Shih Tzu Colors

All colors are equally acceptable by the AKC, but there is one color that is not yet AKC recognized, that is lavender. Lavender occurs when a liver dog has dilute coloring. Genetically the dog will be  b/b on the B locus, and d/d on the D locus - both fully recessive traits.

Generally a dog is classified by the pigment of the nose, skin, and foot pads. The possibilities for pigment colors are: 

• black
• liver - some call it chocolate
• blue
• lavender

Coat Colors: 

Black

Red

Chocolate

Liver

Silver

Brindle

White

Cream

Blue

Lavender

Gold

Coat Patterns: 

Black and liver dogs can have any color of coat, but a liver dog will never have any black hair anywhere on its body. Blue is dilute black and lavender is dilute liver.

Abstract & Tuxedo — These dogs are usually one basic color (or brindle) with minimal white. Abstract is commonly referred to when a dog has small patches of white coloring on the chest, toes, tip of the tail, etc. Tuxedo marked dogs have a large white patch on the chest (shirt front) and chin, and some white on the feet/toes/ The darker color extends down the legs to resemble the Tuxedo jacket. The dog will have significantly less than 50% of its body with white hair. Sometime the term 'Irish Spotting' may be used, but it is believed that this is controlled by a different gene. White spotting is controlled by the S locus. If a dog has abstract white or tuxedo markings they will most likely only have one copy of the spotting gene (S/sp).

Blaze — A white stripe running up the center of the face, usually between the eyes usually ends before the crown of the head. It can be seen on abstract, tuxedo, or parti colored Shih Tzu and is controlled by the spotting gene on the S locus.

Collar or Shawl — White marking around the neck, can be a full circle or partially around the neck. It can be seen on abstract, tuxedo, or parti colored Shih Tzu, although it may be less visible on a parti patterned coat. Collar and shawl type markings are controlled by the spotting gene on the S locus.

Dobie or Tan Points — Many Shih Tzu breeders refer to tan points, markings like a doberman pinscher as 'dobie'. There are possibilities of tan points with abstract, parti, or solid color dogs. The tan points can range in color from dark red, to cream, to almost white. The parti or spotting gene can mask some of the tan point expression. The saddle tan gene also affects the tan points. It makes the tan color spread farther than they would in a classically tan pointed dog. The recessive red gene can mask all of the tan points coloring. Dobie is possible in black, blue, liver, or lavender pigmented Shih Tzu.

Eye Stripes — Dark shading from the inner corner of the eyes that resemble an eyebrow. Usually black hair in a black pigmented dog, and dark brown in a liver pigmented dog. Eye stripes are controlled by the masking gene on the M locus.

Flare — A blaze that widens as it approaches the crown of the head. Flare is controlled by the spotting gene on the S locus. It can be seen on abstract, tuxedo, or parti colored Shih Tzu.

Mask — Dark shading on the muzzle, possibly up to the eye brows, or the entire face and head.  Masking can also add dark color to the tips of the ears, chest, across the length of the back, and also to the tips of the feet and tail. The degree of masking can vary from dog to dog. It is controlled by the masking gene on the M locus.

Saddle — A large patch of color over the back, where a blanket or saddle would go. The size and placement of the saddle is controlled by the spotting gene on the S locus.

Parti — A parti marked dog is a white dog with colored patches. The colored patches can be solid, brindled, display sable coloring (gold or red with black hairs interspersed), or have tan points in them. There can be a lot of color but usually 50% or more of the dog is white. The parti gene is a recessive trait and must be passed on from both parents.  It is controlled by the S locus, a parti dog will have (sp/sp) on this locus, while a carrier of parti will show (S/sp) when tested.
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Ticking — Tiny spots that appear in the white patches of the hair as the dog matures. This resembles the spots on a Dalmatian Dog. Many times the ticking can be seen on the skin of the belly without affecting the hair color. 

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