Getting enough light.
 

What do you suggest for improving the face area on a dog when you have black hair and eyes?

Many moons ago I was asked to photograph a friends black labrador. I don't recall having any special problem. If you expose for the dog and the background is not much brighter than a mid tone then all the fur detail will be seen. The classic error you see is that the black dog is photographed against a bright scene and all the fur detail is pushed down into the shadows.

Thank you, you hit it, I had been trying a light background.