The loving and charming Shih Tzu is an old breed of dog from Tibet, which is now especially popular as a companion dog. But one variation of the Shih Tzu that is a bit more popular, but equally, if not even cuter is the black and white Shih Tzu! So let’s learn what makes him so special.
Black and white Shih Tzus
Eight legitimate Shih Tzu coat colors have been recognized by the American Kennel Club. Black, white, blue, liver, gold, silver, red, and brindle are some of the colors available. There can be a vast range of color combinations and markings within these colors, giving each Shih Tzu coat a lovely individuality. In this post, we’ll look at one of the most well-known color schemes: black and white.
While there are only a few approved color combinations – black and white being one of the most popular — there are numerous patterns to choose from, and each particolored Shih Tzu is unique. The black and white coat color scheme is extremely striking, and it features a variety of markings.
Even though they appear more white than black, black and white Shih Tzus are usually called black dogs with white markings. Black and white Shih Tzus can change color as they grow older, much like other coat colors. However, only the white fur can spread in this scenario, and the size of the spread is genetically defined.
There are some particularly intriguing aspects when it comes to markings in Shih Tzus with different coat colors. Although rare, symmetry is highly prized. The blaze (a strip of white hair going up the cheek and between the eyes), the flare (an extended blaze covering a greater part of the face and head), and the shawl or collar are some of the more prevalent traits that look very nice on black and white Shih Tzus (a marking, usually white, around the neck area).
There’s also the tuxedo pattern, which is quite striking. The term is self-explanatory, but it’s when a patch of white markings covers an otherwise solid-colored Shih Tzu’s chest (and sometimes neck, chin, and feet), creating a really smart-looking dog!
History of Shih Tzus
The history of Shih Tzus goes back a long way, as the dogs were already in the 7th century in the monasteries of Tibet. According to legend, Buddha owned a dog that could turn into a lion. For this reason, the monks bred small dogs that were supposed to resemble a lion and called them “Shih Tzu”, which means lion. In addition, thanks to their good hearing, they were also suitable as guard dogs for the temples.
In the course of the 17th century, these dogs reached the Empire of China, where they developed into palace dogs. With the Communist takeover of power in the 20th century, enthusiasm for the elegant dogs came to an abrupt end. Thus, the final end came for breeding in China. Fortunately, there were European and American breeders who took over the breeding. The Shih Tzu was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 in the Toy Group.
Personality of the Black and White Shih Tzu
The black and white Shih Tzu acts just like any other Shih Tzu dog. He is a smart and open-minded dog who is friendly to his people. He is often in a good mood and knows how to make masters and mistresses happy. The somewhat arrogant dog has a proud appearance and loves to be at the center of the action. Very charming, he demands his petting and quickly becomes everyone’s favorite. Thanks to the open and affectionate nature, he is a great family dog who gets along well with children. He is reserved towards strangers at first, but thaws quickly and likes to be cuddling.
The closeness to his human being is very important to the cheerful and faithful dog and he may prefer to be everywhere. The clever dogs come up with one or the other tricks that even surprise masters and mistresses. His hunting instinct is weak, which is why walks without a leash with him are no problem. Opposites, the Shihs are open-minded and eager to play until old age.
Appearance of the black and white Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an elegant, small dog with a long silky fur. Especially on the head, the fur is dense and fluffy, so that the ears are sometimes invisible at all. Just like the name says, his coat is black and white. The black and white Shih Tzu in the most common cases has a white coat with large black spots. They often have a black mask around their face or large black patches on the head or back. Owners choose to often tie their hair up in a braid or a cute top knot so that their long hair doesn’t go into their eyes.
Parenting the puppy
The independent and intelligent dogs are considered extremely stubborn in education. A lot of patience and positive reinforcements are required to convince the dog of a command. With his charming nature, the little rascal tries to convince even masters or mistress of his own will from time to time. But don’t let this confuse you and drive away purposefully. Consistent training with many repetitions is the key to success. But it works best if you give the dog the feeling that it was his idea to follow the command.
Activities with the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an adaptable dog that will also be happy in a small apartment. Especially if he doesn’t like the weather, he prefers to stay in the house and cuddle and play. Of course, he still needs daily walks to be sufficiently busy. Entertaining games between the walks are just as much fun for the little dogs. You don’t have to be particularly creative for this, as the frugal dog can deal with many toys for a long time.
Care of the Black and White Shih Tzu
The black and white Shih Tzu long hair dogs aren’t easy to groom. If you want to keep a dog with long top hair, you have a lot to do. The hair on the head must not fall into the eyes, otherwise it will become inflamed and the dog will have difficulty seeing. In addition, regular brushing and combing are on the agenda so that the dog does not matt. Just like with all white dogs, they are also prone to tear stains. After each walk, you should clean the long fur of dirt and vermin. A fashionable short hairstyle is a little easier to care for, which you can either shear yourself or have done by the dog hairdresser. At warm temperatures, the long-haired dogs tend to heat stroke. Otherwise, there are no breed-typical diseases.
Health problems
Shih Tzus are generally healthy dogs, however they, like all dog breeds, are prone to the following health problems:
- Allergies in dogs are very common. Food allergies are treated by removing specific items from the dog’s diet; contact allergies are caused by a reaction to a topical object such as bedding, flea treatments, dog shampoos, or other chemicals; and inhalant allergies are caused by pollen, dust, or mildew in the air.
- Hip dysplasia in dogs, which is characterized by an abnormally formed hip socket that causes pain and lameness. Patellar luxation in which the knee joint (usually on the back leg) wiggles in and out, causing pain. It’s possible that this will cause you to become disabled.
- Eye problems are common in Shih Tzus due to their large eyes. One of the illnesses is keratitis, which is a corneal inflammation that can lead to a corneal ulcer and blindness. Proptosis is a condition in which the eyeball is displaced from the eye socket and the eyelids are clamped behind it. Progressive retinal atrophy is a degenerative disorder of the visual cells in the retina that causes blindness. The cornea and conjunctiva are both dry in dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). Please call your veterinarian right immediately if you see any redness, inflammation, or extensive tearing.
- Ear infections are common in Shih Tzus due to their drop ears, which create a dark, warm ear canal that is ideal for infection. Check and clean your ears at least once a week to avoid issues.
- Because the Shih Tzu’s baby teeth may remain intact when the permanent teeth erupt, tooth and gum disease are common in Shih Tzus. It’s possible that your vet will have to extract some of the remaining baby teeth.
Black And White Shih Tzu Puppy
Assume you’ve brought your adorable black and white Shih Tzu puppy home and he or she is settling in beautifully.
Maybe you’ve already considered it, but have you puppy-proofed your home? If you don’t want your new arrival to start snooping around, lock any cupboards or closets that are easily accessible. Any location where hazardous chemicals, such as bleach or disinfectant, are stored, or where food is kept, must be secure.
Certain dried fruits, chocolate, garlic, and onion are harmful to dogs. Make sure they’re out of reach. Prunes, blue cheese, jalapenos, bagels, and whipped cream, among other human delicacies can be dangerous in other ways.
Remove all loose items, such as shoes and slippers, and tuck electrical cables away from the danger zone.
Hopefully, you’ve purchased a crate. This isn’t as bare-bones as it may appear! Dog crates of good quality are comfy and provide the ideal’safe zone’ for dogs to withdraw to when they need to rest. They’re also useful for crate training while housebreaking your puppy, which you should begin right away.
However, don’t put your puppy in the crate for more than a couple of hours, and don’t use it to discipline them! They’ll quickly create a negative attachment to the crate and refuse to utilize it.
Don’t forget to stock up on chew toys to keep your dog from chewing on you or your furnishings. This will be especially beneficial when they begin to erupt their teeth. Rawhide and bones should be avoided since they contain bits and splinters that can be eaten and cause internal ruptures or intestinal blockages.
Establish a healthy daily regimen that includes an hour of exercise, grooming, and a set feeding time. Use high-quality puppy chow to ensure that your puppy gets the nutrition he or she requires to live and grow.
Black And White Shih Tzu Price
You should expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 when buying an average Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder. The black and white Shih Tzu price isn’t low, but imagine how much love you will receive from these little cuties.
However, setting a price on any dog is difficult since there are so many variables to consider, such as age, sex, color, and the reputation of the breeder.
Females, for example, are often more expensive than males because of their breeding potential. If the puppy is AKC registered, an additional $1,000 might be added to the purchase. While AKC registration may give the appearance that the puppies will be of great health and lineage, it does not ensure anything.
A pedigree is nothing more than a list of names, and registration is nothing more than a number. If you pay the fee, anyone can do it. The fact that the puppy is registered does not guarantee that it is of good quality!
Some breeders will sell you a puppy for as little as $500, but buying from them is a significant risk. A reputable breeder may charge twice, three times, or four times the amount, but the fee will include immunizations, deworming treatment, a health guarantee, and a health certificate. Your puppy’s breeder may have already begun teaching them, making things much easier when you receive them home.
The key to ensuring that you pay a fair price is to conduct extensive research before to purchasing. Because black and white Shih Tzus are both rare and popular, you may have to wait a long time if you really want one. They can’t be made on demand!
Interesting facts
The Shih Tzu was a popular palace dog in the Chinese Empire. Cixi, the wife of the Chinese emperor, even enacted a law that anyone who tortured a palace dog should be executed. According to tradition, the later empress had her own palace for the dogs, where they were trained to sit down and wave their paws when the empress visited her. The current Dalai Lama, like many of his predecessors, also has a representative of the race. Even outside Asia, the dogs are now popular companions, so personalities such as Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Gates have also bought one of the Tibetan dogs.
What Is The Rarest Color Of Shih Tzu?
Solid black Shih Tzus are the most rare. A two-color dog has even a smidgeon of another color (typically white) on its fur.
Their noses, paw pads, and lips are also colored. True black Shih Tzus do not have a brown or liver-colored nose.
Even if you think you have a pure, complete black dog, it’s possible that their coat could fade to silver as they grow older!
Are Black Shih Tzus Rare?
We’ve already answered this question! However, just in case you were skimming through the post looking for an answer to a specific query and missed the response above, it’s worth reiterating.
Shih Tzus with mostly black coats are the rarest. But there must be no other patches of color or markings to qualify as a pure black dog. Their noses, lips, and paw pads must all be black, as we’ve already mentioned.
Are White Shih Tzus Rare?
White Shih Tzus are almost as rare as pure black Shih Tzus! In fact, solid colors dogs are all rare, as most dogs have white or black patterns on them.
In Shih Tzus, white is related with a recessive gene, which means that other colors will likely take precedence. As a result, most ‘whites’ will be white and brindle or white and liver, rather than pure white.
The fact that most breeders do not try to produce white Shih Tzus is one of the reasons for its rarity. Instead, they’re attempting to create a white base with one or two other colors layered on top. So when a pure white appears, it’s usually by chance.
Does Black And White Shih Tzu Change Color?
They most definitely do! Almost all Shih Tzu breed dogs will change color at some point during their life, and some will do so more than once. Because the coat color is genetically determined, there is little you can do about it. Dark coats may darken, whereas light coats may lighten.
By the time she turns one, your puppy will most likely be completely different colors than the little fluff-ball you fell in love with. As a result, you should not choose your puppy based on its color at birth or even a few weeks later. The AKC allows breeders to change the original color of their puppies up to three times when registering them.
Again, approaching a respectable breeder who knows what they’re doing is your best bet. They should be able to obtain an idea of the pup’s adult coat by looking at the hair roots around the tail.
Some websites claim that black and white Shih Tzu breed do not go through color changes, but this is not true. When the white fur expands, displacing the black, only the black will be affected.
It’s still possible, but no one knows how much of each color or what pattern will be present. To be honest, one of the things that makes them so appealing is the fact that no two dogs are alike.
For those Shih Tzu owners who are interested, here’s a closer look at some of these patterns that are available:
- Irish mark piebald – more black than white.
- Parti-piebald – the black and white equal parts.
- Extreme piebald – a mostly pure white coat with a bit of black.
- Tuxedo – exactly what it sounds like — it looks like your dog is wearing a tux!
Why is my Shih Tzu turning black?
This isn’t a question that only applies to black and white Shih Tzu, but it is a popular source of concern among Shih Tzu owners, and it’s worth researching here to alleviate any concerns you may have.
The first thing to remember is that this isn’t an illness that only affects Shih Tzus or even dogs of one gender; it can affect dogs of many breeds and sexes.
Second, it’s usually nothing to be concerned about.
Because hair is weakest around the belly and groin, you’ll probably notice regions of black skin first. Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) is a common side effect of inflammation, as the body manufactures melanin to protect itself. Health problems such as bacterial infections, yeast infections, parasite infections, and allergies are the most common causes.
All of these factors might lead to inflammation, which darkens the skin. Once the skin darkens, it is unlikely to go away, but it will not cause your dog any pain or discomfort. The most crucial thing is to identify and treat any illnesses or allergies.
Why is their skin turning black?
Hormonal shifts can create black skin in some cases, which can be more troublesome. Hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease are two likely causes, both of which have accompanying symptoms that point to a problem. Weight gain and inactive behavior are unavoidable in dogs. You’ll probably already know they need therapy because they’ll have an insatiable thirst and a large stomach.
Finally, melanoma can be detected by little patches of hard, black skin (skin cancer). It’s not common, thankfully, but it does happen in some severe cases.
So, if your beloved pet develops patches of black skin, the best thing to do is take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Just like with any other health problem. It could be as simple as altering their diet or taking antihistamines!
Final thoughts
The black and white Shih Tzu appears to be in style right now. Given their cuteness, this is understandable. They are playful dogs, often with a teddy bear cut or even a cute topknot. The black and white color variation is especially popular at the moment, next with the solid brown Shih Tzu.
You don’t have to be an expert on canine DNA to understand how tough it might be to choose the “right” color for your dog. And this isn’t just the case with the popular dog breeds, like Shih Tzus. But with any other dog breed as well.
But it’s important to remember that all dogs, regardless of color, are precious lives. Whether they were born in a breeder’s kennel or are waiting in a rescue facility, they all deserve a safe, loving home. Their visual look and physical appearance isn’t the main factor that you should focus on.
If you’re seeking for the perfect dog, the black and white Shih Tzu is a good choice. In that case, I wish you the best of success in your hunt! It’s important to remember, though, that there is no such thing as a “perfect dog.” They all require a significant amount of time and effort, and it’s equally important that you’re the right owner for them.
Black markings or white spots won’t make your dog the perfect one. It will be his devotion and love that will do that though. Black and white Shih Tzu dogs could be just that for you, if you give them a proper chance.