we've had a scant few customers with many oif the larger Terriers request labels.
Bigger Bully Breeds
• American Bulldog
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boxer
• Bulldog
• Olde English Bulldoggee
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Giant/Large/MastiffBreeds
• Bernese Mountain Dog
• Bullmastiff
• Cane Corso
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Fila Brasileiro
• Great Dane
• Great Pyrenees
• Leonberger
• Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Newfoundland
• St. Bernard
• Tibetan Mastiff
Note from Kathy: Some on the list are not what I consider Large or Giant, but then my Tili is 170#. I included Large-ish Breeds also.
#1 Tip - For quicker absorption warm Nose Butter prior to using
• To warm; stick in your pocket, bra, or scoop some out & warm in palm (see image)
• Open the tin or tube
• Gently control your dog's face (side of face or under their chin)
• Avoid head-locks - that's a trigger for many dogs
• Tag Team - have someone hold & you apply
• (Tin) Scoop a bit out appropriate to the size of your dog’s nose
• Dab it on their nose
• Rub it in a bit, you do not have to rub it in completely as it melts quickly, especially if warm
• Distract to keep them from licking or rubbing it off
• Repeat 2-3x a day for 1-3 days or until nose is back in shape
• Then use as needed for maintenance (usually 1-2x a week)
• Apply 2-3x a day (do your best)
• After 2-3 days of 2-3x daily usage, gently rub their nose with tissue and see if the crust crumbles off easily
• If it doesn't immediately crumble off without much effort, keep applying Nose Butter 2-3x a day and testing until it crumbles off
• It will look like greasy, black dirt
• One last caveat - Do NOT Pick! It will be tempting, but don't give in
• One more - TREATS!
The crusty stuff is actually skin and hurts your dog if you pick it off or at it. Plus, it's annoying to them and you want this to be as pleasant as it can be.
• Give a cookie or treat before, during and after Nose Butter application
• Shower your dog with cuddles, pets, repeat as needed
• Feed their dinner (with extra yummies)
• Play your dog's fave game
• Throw a ball - if that's their jam
• Go for a fun walk
• Pet them, lavish praise on them for their overall good dog-ness
• You know your dog better than anyone, find their hot button (why do I suddenly crave oatmeal raisin cookies?)
• TIP! Not only does something positive (like cookies) take their mind off having something done to them, they soon equate Nose Butter with treats.
Ouch! That burn is gonna leave a mark! It's not that your dog loathes Nose Butter (we sure hope not), but they probably DO hate being controlled while being held tightly.
A Hulk Hogan (oops, aged myself) WWE style head-lock is a huge trigger for most dogs. If possible, allow them to stand freely while you apply Nose Butter and be fast, a quick dab will do it.
Additionally, flatter-faced dogs will fight and struggle to protect their already compromised breathing.
This fear trigger of being held tightly may come from when they were puppies. Puppy play involves a lot of wrestling, holding each other down and play-fighting. It's not fun for dogs (or us) to have siblings pile on, hold us down and make us feel helpless while they tickle your feet. (I'm looking at my three sisters).
Stay relaxed and positive and be very generous with treats and your dog will soon enjoy, or tolerate, Nose Butter time.
The Bad News is there is no CURE for Nasal Hyperkeratosis, it is a condition and usually life-long.
Nose Butter can heal the dry nose, it doesn't cure the condition. Yes, it's semantics, but we believe in keeping expectations real.
If you stop using Nose Butter, the dryness and crust will probably come back.
The Good News is maintenance usage of Nose Butter keeps the Nasal Hyperkeratosis under control. Experiment a bit, your dog may need Nose Butter 1-2x a week for maintenance or daily.
As our dogs get older the frequency will rise. They will probably need daily applications as they get into senior years.
When our hands are really cracked and dry we apply lotion to get them in shape, but we can't slather lotion on our hands once and be moisturized for life.
Like cutting your dog's toenails...Nose Butter is part of their health care regimen.