Black and White
Black and White Shih Tzu
Overview
Out of all of the possible colors found with this breed, perhaps none is so dramatic as black and white (standard color, code S 019). The way in which color genes affect the coat makes it almost hard to believe that two opposite colors can present in this way.
In this section, we'll cover some facts about black and white Shih Tzu and then dive into some beautiful examples of both puppies and adults with this remarkable coloring.
Astro, at 7 years old (a rescue dog), photo courtesy of Joan Friedman
Facts About Black & White Shih Tzu Dogs
1)
Black and white Shih Tzu are not white dogs with black markings; they are black dogs with white markings, even if the black appears to be a secondary color. This holds true whether there is 5% black or 95% black.
2) When white appears on a black dog, this is determined by the S locus (spotting gene), in all cases except for extreme whites (mostly white and a tiny bit of another color; in this case, black).
3) Though the S (spotting) locus is at play, this does not mean that a Shih Tzu will literally have white spots; the gene produces varying amounts of white.
Though the piebald gene is only in play in black and white Shih Tzu with extreme piebald, piebald is unofficially used to describe varying amounts of white on a black dog:
- Parti-piebald - The Shih Tzu is about 50% black and 50% white.
- Irish mark piebald - More black then white. White is often running over the forehead (blaze), the breastbone (brisket), chest, shoulders (shawl), tip of the paws and tip of the tail.
- Extreme piebald - This is the one in which the S locus is not in play, but rather the piebald gene. The Shih Tzu will be majorly white with just a bit of black.
4)
The spotting of white on black occurs while in the womb; it starts at certain places on a dog, this includes the paws, center of the chest, tail, muzzle and paws. Then, it spreads. How far it spreads is genetically predetermined.
The very last places that the white
spreads to is often the back (saddle) and the top of the head. For this reason, it would be extremely rare to see a white and black Shih Tzu with black just on the paws or just on the chest.
5) In regard to the spreading of that white (see above bullet point), the white will continue to spread over the black while the puppy matures. For this reason, when you have a black and white Shih Tzu puppy, most likely the patterns that you see will be different once they grow up.
Patches of color will not disappear in one spot on the body and appear in others; rather, the white (remember it is the white that changes, not the black) will spread.
So, if you have a Shih Tzu with a bit of white on their chest at 8 weeks old, they can mature into an adult with a fully white chest. If a 12 month old has white paws, they may have fully white legs once they are done maturing, etc.
Examples of Black and White Shih Tzu Dogs
Thanks to our wonderful Members (if you are not yet a Member, sign up for free), we've gathered up a great sampling of black and white Shih Tzu of all ages.
Panda
Photo courtesy of Nat Williams-Butler
CoCo, at 5 months, Photo courtesy of Anita W
Mac, at 9 weeks old,
Photo courtesy of The Clinger Family
Rocky, at 1 year old, Photo courtesy of Don VanGelderen
Charlie, at 9 weeks old,
photo courtesy of David Johnson
Andy, at 1 and 1 /2 years old
Photo courtesy of Gayle Vieira
Jensen, at 4 years old, photo courtesy of Claire Clark
Grooming Tips for Black and White Shih Tzu
When you have a light colored Shih Tzu, dark debris is going to show up and when you have a dark colored Tzu light colored debris is easily seen... So, when you have a black and white Shih Tzu, your dog will be keeping you on your toes!
Though you won't be able to use a specific color enhancing shampoo to make the black darker and the white crisper (you won't want white enhancer touching the black or black enhancer touching the white) as long as you use one of the better shampoos and conditioners
the coat should stay silky and shiny.
One tricky aspect with this oreo coloring is any possible tear stains. Many white and black Shih Tzu have black masks (black wrapping around the eyes) which can be great at hiding tear stains
but you also don't really want them hidden so that you can be able to clean and properly treat them. A good method of checking is to not only take a visual look but to carefully touch the hairs under the eyes; if the hairs feel a bit 'crispy' or crinkly, this is your sign that tears are indeed running down and affecting the coat.
Other Articles You May Like:
The Best Supplements for Shih Tzu
- Certain dietary supplements can help with a range of things from boosting skin health to helping prevent osteoarthritis (seen with 85% of dogs age 8+). See what could be beneifical to your Shih Tzu.
If a Shih Tzu is a Picky Eater
- Some Shih Tzu can be extremely finicky with their food and it can make meal time stressful; see our top tips on how to address this while still keeping your little guy or gal happy.
How to Help a Shih Tzu Live a Long Life
- Shih Tzu typically live into their early to mid teens; but of course, that doesn't seem very long compared to us humans. See what you can do to extend this and improve your Shih Tzu's quality of life.
Shih Tzu Puppy Teething
- This can be a very challenging phase for both pup and pet parents. Read about what happens during this time and how to help stop your puppy from chewing non-toy objects and ripping things up.
The Best Type of Treats and Snacks for a Shih Tzu
- Understanding the important differences between training treats, snacks, and chews, what to avoid, and top recommendations.
Color-related articles:
Liver Colored Shih Tzu
- Liver is such a lovely and rare color for this breed. Read facts and see adorable photos explaining about this amazingly beautiful color and skin pigmentation.
Brindle Shih Tzu
- This is an interesting pattern of coloring that appears as striping and it's not a color you see everyday with this breed. Read facts about brindles and see some cute photos.
Solid Brown and Solid Black Shih Tzu
- These are two colors found with the Shih Tzu breed that can cause some confusion. Read more about brown and black coats and see some adorable photos.
