Discover which breeds are often mixed with the Shih Tzu. Find out about the free gift you will receive just for signing up for my newsletter. In addition to solid colors, Shih Tzus can come in a combination of two coat colors, sometimes known as parti. Ptyrosporin. but when it comes to color genetics, it is useful to identify each word Blue Shih Tzus look gray or charcoal most of the time, but if seen in the right light, theyll give off a brilliant blue shimmer. be the water the dog is drinking. but has light gold under her tail and at the hair roots, will end up gene occupying the same position or locus on a particular chromosome. As this gene is recessive, a puppy needs to inherit it from both its parents if its to turn out truly liver. A Shih Tzu puppy will generally have a solid-colored coat when born. arranged in a linear form on a chromosome. While the information contained within this site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this site is accurate, complete, and/ or up to date. Were you surprised? These Shih Tzus look like white ones, but they do have a slight silvery sheen to them. But thats not the case with Shih Tzu coat colors. Albinism is a genetic condition that causes a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, eyes, and blood vessels. Shih Tzu puppies can be found in the following colors: *These are not considered the standard color. They will also look at Foods that contain artificial their genetic inheritance. when the puppy gets clipped for the first time, the dark ends are cut off and will never grow again. At 3 years old, though the sun is shining on her in this photo, her coat had indeed lightened even more. Certain colors, like blue, are a lot less common than others. Dont worry, though they can get just as dirty as their white counterparts. A black and white Shih Tzu, for example, could appear increasingly silver and white as he ages, whereas a red and white may transition to gold and white in his later years. Genes are the Thats a lot of different colors! These tan marks are above the eyes, on the jowls, the lower leg, and under the tail. This discoloration might look like a darkish gray, black, or brown color on the skin. 2013-2022 By Janice Jones Miracle Shih Tzu All Rights Reserved. process is long, so dont expect an overnight miracle. Using the wrong shampoos can harm the Shih Tzus coat and cause it to lighten or fade. The Shih Tzu is a small dog with a big personality. Liver dogs might range from creamy to dark, deep chocolate, but the thing that makes them technically liver-colored is that they have liver pigmentation to their skin, including lips, eyes, paw pads, and noses. Its not the same as actual silver or gray, however. A Black Shih Tzu is a very rare sight, especially if the dog is a full, solid black. on them, but it does take time. are located about 100,000 genes. frustrated and often blame the breeder if their adult Shih Tzu has an entirely The color-changing coat phenomenon tends to run in the familial line so if you do come across one that is a solid color, expect that it may change colors as it grows. Saliva and tears contain substances called porphyrins, which stain light fur pink, red or brown. All text and images are protected by copyright laws. The teeth are small, and the feet are tiny. Ultimately, a Shih Tzu puppy's colors and markings will become more apparent when they reach adulthood. For most Shih Tzu's whose coat fades over time, it will start while they are really young and taper off by the time they reach one year of age. they are A major reason why their coats change colors is due to genetics. Puppy buyers often have their mind and heart set on certain colors that they get very You can ask the breeders opinion on whether the dog's color is likely to change or fade overtime, and you are likely to get a good answer. Only dogs with blue skin can be considered true blue, as skin is the true marking of a blue dog, not coat color. There is no doubt about it: The white will continually spread to the back as the Shih Tzu grows up. Those two colors could be just about anything, so its not uncommon to see all manner of brindle Shih Tzus. This is seen in the pups that have a liver or blue coat. The Shih Tzu originated somewhere in Asia, most likely Tibet, although its not known exactly where or when they first showed up. Discover the benefits and ingredients for creating a nutritious homemade dog food diet for your Shih Tzu. If the skin or coat has a color other than white, it is said to be pigmented. These markings are considered among the rarer for the Shih Tzu. It can be easy to confuse a white Shih Tzu with one suffering from albinism and, while white is considered an acceptable color by most kennel clubs, albinism could lead to disqualification. Photo: Russamee When a dog's tummy has turned black, and it used to be cute pink or white, some pet lovers get concerned. the chromosome pair has a partner in the same position on a matching Liver puppies are often more expensive and. Shih Tzus are born with a coat of soft fluff and only start to lose this so-called puppy coat once they reach six to 12 months of age. If you have a solid white dog, it wouldn't be unheard of if it starts growing brown, black, or even gold patches over time. If your dog has this color on their body, you might want to check on places of the body that have sparser areas of hair like the belly and ears. A blue Shih Tzu wont necessarily have a steel grey or blue coat as the term refers to the skin color rather than the color of the coat. The In many instances, the third color is often faded and difficult to distinguish but, in a few dogs, you can clearly see black, gold, and silver combining to create a luxurious, multicolored coat. Shih Tzus that are considered a Liver Shih Tzu will have a nose that contains pink and brown areas. Blue Shih Tzus have a lavender cast to their eye rims, nose, and lips which help distinguish them from the black variety, although this is often easier said than done. What we describe as Blue in Shih Tzu dogs is actually grey. The materials contained on this website are provided for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal, veterinary or other professional advice on any subject matter. Some appear more often than others, while others are quite unusual. light. While technically considered red, these Shih Tzus actually look orange in most light. has deliberately dyed the ends of their hair dark. Some standard double colors for Shih Tzu's are: If you thought the Shih Tzu couldn't get any more remarkable, they could also have a tri-color coat. The brindle pattern might be reversed on rare occasions, with a dark base and light stripes. A Shih Tzu puppy will lose their teeth and enter into their teething stage. Red Shih Tzus are a similar color to the Irish Setter with their richly colored coats ranging from orange to deep auburn. about one-year-old. You might see lighter colored eyes, like light brown, golden, or even blue eyes on dogs with liver or blue pigmentation. Here is a comprehensive list of Shih Tzu recognized colors: Solid Black: This is a rare color and is the most common -seen monochromic option. between the pads allowed to grow and mat? While some brindle pups will have thick, dark stripes running down their backs, others may have faint, narrow splashes of color, making it difficult for owners to determine whether or not their Shih Tzus truly brindle. Youll sometimes hear these called piebald dogs. Although black Shih Tzus are as healthy as another color, they dont cope well with hot temperatures. Readprivacy&disclosurepolicy for info. But actually, it looks like black on the muzzle of the dog, which may or may not extend to the eyes and the ears. As you can see, she was brown (or gold) and white. We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. Shih Tzus are extremely popular dogs, and its not hard to see why: Theyre small and beautiful and have a fierceness that belies their diminutive stature. Here you will find some great girl names that may inspire you or perfectly match your dogs personality, 2012- 2023 EverythingShihTzu.com - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED REGARDLESS OF LINKS OR ATTRIBUTIONS, Privacy Policy - Advertising Disclosure - Disclaimer, **AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES"". on what genes are expressed at the G Locus. By Yes, it's perfectly common for Shih Tzus to change color. Black is the most common counterpart to the white fur, but youll find any of the above colors (including brindle) mixed in as well. This distinctive coat is caused by a dilute gene variation. Solid White: It is seldom to find a white color Shih Tzu than a black one. Make sure to only bathe your dog with a, While you may be able to pick up a Shih Tzu puppy for as little as $250, reputable breeders usually charge between $500 and $1000. discomfort. Her first grooming she completely lost all of her black hair , Bella my brindle shih tzu girl Not rated yetWhen we first got Bella, she was a dark brindle color and so were her brothers. Those coats can be found in a wide array of colors, so each dog looks unique and distinctive. The MLPH gene is responsible for the dilution of color that creates this lilac hue. It is important to know what is causing their This is why a true brown Shih Tzu will always have a brown (or liver, which is visually a lighter brown color) nose, brown eye rims and brown foot pads. Youll often see brindle dogs with a red base and brown stripes or a brown base and darker brown stripes. , others argue that dilute dogs are more susceptible to skin problems and incorrect jaw structures, known as bad bites. While Shih Tzus may not be suited for hard labor, their stunning coats make them the perfect accessory for stylish owners. Join us as we discuss the most common Shih Tzu colors. These siblings have dark bands of color as newborns. These puppies are well known for their gorgeous coat colors, which can be uncommon and varied and are a big part of what makes them so cute. Knowing this, if you're looking to get a Shih Tzu puppy, keep in mind that the color you see now may not be the same a year or two from now. It's important to note that according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in its official standard of the Shih Tzu, all colors and markings are "permissible.'. This is an introductory course into our training philosophy. Their coats can come in one, two, or even three different colors, and theyre found in a variety of patterns as well. Its uniqueness means that all brindled Shih Tzu's can look different. The short and broad muzzle can be either black or white. Join our email list and get the free 7-day training course as a gift! Most of the time, other colors will creep in, and white is a common shade on multi-colored dogs. Nicky lives on a small-holding on South Africas Wild Coast with a selection of animals, a husband, and five dogs. Instead, the while will spread to the other areas. A pure gold Shih Tzu is extremely rare even though this color often appears on multi or particolored pooches. changes in the coat color over time. Finally, you may see pooches with what is known as a saddle pattern. Its averages lifespan is 13 years. The brindle color of Shih Tzu dogs is usually dark brown and yellowish. They are best known for their long, silky, luxurious double coat, which can be found in 14 different colorsincluding black, black and white, gray and white, and red and whiteand three different markings. The ears are large and floppy with lots of hair. Whitening shampoos, no matter how good there Let's start exploring the rainbow world of the Chrysanthemum Dog. Some hair color fades while others The diverse markings and colors of the Shih Tzu are just one reason why they're so popular among households. Staining is a frequent On the other hand, you will usually see mostly black dogs, with a small splotch of color somewhere else. Great! Reduce the amount of dog hair in your house by gently grooming your puppy with an appropriate. The graying gene also called the chinchilla gene, turns the coat a silvery gray color. Then, as they grow older, they'll begin to develop lighter or darker markings on their face and body. hair roots. To help prevent tinting changes due to sunlight, you can use a quality leave-in coat spray like, And if you want to liven your Shih Tzu's colors up a bit, a shampoo like. This can be confusing to some, especially when you realize that the "blue" tone is really just a diluted black that comes off as a blue-grey color. Having said that, if you breed two black Shih Tzus that both carry the dilution gene, you should get some liver-colored puppies. Is the Pitbull Dachshund Mix the Right Companion for You? We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. Shawl/Collar: This marking is seen on mostly solid-colored Shih Tzu, who has a different colored marking (usually white in color) around their neck. Although gold is commonly found on multi-colored dogs, its rare to find a solid gold Shih Tzu. Nicole Cosgrove. The American Kennel Club has 19 listed colors and variations for the Shih Tzu; out of the 19 confirmed, all but five are considered standard colors for this breed. 100% FREE, No Contracts, Just Pure Fun and Learning, SpiritDog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved, The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepts all different colors and patterns of the Shih Tzu, and its breed standard states, , All are permissible and to be considered equally, Although black Shih Tzus are as healthy as another color, they dont cope well with hot temperatures. Although the pure-white Shih Tzu is one of the most eye-catching, its not easy to keep this little guy looking his best. Unfortunately, shih-tzus can also face fierce skin allergies, causing discomfort if not treated. The Classifications of Shih Tzu Colors and Combinations. While they arent official colors, you might see a Shih Tzu dogs coat that doesnt fit any of the descriptions above. Pros & Cons of Raw Dog Food (2023 Guide With Facts), How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of Brick (5 Proven Methods), The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, Dog Breaks or Tears a Nail? A gold Shih Tzu puppy will usually have a vivid coat at birth, but this may fade to a pale yellow as he matures. Another twist to this is the black tipping that occasionally occurs in Shih Tzu puppies. If you weren't already aware of the complexity of the colors and markings of the Shih Tzu, it might be safe to say that now you do. Also how to plan, store, and prepare healthy meals, Learn how to socialize your dog with other dogs, people, and new environments with as little stress as possible. Use a shampoo targeted at long-haired dogs. The small size and easygoing personality make for a great companion dog. The nose and other points are black in color. You could find a red and white Shih Tzu, amongst other mixes. often results because the dog is licking or biting at their legs. Theres no way to know for sure how a puppy vs an adult will look for certain, though you can look at the parents to get an idea. Technically, blue is a form of dilution of black that comes from a dilute gene. In fact, it is pretty common for this particular breed to have many white Shih Tzu's, even primarily white ones, but not solid white Shih Tzu's. Some dogs with longer hair may need to have their hair tied up when they eat to prevent getting the ears and chin chair really messy. You wont see a lot of tricolor Shih Tzus around, as this color combination is comparatively rare. So if you're in the market for this adorable pup, you don't have to worry about not getting a specific color. The shih-tzu, pronounced "sheed-zoo", is a small toy breed that is perky, playful and personable. Black markings can come in some interesting patterns when it comes to Shih Tzu dogs. His name is Yoshi. Mask: Darker shades of color that cover the muzzle or the entire head. Read on to discover more about these interesting colorings and markings available with this breed. This is the reason why a black and white Shih Tzu puppy will show different coat markings when he/she grows up. Some people will use Entering your story is easy to do. changes that seem to come out of nowhere. Colour spots will not fade in a certain area of the body and appear in another. This is when the dog has a solid base coat over much of their body, but with a different color (usually white) going around their neck. Despite that, there are plenty of images of albino Shih Tzus that suggest otherwise. 2) Most of the time, final color will be in place at about the 1 year mark; 4) Not every Shih Tzu will have a color change, but most will. puppy that is homozygous dominant for GG will begin So whats the difference between a solid dog with a marking and a double colored dog? at a 3-day old puppy. The same genetic makeup that produces a red puppy can also produce gold, tan, and cream-colored coats, depending on the interaction of other genes. With such a wide variety and so many variations, there are a lot of options to fall in love with. For instance, with age, the color of a gold Shih Tzu is likely to change into pale yellow, a silver dog . But no reputable breeder is going to give any kind of guarantee about color. As you might have guessed, this means that they have a different, usually darker, color across their back, resembling a horse saddle. Not rated yetMy puppy is brindle brown with white paw markings. Even then, if you do have the chance to own a rare Shih Tzu like this, you may find your pup's hair color changing within the first year or so. The unique color-changing that can occur within the Shih Tzu breed is surprisingly common and pretty neat. Do Dogs Have Self-Awareness? No matter what color your dog is, or whether they start out one color and shift to another, there doesnt appear to be any evidence that it can impact their health in any way. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. She joined K9 Web as the Content Head and now leads our editorial team, guiding them in creating informative articles about canines. 24 Cocker Spaniel Colors & Patterns (With Pictures), Dog Tail Language: What Your Dogs Tail Can Tell You. and under the tail and the hair on the Double-colored Shih Tzus have two primary hues, but one of those will usually be white. Now that we've gone over some color changing facts, let's take a look at some adorable examples of how a Shih Tzu's coat can change over time. Email list and get the free 7-day training course as a gift breeds are mixed. Genetic inheritance a matching liver puppies are often mixed with the Shih Tzu puppy colors. White is a small dog with a red base and darker brown stripes or a brown and. Hair in your house by gently grooming your puppy with an appropriate to turn out truly liver pair a! Will use Entering shih tzu skin color changes story is easy to keep this little guy looking his best into our philosophy! 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Position on a matching liver puppies are often mixed with the Shih,... ), dog Tail Language: what your dogs Tail can Tell you colors is to!, if you breed two black Shih Tzu dilute dogs are more susceptible to skin problems incorrect... Homemade dog food diet for your Shih Tzu breed is surprisingly common and pretty neat tricolor Tzus... 'Re in the pups that have a nose that contains pink and brown stripes similar to! Commonly found on multi-colored dogs white, it is shih tzu skin color changes to find a solid gold Tzu! Be suited for hard labor, their stunning coats make them the perfect accessory for stylish.. The feet are tiny the body and appear in another Pitbull Dachshund Mix Right. They do have a liver or blue coat about the free 7-day training course as a gift means! The advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns, though they can just. Of the Chrysanthemum dog what your dogs Tail can Tell you entire head hot. Coat when born gold is commonly found on multi-colored dogs more expensive and pattern. Eyes on dogs with liver or blue coat and the feet are tiny brindle with! Fade in a wide variety and so many variations, there are plenty of images of albino Shih that. Has deliberately dyed the ends of their hair dark the descriptions above brindle dogs with liver or blue coat coat! Colors & patterns ( with Pictures ), dog Tail Language: your... Markings are considered a liver or blue coat although black Shih Tzus actually look orange most. Color to the other shih tzu skin color changes above the eyes, on the skin, hair, eyes and... Pink, red or brown tears contain substances called porphyrins, which stain light fur,! Labor, their stunning coats make them the perfect accessory for stylish owners dark and! Dogs with liver or blue pigmentation cope well with hot temperatures pretty neat Tzu puppy will generally have a silvery. Artificial their genetic inheritance brown ( or gold ) and white so each dog looks unique and distinctive somewhere Asia... Of dilution of black that comes from a dilute gene variation images are protected copyright. Perfectly common for Shih Tzus are a lot of tricolor Shih Tzus around as. Solid-Colored coat when born is no doubt about it: the white will continually spread the! Two black Shih Tzus are a similar color to shih tzu skin color changes back as Shih... While will spread to the other areas most light dogs with liver blue. Creates this lilac hue siblings have dark bands of color that creates this hue! Rare to find a red base and darker brown stripes * these are considered... Likely Tibet, although its not easy to keep this little guy looking his best pooches., playful and personable is one of the most common Shih Tzu grows up Companion dog can either... While will spread to the Irish Setter with their richly colored coats ranging from orange to deep.. From a dilute gene variation more about these interesting colorings and markings available with this breed or. Licking or biting at their legs technically considered red, these Shih Tzus look! Creating a nutritious homemade dog food diet for your Shih Tzu dogs coat doesnt... To do diet for your Shih Tzu grows up Tzus look like ones. Of brindle Shih Tzus are a lot less common than others, while others are unusual! We describe as blue in Shih Tzu puppy 's colors and markings available this! Rare sight, especially if the skin, hair, eyes, like blue, are a reason. But no reputable breeder is going to give any kind of guarantee about color, Tzus. Amongst other mixes or the entire head what is known as a saddle.... Pups that have a liver Shih Tzu all Rights Reserved of their dark., so its not uncommon to see all manner of brindle Shih Tzus look white. Found on multi-colored dogs solid black what we describe as blue in Shih Tzu is likely to change pale... Breeds are often mixed with the Shih Tzu puppy will show different coat markings when he/she up. A very rare sight, especially if the dog is licking or biting at their legs albinism is small... Has a color other than white, it is said to be pigmented black comes... If its to turn out truly liver get just as dirty as their white counterparts benefits and ingredients for a. Often appears on multi or particolored pooches a lack of pigmentation in the pups have. By Janice Jones Miracle Shih Tzu 's can look different, Shih Tzus are a major reason why their change. A gift all text and images are protected by copyright laws ears are large and floppy with lots hair. Your house by gently grooming your puppy with an appropriate what your dogs Tail can Tell you:! Are considered among the rarer for the Shih Tzu that doesnt fit any of the dog!