Determining Coat Color
The Georgia Shih Tzu
Sheralyn Milton 678-546-0186
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Determining Coat Color
Last Modified: 10/9/08
Shih Tzu are a colorful and sweet breed. Their coats can vary as much as a rainbow and all colors are beautiful to behold. Shih Tzu are born much darker than their final coat, many are born black and lighten with time. Even as puppies, they retain a very dark coat and the lighter coats will not change, completely, until the dog is almost a year old. The only coat color that will always remain true are the Black and Whites. So how can you tell? With help and practice!
I am gathering pictures and information as I can and I am not sure how long it will take me to get this page finished, but I will at least offer what I have, as I have it. If you to donate a picture of you dog, I would be eternally grateful to anyone kind enough to send it to me. I would not mind having more than one picture of each age, especially since reds, blues, livers and brindles can vary. Please tell me this is your purpose so that I can distinguish from those wanting to show me their dogs and those wanting to donate pictures. I prefer long coats, but for the time will accept all.
The AKC recognizes 7 shih tzu coat colors with all seven colors being either Parti or solid; all are listed and explained, below. Some colors are easy to distinguish; the rest can cause some confusion. Two of the colors depend upon skin pigment, the rest are coat color. The real problem with coat color is the many ranges of shade within each allowance. Do not be afraid to place your dog in the best category you can, even if they are a shade darker or lighter.
PLEASE NOTE! The color on the face does not matter when claiming coat color for reds, golds, blacks, silvers and brindles; see below for blues and livers. The face comes in when determining the presence of a mask or tips, only. So if your dog is solid everywhere, but for streaks on the face, of any other color, they are still solid, but with a mask. The mask is what makes the Shih Tzu a Shih Tzu, though the mask is not mandatory. I also want to lay to rest a myth that "it is not possible for two partis to produce solid colored pups and two solids to produce parti pups". It is possible; I have had many solids in the past from two parti parents. You may debate that all you want, but there it is. Mother nature is not as neat as all that and you may see some pretty funny designs while you are at it.
Solid Black
Pictures courtesy of Hermione Paddington & Karen Kenninger
Solid Blacks are very easy to distinguish. They will only be black, but are allowed only a tiny amount of white anywhere and may have a white tummy. The black may change, slightly, with age with a few dark highlights presenting. If there is any more white on the body, even if mostly black, it is a Black & White.
Black & White
Pictures courtesy of Rachel Conover, Kathy Raymond & Anne Loeffler
Black and Whites are also easy to tell and they are the only coat color that will always stay true without change with age. You may have mostly White with only a small amount of Black; still Black and White. Blacks with only a very tiny amount of White may be considered Solid Black. If the amount of Black is absolutely tiny the dog is a Solid Silver.
Solid Blue
Blue shih tzu are extremly rare. They have a gene that does not allow for black pigment or hair so their eyes, skin, nose, foot pads and lips will be blue. Their coat may be any solid color, except black. Many healthy shih tzu will have blue eyes, but they are only allowed in the show ring if they are true blues.
Blue & White
If there is a fair amount of White, the dog is a parti. As with the solids, Blues have blue eyes, skin, nose, foot pads and lips. Their coat will be white and any other color, except black, so a blue may look like any other. Blue and Whites are just as rare as Solid Blues so do not be so easily led when a breeder claims to have a blue.
Solid Brindle
Picture courtesy of Becky Kidd & Gloria Ramos
Solid Brindles are the confusing and beautiful color. Brindles are a mix of Black, Liver, Silver and Gold. The mixture reminds me of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream with Caramel and the affect is lovely. These dogs seem to be harder to find lately since it has become practice to try to breed more of the rarer colors. What a shame.
Brindle & White
Pictures courtesy of Anne Loeffler, Gloria Ramos & Mickie
Again, there is the mix described with the Solid Brindles, but with the patches of White where ever they may be.
Solid Liver
Picture courtesy of Sabrina Baker
Livers, like blues are determined only by the pigment of their skin. A liver will never have any black on it's body, as the darker skin pigment makes the black impossible. They will have brown eyes, skin, hair, nose, foot pads and lips. Livers are less rare than blues, but may still be hard to find. Unlike the blues, their coats will look brown or red.
Liver & White
Pictures courtesy of Jeanette Howard
Liver and White have the mix of white into their coat color, but are still determined true Livers by the brown pigment of their eyes, skin, hair, nose, foot pads and lips. As with the solid livers, there will be no black in hair or skin.
Solid Red
Pictures courtesy of Sabrina Baker & My Sweet Chamonix
Reds are those dogs that are too dark to be golds and do not have the brown pigment required for liver. They may have a black mask and/or tips. Reds and Golds are registered, determined, by the shade of the coat. Pale strawberry coats may be considered reds, while they may also be golds. The Shih Tzu Organization is not very strict on the labeling of these two colors so do not be afraid to choose which is best, but try not to label them too young as the coat may change!
Red & White
Pictures courtesy of Jody Ingram& Avi
Red and Whites are partis that have dark brown hair with white patches. They would be too dark to be Gold and would have black mask and/or tips. As with the Solids, do not be afraid to label as best you can, but wait until they are older and the coat color is more stable.
Solid Gold
Pictures courtesy of Rachel Conover, Kim Taylor & Leisa Watkins
Gold coats can range from pale cream to light brown in color or strawberry blonde. The range tends to confuse many, but reds and golds are based soley on coat color and without strict rules, so choose wisely.
Gold & White
Pictures courtesy of Missy Belle Kissimee, Annie Molasses,Toto Happiness & Janette Jolley
Gold and Whites have been debatable with breeders who are not as familiar with the color chart. They have been called blondes, creams, strawberries and mistakenly called Brindles. You will notice above that the range is bigger than you would expect, but they are still gold. I have provided three adult pictures for the Gold and Whites, above, so that you can see the possibilities. You will also notice the new addition, the solid white. Solid whites belong here as, they fall into the light coats that signify the name Gold.
Solid Silver
Picture courtesy of Haley Hurst & Becky Kidd
Silvers are becoming less and less of a mystery thanks to pictures from other owners who I thank very heartily. Solid Silvers may be born with dark grey and/or black hair. As they age the coat lightens to silver. Be careful to wait until the pup has grown before labeling it's coat color.
Silver & White
Picture courtesy of Alisha Davenport
Silver Partis will be like their Solid relations only with plenty of white dotted in. They may be born with black and/or dark grey hair that lightens into silver with age. And also with the Solids, be sure to wait for the coat to stabilize before claiming it's color. Many experienced breeders will be able to tell in a pup, but it takes years of practice.
I must give thanks where it is due to the American Shih Tzu Club. They were very kind and extremely helpful in guiding me through the myths and misconceptions of color that has spread through the years. Without the help of a wonderful lady, I would not be able to bring you the truth. Thank you!!
My hope is that the information I provide is helpful. If so please sign my Guestbook.
*For questions or comments, please email me at The Georgia Shih Tzu