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.

5 Foods That Could Kill Your Shih Tzu

5 Foods That Could Kill Your Shih Tzu

DO NOT FEED!!

What Are the Foods That You Shouldn't Give to Your Shih Tzu?

Like many pet parents (me included), you probably get tempted to give your little Shih Tzu a tasty morsel whenever you sit down to a meal or enjoy some snacks (Hugo's favourite is crisps). After all, who can resist it when your Shih Tzu turns his beautiful puppy eyes on you and begs for a taste? However, not all human foods are safe for your furry friend to eat.  In fact, a lot of your treats can be harmful to his wellbeing and cause serious health problems or even death.

Here is a list of the food and drinks that you should never give to your Shih Tzu:-

1.Chocolate

It might seem nice to give your pet a sweet treat every now and then, but it is actually a bad idea since chocolate can make dogs very sick. This comes from the fact that it contains Ignore — substances that are present in cacao beans, which are what chocolate is made of. Methylxanthines can cause a wide range of symptoms in dogs, such as panting, vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme thirst, and excessive urination. In severe cases, they can lead to seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death.

Take note that methylxanthines are also present in coffee and soda, so you should also avoid giving them to your Shih Tzu.

2.Grapes

Grapes are healthy for people, but they can be toxic in dogs. It’s not yet clear what substance can cause this toxicity, but it’s already been observed that eating grapes can cause dogs to develop kidney failure. So make sure to keep your Shih Tzu away from grapes as well as raisins, which have the same effect on canines.

3.Garlic and Onions

One of the reasons why you shouldn’t give table scraps to your pet is that they may contain garlic and onions. These vegetables make human food taste great, but they’re dangerous to dogs since they can irritate their gastrointestinal system and cause damage to their red blood cells. Because of these, it’s important to stick to dog food that’s approved by your vet and keep your Shih Tzu away from fresh garlic and onions.

4.Macadamia Nuts

Thinking of giving your dog macadamia nuts as a treat? Think again. These nuts have been proven to cause tremors, vomiting, muscle weakness, and even fevers in dogs that ingest them, and these symptoms can last up to two days. Fortunately, most dogs that ingest macadamia nuts don’t need any treatment and can recover on their own, although you should still avoid exposing your pet to this type of nut to keep him away from the symptoms above.

However, it’s not just macadamia that’s dangerous for your pet. Other nuts such as pecan, walnuts, and almonds contain large amounts of oils and fats, which are considered to be healthy for humans but can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs and may even lead them to develop pancreatitis.

5.Bones

Over the years, dogs have been shown with bones clutched in their mouths in many movies and TV shows. But what you have to realize is that bones can actually be dangerous for dogs since they cause them to choke and can even damage their digestive tract. Again, stick to the dog food and treats that your vet recommends instead of giving your Shih Tzu a bone to gnaw on.

These are some of the foods that you should not give to your Shih Tzu.  Keep them in mind to keep your pet safe and healthy!

If anyone has any other foods to add to this list please leave a comment - thanks.