ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUNGI PRESENT IN HEALTHY DOGS' HAIR AND IN DOGS WITH SYMPTOMS OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS IN THE CITY OF ARAÇATUBA, SÃO PAULO ABSTRACT:The Dermatophytosis (Ringworm) is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic fungi called dermatophytes. The aim of this study was to identify fungi present in healthy dogs hair and with symptoms of dermaphytosis in Araçatuba, São Paulo. One hundred of hair samples were collected, 50 of these from apparently healthy dogs collected in veterinary clinics and pet shops, and 50 from dogs with symptoms of dermatophytosis collected on zoonosis control centers. In each group, 25 samples were from males and 25 from females. For the detection of fungi, an examination direct in hair was conducted by clarifying with potassium hydroxide 20% and observation under a microscope. It was also performed culture, with Petri dishes with further macroscopic and microscopic identification of agents. In both groups, all samples were positive. In healthy animals, the most found fungus was Penicillium spp., followed by the dermatophyte Microsporumcanis. In animals with symptoms of dermatophytosis, the most isolated fungus was also the Penicillium spp., but dermatophytes Microsporumcanis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes had great prominence. According to the results, it was concluded that the dogs are natural reservoirs of saprobic fungus and dermatophyte even without apparent injury in the skin. There was no difference between sexes and the highest occurrence was the dermatophyte Microsporumcanis.