Posted by 6 years ago. Shih Tzus born with white and black fur are the sole exception in this situation. Yes, most Shih-tzu do lighten as they get older. There are also times when the climate or seasons may have an affect on their coloring. Fading will continue until the dog reaches his first birthday. My male Shih-tzu lightened a lot . This is what makes them so different from other breeds. We have noticed that this applies as well to the pads of the feet. Color Changing Question. If the Shih Tzu has a black nose, (black eye rims, lips, paw pads which are called points) then you only go by the color of the coat to determine what color the dogs is. Shih Tzu colors are one of the best things about them. We may even owe the highly prized white tips to the tail and on top the top to the terribly early French breeder who had the all-white Shih Tzu that left us few descendants. There are 8 solid colors: Black- A black Shih Tzu will not have any other color fur. Have you ever wondered why the tails of certain breeds-including the Boxer-are shortened? Although Shih Tzus are available in white, blue, red, silver, gold, liver, and brindle, the Black Shih Tzu seems to be amongst the rarest. German Shepherds are among the most social breeds in the canine world. Shih Tzu coat color often changes at about 12 months of age. It is very common, and just about expected, for Shih Tzu dogs to change colors as they mature. Shih Tzus beautiful and silky coat comes in a wide variety of colors such as gray and white, black and white, black, red and white, etc. Fading: If a Shih Tzu carries the "G" gene, his coat will fade as he gets older. A Shih Tzu is considered pure black if it has no other coat color present, so no white tall tips or pews as an example. SHIH TZU COAT COLORS – SOLID COLORS Black – is a popular color for a Shih Tzu dog and pure black is often seen as being unusual Shih Tzu coat color. Solid Chocolate and Chocolate and White Coats . However, such beautiful fur comes at a cost of constant maintenance. A solid black is more exotic than a classic Black and White. Here are a few we have used. If there is, then the dog will fall into another category so keep reading. Staining is a frequent occurrence in light colored dogs and has nothing to do with coat color changes. I attached links to my pictures of my puppy. My female didn't lighten as much as he did, she just turned from black and white to a dark steel gray and white. As you can see from the examples below, a marble coat is striped like a tabby cat or in some cases the coat is patchy like a calico cat. Black and white Shih Tzus dog will not change shade or color. Black Shih Tzu puppies may lighten as they grow up and the coat can develop into silver. Moreover, instead of fur, they have hair, this again flaunts their color really attractively. He went everywhere with me and never realized he was little. Red Staining on White or Light Colored Hair can appear to resemble Shih Tzu hair color changes. Note, too, that this color change doesn't take place in any and all Shih Tzus. Black and white happens to be the most common color that the Shih Tzus can be seen in though other colors such as white, black, gold, brown, red or blue can also be associated with the breed. Not all color schemes of young Shih Tzus change, however. Many Shih Tzu's are born one color and change over to silver as they age. In this situation, what you need to do is feel the fur below your Shih Tzu’s eyes. When your Shih Tzu is a puppy they tend to change colors. So when it comes time for you to leave the house, it can make your Shepherd a little anxious. There are completely black puppies just very rare. A good rule of thumb when choosing a Shih Tzu puppy is never to base your decision on color. Here's the long and short of it. Add the markings to that, and there are many possibilities for how a Shih Tzu’s coat might look. You will notice fading in puppies as young as a month old. Although most dogs usually have the same color fur for their entire lives, the same cannot necessarily be said about Shih Tzus, the uber-fluffy toy dogs from China. Black n White Shih Tzu face is a picture of my beloved little boy Scooter #14..a two time cancer survivor that died at just over 16yrs of age. Graying: If a dog carries the Chinchilla gene (CH series) he is likely to change colors as well, but not in the same way as fading. The Shih Tzu is the perfect pet for many people! No Change in Black and White Not all color schemes of young Shih Tzus change, however. You will notice fading in puppies as young as a month old. Platinum must have a blue grey nose as pictured and light eyes Solid Platinum and Platinum and White Coats. That is not true. Color in the Shih Tzu is thus fascinating and to me are the most lovely shades of many basic colors of the black, gold and gray. It does not exist. A Shih Tzu with a "G" gene will fade in color and look noticeably lighter by his first birthday, while a dog of the same breed with a Chinchilla gene will eventually become a rich silver, like the gene's namesake rodent. Some are born with a pink nose that will begin to turn black within the first 3 days. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. What accounts for these shifts in shade? Solid having no other color mixed into it. One of the best things about them is Shih Tzu coat colors. They typically occur when Shih Tzus are about to become adults -- around 12 months in age. You can never be 100 percent sure about a young Shih Tzu's eventual "permanent" coloring, but you can usually be sure about one thing -- his future coat texture. It's crucial to comb or brush Shih Tzu coats every day, beginning during the puppy stage. Black is the most dominant color and a true black Shih Tzu will have no other hair color. AKC standards specify that black is the color of the eyes, nose and lips of the Shih Tzu, except blue is the color for blue pigmented dogs, and liver (or brown) is the color for liver pigmented dogs. The color of the undercoat becomes most apparent when the dog is clipped. Yes, this is usually the case. Black and white Shih Tzus will not change color. A Shorkie'scoat can be various colors. A White coat is similar to black in that it only has one color with no traces of any other colors. All Shih Tzu dogs that have black hair will also have black noses. If a Shih Tzu enters the world with this specific coloration, he's going to stay that way for good. Solids or with white but must have a platinum pigment. Close. Tear stains are not so obvious in black and white Shih Tzu’s especially those with a black mask marking on the face. 6. Certain colors, like blue, are a lot less common than others. Yes the do I have 5 Shih Tzus and 2 Yorkies and many times a Shih Tzu as well as other breeds are born and they appear to be black and white as they mature they change clolor. It’s important to note that Shih Tzus continue to change their colors even when they’re out of the womb. Shih Tzu Color Change. User account menu. Their coats may lighten, darken, or fade as they mature. Take a look at my Shih Tzu, Luna, as she progresses in age. Shih Tzu Markings and Patterns Patterns: There are many ways to describe color and markings. Shih tzu color change View of my Shih Tzu's color change. Shih Tzu coat color most of the time changes at approximately 12 months of age. The colorof the hybrid can change colorsas they grow older. Fading will continue until the dog reaches his first birthday. With Shih Tzus, it's helpful to remember refrain from using fur coloring as a determining factor regarding which puppy you want to bring home. It's common for their coats to become paler, and at the same time, it's also common for them to darken. If your Shih Tzu puppy is a certain color on one given day, there's no assurance it'll stay the same the next. The G series is the same gene series responsible for age related graying.~ DOBIES ~ Colors range from Black w/Tan … Chocolate nose and coat . Shorkiesare little doggies, which should be expected given the hybrid's parental breeds. But as many shepherd owners learn, it can take a while for pups to acquire that signature pointy-eared look. Shih Tzus born with white and black fur are the sole exception in this situation. That's because the breed is well known for changing coat colors as he enters adulthood. Black and others colors that do not mix together at the skin. As with other coat colors, it's possible for black and white Shih Tzus to change color as they mature. 6. 2. You could bring a bouncing Shih Tzu puppy home, expect his fur color to change -- only for it never to do so. For example, a puppy that has gold hair at birth may turn orange and one that is blue at birth can turn gray by his first birthday—and those born black may lighten over time. Archived. in solid or white and chocolate color . Even if there is a small trace of another color, the dog will then be considered to have a combination of two colors. Saturday, August 18, 2012. The only coat color that remains true is the black-and-white combination. Because liver colored dogs lack all black pigmentation, you will not see a true black dog with a liver colored nose. Making the Shih Tzu truly a unique dog breed. Only a black and white Shih Tzu will keep the coat color he was born with. Do schnauzer puppies change color? Most Newborn Black Nosed Shih Tzu puppies are born with a BLACK nose at birth. Do Shih Tzus change colors? Gold, red, chocolate, black, white, or black with a tan saddle are all colorcombos that are possible with this breed. It should be noted that black and white Shih Tzus are always considered to be black dogs with white markings, even if they look more white than black. Fading: If a Shih Tzu carries the "G" gene, his coat will fade as he gets older. All Shih Tzus look beautiful when groomed, but most Shih Tzu fans would agree that the glossy shine of a solid black Shih Tzu is especially striking. The Shih Tzu comes in a range of colours that include various shades of gold, white, brown, and black. What makes a champagne marble and not just a champagne with a black mask and black tipping for instance is that at the skin the colors will defiantly be separate and not mixed together. With proper grooming and regular maintenance, Shih Tzus often possess lengthy, sumptuous and thick fur, either straight or a little wavy. Log in sign up. Hey all, I have a 3 year old shihtzu that was born black and white and has remained black and white. From darker to lighter. A solid black Shih Tzu is extremely rare, and there is usually a white marking somewhere, such as on top of the head or on the chest. Only a black and white Shih Tzu will keep the coat color he was born with. Know this. The good news for those who plan to show their Shih Tzu is that any and all colors are equally valued and recognized by the AKC. In fact, by the time your Shih Tzu celebrates his first birthday, he may be a completely different color than he was when you brought him home. Flare: is when the blaze is wider and is towards the top of the head. Press J to jump to the feed. Platinum (Blue) Pigment . You will never see a Shih Tzu that is all black with a brown nose. Instead, the dog's coat will turn a rich, silver color. However, potential owners should be aware that coat colors can change. Blaze: is referred to as a strip of white or different colored hair between the eyes on the top of the head. It is normal for a Shih Tzu to be born one color and registered as that color and then change to another color. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The coat might become either darker or pale. This isn’t so much of a good thing though because it also means that you can’t easily notice their tear stains and clean them properly. Because liver colored dogs lack all black pigmentation, you will not see a true black dog with a liver colored nose. We have also noticed that blue pigmented dogs may have a blue tint to the skin. If a Shih Tzu enters the world with this specific coloration, he's going to stay that way for good. For most, black will exist within a bi such as the lovely black and white, or tri color coat. Two distinct genes determine whether a Shih Tzu's coat will lighten or gray over time—and what his ultimate color will be. American Shih Tzu Club; Color - Sex - Age - & Size, Chi Sun Shih Tzu's: A Shih Tzu of a Different Color. Even a touch of a different shade will move this dog over to a mixed color. That said, it is the black and white color that retains its lustre throughout the life span of the Shih Tzu while other colors tend to fade a bit as the dog puts on age. Black, gold, and white; White, black, and silver; Silver, gold, and white; White; The possible markings include the following: Black markings; Tan markings; White markings; Black masking ; As you can see, there is a large variety of Shih Tzu colors. Before You Buy Your Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu coat changes usually don't occur at random. Remember, the puppy you select could start out black only to appear a lot more grayish in just a few short months. All rights reserved. Some Shih Tzus are entirely one color, while others are multi-colored. Party color shih tzu Examples- is 2 (colors) usally white and another color These are some examples, there are 3 color noses in the Shih tzu Black,Blue(lavender) & Liver and non Dilute Isabella A Blue dog has a blue nose (look at the color nose in the pictures below it is … Anyone who remembers Rin Tin Tin, the canine hero of 1950’s television, recalls that famous German Shepherd’s regal silhouette — head erect, muscular body ready for action and, most notably, ears standing straight up. Consider yourself very lucky if you could find one with a white tip on the tail and a white blaze on the forehead. Two distinct genes determine whether a Shih Tzu's coat will lighten or gray over time—and what his ultimate color will be. There are 8 solid colors: 1) Black - Solid black Shih Tzu are rare, however full black coloring does exist. With the rest, it depends on genes. I've seen rumors circulating on the internet that Shih Tzu dogs that are black do not occur and that the puppy must be a hybrid. Their white markings can spread to a wider area (only the white markings spread, not the black), and these changes only stop when they reach adulthood. Staining can occur anywhere, but it usually develops on the face (whiskers and beard) under the eyes, paws or around the groin area. Other colours include black mask gold, black and white, solid black, solid liver, liver and white, brindle, white, red and white, and grey and white. As far as the color spectrum goes, Shih Tzus pretty much run the gamut. While it has not been proven, some breeders think that environmental factors such as climate, stress, and diet can trigger changes in coat color, too. And for those who just have a Shih Tzu as a family pet, what matters most is that you have a healthy, loving companion—no matter what his color. 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