u/midnightsun987

I can’t find any information about CDA specifically in Brussels Griffon (smooth coat) so posting here to hopefully get some answers.

I am under contract to receive a 13 mo old female BG, with the delivery date of tomorrow. I did notice that her color was unique but I thought she was just a light brown, I had no idea she was considered blue until today when the breeder called me with some concerns.

The breeder noticed her sudden hair loss after her spay procedure, and told me that she’s postponing the delivery so that I can decide if I want a refund or if I want to keep her. Obviously, I fell in love with this dog and want to keep her.

I did a lot of digging online and I’m fairly certain she has CDA. (She’s not itchy which rules out allergy and she also has no Cushings symptoms). I found one instagram influencer Brussels Griffon that is blue, and he has the same thin hair.

What I need help understanding is the effect this disorder has on Brussels Griffons specifically. The info I can find online about CDA is mostly about labs, chihuahuas and dachshunds. And it seems like it’s really the luck of the draw when it comes to managing the alopecia with medical interventions, some dogs respond well to melatonin and fish oil, some don’t.

Does anyone have experience with CDA in BGs? Is it pretty much the same as CDA in all breeds?

I set out to find an adult Brussels Griffon to buy and fell in love with a 13 month old female I found posted by a breeder who wanted to let her go because she didn’t grow to be full size, and the breeder didn’t want to use as a dam anymore. I noticed that the dog’s color was unusual, like a light brown, but I didn’t think anything of it.

I’m under contract to get her and she was supposed to fly home to me tomorrow. The breeder called me today to express concern over her sudden hair loss. She just got spayed a week or two ago and the hair loss followed. The breeder offered a full refund, but I absolutely fell in love with this dog and I don’t want to not have her anymore. I set up her bed and toys and I’m all ready to welcome her, you get the deal.

Well, I spent the whole day researching what could be causing the alopecia, and I am pretty certain it’s color dilute alopecia (CDA) because the breeder confirmed her coloring is considered blue. It is impossible to find information regarding CDA in Brussels Griffons given the rarity of the breed and color, but I have found a lot of information about CDA in labs, chihuahuas and dachshunds. It seems like the severity of the CDA is a huge range from thinning to completely bald, and some dogs respond better to interventions than others. Overall, CDA cannot be cured because it’s a genetic abnormality, not a disease.

I also remembered there is an instagram famous Brussels Griffon, Carl. I scoured through Carl’s pictures (account name is @ Pluto) and he also looks like he is struggling with alopecia. I dmed the account a few hours ago for advice but haven’t gotten a reply, so my question to this subreddit is:

Do you have a Brussels Griffon affected by CDA? How severe is it? How did it progress over time? Is this manageable? Is it stupid of me to not get a refund if I’m walking into a lifetime of expensive treatments?

I’m very distraught and had no intention of seeking out a non-standard color. I really just did not want to raise a puppy (I live in an apartment) and was looking to find a smooth coat adult female. Tomorrow, I will be sitting in on FaceTime during her vet appointment where I will try to ask questions, though I hope this community can give me some advice as well.

Also- Please don’t insult me for not doing research on her coat color before falling in love, I wish I had done more digging.