Doggy Spa

What You Should Know About Your Black and White Shih Tzu

All Shih Tzu puppies and dogs are adorable however, black and white ones stand out because of their striking colours that contrast sharply with each other. If you are planning to get a black and white Shih Tzu, you will want to know the following interesting facts:-

1.  Shih Tzu puppies and dogs with this colouring are black dogs with white markings and NOT white dogs with black markings.

2.  The white markings on black Shih Tzu puppies and dogs are determined by the S-locus, which is also called the “spotting gene”. However, this does not mean that your dog will have literal spots like a Dalmatian.

3.  The development of white markings actually begin in the womb. The markings usually start at the muzzle, chest, paws and tail and then spread outwards from these points.

4.  Shih Tzu puppies and dogs with white bodies and black paws/chest are extremely rare.

5.  Black and white Shih Tzu puppies and dogs can be classified according to the amount of white markings they contain. Those that are 50% black and 50% white are called parti piebald, while those who have more black colouring than white are called Irish mark piebald. Shih Tzu puppies and dogs with mostly white colouring and just a little bit of black are called extreme piebald.


Changing Colours

It is important to note that Shih Tzu puppies and dogs continue to change their colours even when they are out of the womb. Their white markings can spread to a wider area (only the white markings spread, not the black) and these changes only stop when they reach adulthood. This means that the lovely pattern that your puppy has may no longer be the same when he grows up.

Taking care of your Black and White Shih Tzu

Black and white Shih Tzu puppies and dogs do not need special care. As long as they are healthy, you can groom them the way you groom other Shih Tzu puppies and dogs with different colouring.

However, you do need to be careful with tear stains. Most Shih Tzu puppies and dogs produce tears, which run down their fur and cause tear stains. These not only look unsightly but can also create the ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow.

Tear stains are not that noticeable in black and white Shih Tzu puppies and dogs, especially those that have a black mask on their face, but this is what can make tear stains problematic. Since you cannot easily notice tear stains on your dog’s face, you will not be able to clean his face properly and provide him with the right treatment. So, instead of just relying on sight, it is vitally important to touch the fur below your dog’s eyes and check if they feel crusty and / or flaky. If they do, it’ is a sign that your Shih Tzu is developing (somewhat invisible) tear stains.