Brown Shih Tzu & Black Shih Tzu
Interesting Facts About Brown Shih Tzu Dogs
Brown Shih Tzu dogs
are sometimes referred to as chocolate.
There is no color code for a brown Shih Tzu. Brown Shih Tzu dogs are actually not technically brown (see next point).
Solid brown coated Shih Tzu are in most cases, liver. Liver
is designated by skin pigmentation, not coat color. With liver, the skin points (nose, eye rims, lips, paw pads) are liver, which ranges from a light brown (sometimes with a pink tint) to a very dark chocolate brown. So, though your eyes are seeing a brown coat, the dog is not officially registered that way.
Here's how to know what a brown Shih Tzu may actually be:
- If a Shih Tzu is brown and white (parti; two colors), if the nose is any shade of brown, the dog is a liver and white.
- If the nose is black, a brown and white Shih Tzu may actually be a red and white, brindle and white, gold and white, or another combination.
If a Shih Tzu puppy is born solid brown, in some cases, his
coat will change as he matures. Many times, it will lighten.
A Shih Tzu that is light brown or even a color close to black may mature into having a darker brown coat.
Classifying Shih Tzu with brown coats must be done with photos, so let's jump into that next.
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Examples of Brown and White Shih Tzu
These two Shih Tzu have, what may appear to be at first glance, brown and white coats. However, let's take a closer look at each:
This beautiful Shih Tzu is is red and white (S 146). Notice how the 'brown' hairs are quite shiny and could be referred to as a rust color.
Molly, at 9 months
Photo courtesy of Georgina
This little cutie does have a chocolate brown color that transitions into a black against a crisp white base. Since the nose is black, this is not a liver, but a tri-coat.
Zeus, at 6 months old
Photo courtesy of Alexandra
Examples of Solid Brown Shih Tzu Dogs
These two Shih Tzu do indeed have full, solid brown coats. There is no arguing on that fact. However, since the nose is also brown, this makes both of these dogs livers.
This little one's coat is a shiny brown with a hint of red; notice how his (liver) nose matches the coat.
Misty, photo courtesy of Carolyn Hammond & Steve Vienneau
This cutie below has a beautiful chocolate brown coat and matching nose. However, this was his puppy color. When he matured, there was a dramatic change and his hairs turned much lighter. He is also a liver.
Dierks, at 8 months old, photo courtesy of Katie
Below is another great example of how the coat is a beautiful brown.
But, since is liver (also referred to as self-coloring), it classifies this Shih Tzu as a liver.
Bama's Jaxon Tide; Photo courtesy of Tami Ingram
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Interesting Facts About Black Shih Tzu
Black is a standard Shih Tzu color, AKC color code S 007.
It is exceedingly rare for a Shih Tzu to be a full solid black. In many cases there will be a secondary color of tan (S 012) or white (A 014) which gives us the incredible black and white, or even two other colors making the dog a tri (black, gold, silver A 235, etc.)
Black Shih Tzu dogs will always have black noses and other skin pigmentation (eye rims, paw pads, lips).
Black is dependent on the K locus. A black Shih Tzu will be a K allele, a non-black will be a k allele and a brindle
that involves black will be a kbr.
Black Shih Tzu puppies may fade as they mature; it is not uncommon for a black pup to transition to sliver.
Sun exposure can alter black coloring, particularly in the summer
when the sun is strong; it can cause a 'sun burning' effect in which the hairs develop red or rust color highlights.
This can be corrected with a black coat color enhancing shampoo and prevented by spritzing the coat with a quality leave in conditioner like Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Conditioner with Sunscreen.
Examples of Black Shih Tzu Dogs
Each of these gorgeous dogs below are solid black Shih Tzu with markings. And as you'll see, the markings are very small in comparison to the coat. Of course, the longer the coat, the more you'll see any secondary coloring.
This is Shadow, a 3 year old boy,
photo courtesy of Dawn Dorbeck.
Min Su, at 18 months old,
courtesy of Ron Hamilton
Joey Baggadoughnuts, courtesy of David Small
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- it's sad that our canine companions have such shorter lives than us humans. But, there are quite a few things you can do to ensure that your sweet Shih Tzu lives as long as possible.
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White Shih Tzu
- Like black, it is rare yet possible to see a solid coat with the Shih Tzu breed; though in many cases there will be secondary colors. Learn about white Shih Tzu dogs and see some cute photos.
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- Stuck in a rut? Bored of the taking your Shih Tzu on the same old walks? Is it raining and you just don't know what to do? Try something new to help keep your dog engaged.
