There is one piece scientific knowledge, one piece observation, one piece good record keeping over time, and one piece experience. 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. . Tell us about your dog's coat, color, texture? 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. 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. Not only do Shih Tzus come in a wide variety of different colors, but they can also have a range of patterns and markings. On these chromosomes Technically, the AKC doesnt recognize any brown color at all. This distinctive coat is caused by a dilute gene variation. Ultimately, a Shih Tzu puppy's colors and markings will become more apparent when they reach adulthood. Nope; it's just the awesome color changes that can happen with the Shih Tzu breed. Age also has a significant impact on a silver dogs coat coloration, with older silver Shih Tzus becoming increasingly grey as they mature. under the tail. Although the AKC doesn't recognize it, this color of Shih Tzu is defined by a pale brown color. There are also dogs with dobie markings, though this is very rare. body, there is a good chance that the adults coat color will be that of 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 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. Let's start exploring the rainbow world of the Chrysanthemum Dog. That means that a red Shih Tzu could develop a lighter, golden coat as it grows up, but it won't suddenly grow black. You'd be surprised just how colorful the Shih Tzu is. Here are some spooktacular costumes ideas for your pup, A Shih Tzus lifespan depends on genes, environment, and other things, but it has the potential to be long. 1 The Classifications of Shih Tzu Colors and Combinations. discomfort. This discoloration might look like a darkish gray, black, or brown color on the skin. For instance, some dogs have chocolate coats or chocolate markings. Red Staining on White or Light Colored Hair can appear to resemble Shih Tzu hair color changes. Its averages lifespan is 13 years. This can take first time owners off guard and it often results in some Shih Tzu having a different color than what is listed on their registration papers. While Shih Tzus may not be suited for hard labor, their stunning coats make them the perfect accessory for stylish owners. in pairs, and the number of pairs varies from species to species.We have 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs and dogs have 78 Thats a lot of different colors! Don't forget to add some pictures. Readprivacy&disclosurepolicy for info. These markings are considered among the rarer for the Shih Tzu. (b). infections which really is more of a hair discoloration Tri-colored Shih Tzus are fairly rare and easy to overlook, as the third shade is often faint. Youll often see brindle dogs with a red base and brown stripes or a brown base and darker brown stripes. If the staining occurs under the eyes, the likely culprit is Using bottled or distilled water can 2. Aging also plays a part in the color-changing process. These arent the same as the tricolor Shih Tzu, which will have three colors equally represented. His name is Yoshi. This post may contain affiliate links. It makes the dog look like its wearing you guessed it a tuxedo. You may wonder if this really is the same dog and we can assure you that it is. But thats not the case with Shih Tzu coat colors. Discover what factors affect a Shih Tzu's longevity, Need some ideas for the best girl name for your Shih Tzu? Once the skin darkens, it is unlikely to go away, but it will not cause your dog any pain or discomfort. dyes and colors. What color is your favorite? So, it really just depends on your dog! It is very common, and just about expected, for Shih Tzu dogs to change colors as they mature. Glamorous Little Companions: Shih Tzu Colors. Greying is a very normal While Shih Tzus can come in a wide array of colors, those markings will be arranged in one of the following five patterns. Solid dogs can actually have a marking of another color. 7) There is nothing that can be done to stop a color change, 8) Aside from natural color changes with this breed, there are also other elements that can cause the coat to become tinted differently. Red - this is another solid color that looks like a dark orange. Heart problems tend to be quite common in small and toy breed dogs. (especially a pure-black Shih Tzu). Tuxedo: Mimicking the appearance of a tuxedo, a tuxedo pattern is a solid color marking covering the chest and chin and may cover the feet. Some color schemes available in the breed are white and red, off-white, black, blue, golden, white and silver, gray, white and golden and reddish-brown. Still others The nose and other points are black in color. Generally, a brindle Shih Tzu has a light base color with stripes of a combination of different dark colors. Socialization is the key to a well-behaved dog, The Shih Tzu diet is made up of foods rich in nutrients, but how do you know which ones are best? Do you have some pictures or graphics to add? For instance, a very small patch of white on the chest is a marking on a solid dog, while a black dog that has a white face, feet, tail, and chest would be considered to have a two color combination. Speciality Shih Tzus such as theTeacup Shih Tzuwill be even more pricey. Many white Shih Tzus are not purebred but have been crossed with the Maltese in an effort to perfect the snowy white appearance. A completely solid dog without any markings is pretty rare, but they do exist. There are many genetic tests available for dogs, so if you're interested in knowing more about your dog's coat, that might be an option to consider. Most Shih Tzu dogs coats have multiple colors and markings, although less often, they may come in rare solid colors. and those with XY will be male. Some hair may look black but it will actually be a very dark gunmetal color. This is because when it comes to being a rarity, any solid-colored Shih Tzu is very unusual. Genes are the Dogs with black tips are one color but each strand of hair has a black tip at the end of the hair shaft. This can be a tricky question. Although this diversity has its appeal, it also confuses Shih Tzu owners and breeders, especially as the Shih Tzu will often change color over time. Who knows, the possibilities are endless when it comes to this magnificent breed. , license registration, food and training. They allow brindle and liver, though a dog that is technically liver may be dark enough to almost look chocolate. You may get exactly what you asked for in a few months or years. However, the breed standard acknowledges that all colors are considered equal within the breed. shampoo specifically formulated for Shih Tzus. Which of these Shih Tzu Colors is your favorite? "Liver" is often referred to by many as a brown tone, which can be a very light brown coat to a deep chocolate brown coat. Blue dogs are those with a silvery-gray color to them. Because of their vibrant batch of colors, many people begin to wonder if any of them are rarer than others, especially white Shih Tzu. process is long, so dont expect an overnight miracle. Then there is a color known as lavender. Dont let the formal dress fool you, though, as these dogs rarely understand how to behave at black-tie events. arranged in a linear form on a chromosome. It is often Well tell you all about them in this article. The shih tzu is a sturdy toy breed, weighing anywhere between 9-16 pounds. The only question that remains is whether youre comfortable having a dog that will upstage you at every opportunity. Solid White: It is seldom to find a white color Shih Tzu than a black one. In other words, an allele is an alternative Not rated yetMy puppy is brindle brown with white paw markings. His once black patches are gone. 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. While many people have seen multi-colored dogs, Shih Tzus can be a single, solid color. The ends of the hair are black and the hair closest to the body is A Shih Tzu puppy will generally have a solid-colored coat when born. Discover which breeds are often mixed with the Shih Tzu. The unique color-changing that can occur within the Shih Tzu breed is surprisingly common and pretty neat. the chromosome pair has a partner in the same position on a matching They have a thick, flowing double coat that can be endlessly styled and it comes in just about any color you can imagine. You probably are thinking that this cutie is a black and white Shih Tzu. While it is true that some Shih Tzus do lighten in color as they age, several other factors can cause a change in coat color. They Almost all Shih Tzu breed dogs will change color at some point during their life, and some will do so more than once. If you're unfamiliar with brindle as a color, it's because it's actually considered a pattern that can consist of many colors. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. The short and broad muzzle can be either black or white. Socialization is the key to a well-behaved dog, The Shih Tzu diet is made up of foods rich in nutrients, but how do you know which ones are best? These solid dogs can be all black, all white, all silver, all gold, all blue, all liver, all red, or completely brindle. White Shih Tzus are the result of an extreme dilution of the red or yellow pigment, pheomelanin, which is caused by the piebald gene. It could also be a mainly gold Shih Tzu with white markings over the chest, and a black face mask would be considered the epitome of tri colored Shih Tzus. In most cases, this would be the end of the color change. The Shih Tzu originated somewhere in Asia, most likely Tibet, although its not known exactly where or when they first showed up. A black and white Shih Tzu with red markings, however, may only have a red mask or a small spot of red on its chest. There is no relationship Three Color Combinations Although there is no scientific evidence that blue Shih Tzus are any less healthy than a dog of any other color, some breeders maintain that these dogs are high risk for defects.. This is seen in the pups that have a liver or blue coat. Were you surprised? Many factors contribute to the various color combinations seen in this breed, including genetics, environment, and coat type. Tuxedo markings are when a dog has a white patch on the chest and also sometimes the chin or feet. Black markings can come in some interesting patterns when it comes to Shih Tzu dogs. We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. Also, certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause a dog's coat to change color. Brindle is often described as tiger-striped and brindle Shih Tzus have streaks of color running through its base color, creating multi-colored tones ranging from gold or tan to brown or black. Nicky lives on a small-holding on South Africas Wild Coast with a selection of animals, a husband, and five dogs. Almost all parti dogs have white as one of the colors, but you may see a rare dog with two colors, neither one white. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Gold - looks like a yellowish tan. Complete index of all the wonderful cat breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your furry friend is a crucial decision, We love our cats, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Understanding cat behavior can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, Complete index of all the wonderful dog breeds and mixes, Deciding what you can and cannot feed your four legged friend is a crucial decision, We love our dogs, and therefore we want to get them the best gear, Training your dog can set you both up for a happy, productive relationship, The most complete list of dog food recalls, The most complete list of cat food recalls. up of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). It does not happen in all dogs. Solid silver Shih Tzus are relatively rare even though color combinations like silver and white and black, gold, and silver are comparatively common. talk to a vet online for advice >. 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