For instance, some dogs have chocolate coats or chocolate markings. Although the history of this ancient breed can be traced back some 2000 years, the Shih Tzu only started to gain widespread popularity after it was formally recognized by the AKC in 1969. When we got him at , Bernie is six years old Not rated yetWhen Bernie was a newborn up until he was about two he had beige and white markings. These are often referred to as Dobie dogs because they resemble the coloration seen on the Doberman Pinscher. In other words, the dog will be primarily black, with a tan muzzle, tan points above the eyes, and tan-colored paws. With such a wide variety and so many variations, there are a lot of options to fall in love with. They certainly caught on like wildfire after the 1950s, as theyre now one of the most commonly-owned dogs in America. These genes are fading and graying. As we mentioned earlier in our discussion of the double and tricolor coat combinations, Shih Tzus can have a few different markings in addition to their base coat colors and patterns. If youre not too fussy about the color of your Shih Tzu puppy, why not adopt from a rescue center or animal shelter? However, they do exist. humans may eat. These alleles will influence The Shih Tzu has coat colors of brown, white, gold, black, brindle, grey, or a combination of these. Almost all parti dogs have white as one of the colors, but you may see a rare dog with two colors, neither one white. This makes the dog look like theyre wearing a cute little shawl. One of the great things about Shih Tzus is that youll hardly ever find two that look the same. We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. Learn this and more in our ultimate guide to dog nutrition. The graying gene also called the chinchilla gene, turns the coat a silvery gray color. 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. This is a wonderful example of how color is predetermined and genetic. Photo: Russamee When a dog's tummy has turned black, and it used to be cute pink or white, some pet lovers get concerned. Shih Tzu hair color changes over time. Staining can occur anywhere, but it usually develops on the face The nose and other points are black in color. their genetic inheritance. A completely solid dog without any markings is pretty rare, but they do exist. In Shih Tzus, however, the dominant black gene in the K locus interacts with the melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MC1R, and the Agouti gene to produce a variety of colors, ranging from pure black to red or gold. Thats a lot of different colors! In most cases, this would be the end of the color change. Just type!Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. Youll be forgiven if you mistake them for a small pumpkin. However, there are a few caveats regarding Shih Tzu colors that we'll talk about when it comes to specific coats, such as blue, liver, Isabella, or lavender and brindle. Well tell you all about them in this article. The Blue color comes from what is known as a " dilution gene ". Colors can be a big factor in your final decision and knowing what they all mean is the first step to finding the perfect pup for you. Many times, a Shih Tzu will lose their color and become overall lighter. These three subcategories of the S Locus gene range from a dog having minimal white on its coat to a mostly or full white coat. However, for AKC pedigree purposes, a Shih Tzu with a reddish, white, cream or even orange coat Shih Tzu might also be registered as liver. More than likely, every color you've listed is a shade these puppies come in. be inherited from a puppys parents that will cause (especially a pure-black Shih Tzu). Dont let the formal dress fool you, though, as these dogs rarely understand how to behave at black-tie events. The cool thing about these color changes is that they can be subtle or even drastic changes to their hair, like them becoming a whole new color. As time The nose will still be black on a white Shih Tzu, though, and it will stick out like a little lump of charcoal on a snowman. While Shih Tzus can come in a wide array of colors, those markings will be arranged in one of the following five patterns. in pairs, and the number of pairs varies from species to species.We have 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs and dogs have 78 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. Some are just rarer than others. While they arent official colors, you might see a Shih Tzu dogs coat that doesnt fit any of the descriptions above. Once the skin darkens, it is unlikely to go away, but it will not cause your dog any pain or discomfort. Has the hair The lighter hues are gone. up of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). There are several colors associated with Shih Tzus, including black, brown, white, tan, red, blue, yellow, silver, and gray. Albinism, a rare genetic mutation that results in the lack of pigmentation, is another reason why having a white Shih Tzu is exceptional. Age also has a significant impact on a silver dogs coat coloration, with older silver Shih Tzus becoming increasingly grey as they mature. This can be hard to see in a grown-out coat, as . Multiply a male shih tzu puppy's weight at eight weeks old by 4.2 - 4.8 to estimate his healthy adult weight. Learn this and more in our ultimate guide to dog nutrition. Without going into a lot of detail about genetics, Often times if the parent has a coat that has changed color, their offspring will too. Some of these changes do not have to do with genetics but with the color your number one priority. difficult to determine what color a puppy will end up being by looking Youll often find white patches on the chest and possibly elsewhere. Or are you partial to a pretty brindle pooch? She spends all her waking hours with her Australian Cattle Dog, Koala, either walking, horse-riding, running, or just hanging out. A post shared by riley (@riley_living.the.life). We strongly encourage owners to seek the advice of a veterinarian regarding any medical issues or concerns. We've watched Shih Tzu hair color changes over the years and it never seems to amaze me how these dogs achieve just beautiful color without the use of exotic hair color dyes or expensive stylists! While many people have seen multi-colored dogs, Shih Tzus can be a single, solid color. 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. Behavior is the result of other genes and the dogs experiences. Dobie markings are tan marks on a dark coat. For instance, a puppy with gold hair at birth might turn orange, and one with blue hair at birth might turn gray by his first birthday. 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. These changes are often caused by genetics that they inherit from their parents or from them simply aging. Most Shih Tzu dogs coats have multiple colors and markings, although less often, they may come in rare solid colors. The Shih Tzu's coat can change colors from the time they're born until they are a senior. The fading gene- also known as the G gene, is what fades the Shih Tzu's coat over time. 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. Black Shih Tzus with golden hairs visible on its face, paws, or tail is considered to be a black and tan dog rather than a black dog with tan markings. Banding is along the hair shaft- all change color at once. Readprivacy&disclosurepolicy for info. 18 Holiday Gifts for Shih Tzu Lovers and Pet Parents, 30+ Perfect Halloween Costumes for Small Dogs, Shih Tzu Information Guide: About The Shih Tzu Dog Breed, Fun Shih Tzu Facts and Information in a Nutshell, Creating a Nutritious Homemade Dog Food Diet for Your Shih Tzu, How To Socialize Your Dog with Other Dogs & People With Little Stress, Ultimate Guide to Shih Tzu Diet and Nutrition, When Do Shih Tzu Puppies Lose Their Teeth? Most black Shih-Tzus will have some white fur on them as well. Also, certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause a dog's coat to change color. Many Shih Tzu owners wonder if they should pick a certain color of dog in order to ensure a certain type of personality. Enter Your Title (Example: Cooper my tricolor Shih Tzu Boy). Blue is usually darker than silver or gray, and blue dogs will be born almost black. A trip to the veterinarian is usually 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. Nicole is the proud mom of Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway, and Baby, a Burmese cat. 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. Entirely solid white Shih Tzu's are very hard to come by due to the many color combinations with white that are present on their coats and because white is a recessive gene in many dog breeds. This may be a normal process or may be due to a serious disease. Liver Shih Tzus are sometimes called chocolate, and while theyre largely brown, theyre usually not exclusively so. puppy that is homozygous dominant for GG will begin passes, the coat appears to lighten. Brindle patterns in Shih Tzu's are common, and chances are you've seen them without realizing it's a category all on its own. Flare: This pattern is similar to the blaze pattern but differs in that the streak goes farther down on the head and down the back. 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., Both the Fdration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) are similarly relaxed about Shih Tzus coat colors. If staining occurs on the beard or mustache, the cause could It makes the dog look like its wearing you guessed it a tuxedo. Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page Bao Bao Tan and White, developing red stains near his mouth & noseHe started out reddish brown and white. 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. 2. necessary to discover the root cause. These tan marks are above the eyes, on the jowls, the lower leg, and under the tail. All rights reserved. The Shih Tzu Color Genetics My personal joke is: All Shih Tzu are Gold and White. Do you swoon for the shade of a liver color dog? While you might have a preference for a specific coat color, don't let your desire for a particular coat stop you from considering Shih Tzu puppies as potential fur babies. Individual genes can With so many possible colors in the Shih Tzu bloodline, coats that hold 3 colors (tri-colored) are common. a particular trait. 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