Black and White Shih Tzu
What the color is, how it changes as a puppy grows, and what it means for you.
A black and white Shih Tzu is often the first image that comes to mind for the breed, and it is easy to see why. The contrast between dark patches and a white coat is eye catching, and every dog is marked a little differently.
On this page you will find how these patterns are described, how a black and white shih tzu puppy can change as the coat grows, and where the AKC standard stands on markings. There is also a note on tri-color dogs and a few grooming points.
Looking for a Puppy? See the Other Colors
There are no black and white Shih Tzu puppies available right now. The brown and gold puppies are ready to go home, or tell me what you are hoping for.
What Does a Black and White Shih Tzu Look Like?
The pattern comes in two broad styles. In one, the dog is mainly white with patches of black, often on the ears, around the eyes and across the back. In the other, the dog is mainly black with white on the face, chest, feet or tail tip. Anything between the two is also possible.
The pigment stays black either way, so the nose, lips and eye rims are dark against a white muzzle. That gives the face a clear, defined look, and the dark eyes show up well.
Black and white is also the pattern people most often picture when they think of a Shih Tzu in a puppy cut, since the dark ears and eye patches stand out against the white face. A shorter clip makes the markings easier to see and the dog easier to keep clean.
The patches look larger or smaller depending on the angle and the length of the coat, so more than one photo, in different light, gives the best idea.
What Is a Parti Shih Tzu?
Parti is a word for a coat made of white with patches of one color. A black and white parti has black patches on white. The same idea applies to gold and white or brown and white dogs, so it describes the pattern, not the shade.
Some families ask for symmetrical markings, such as an even blaze or matching patches on each ear. Markings differ from puppy to puppy, and you can see this yourself on the available puppies page, where every puppy has its own photos.
The word is used loosely by breeders and families, and some people use it only for dogs with a lot of white. Others use it for any dog with patches of color on white. If you are looking for one pattern in particular, describe it in your message and ask for photos.
Do Black and White Shih Tzu Markings Change?
The white markings generally stay where they are. What can change is the look of the dark areas. Black may soften slightly as the adult coat arrives, and a long, silky coat can make the edge between black and white look softer than it did on the short puppy coat.
Coat length matters too. A dog in a puppy cut shows crisp patches, while a long show-style coat blends them. Neither is better, and the haircuts page shows how the same dog looks in different cuts.
Is a Tri-Color Shih Tzu the Same Thing?
Not quite. A tri-color dog shows three shades, for example black, white and tan or gold. Some dogs sit between the two descriptions, and the name often depends on how the owner sees the dog.
If three colors matter to you, look carefully at the photos and the adult coat, because the coat can look different in different light and as it grows.
How Does the Breed Standard Treat Black and White?
The AKC standard says all colors and markings are permissible and to be considered equally. So a black and white dog is not preferred over a solid one, and it is not penalized either. What counts is structure, coat, expression and movement.
The standard also describes the temperament as outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting. That description belongs to the breed as a whole, not to any one color. Our guide to the Shih Tzu breed covers the full picture.
Is the White in the Coat a Concern for Skin or Sun?
White hair itself is fine. The point to watch is pink skin, because it can burn in strong sun more easily than dark skin. The standard lists pink on the nose, lips or eye rims as a fault, and a dog with black pigment has a protected, dark nose.
Where hair is thin, on the belly and around the nose, check the skin on hot days. Shade, a cool spot and shorter outdoor trips handle most of it, and your vet can advise on anything more.
Does a Black and White Shih Tzu Behave Differently?
There is no reliable evidence that coat pattern predicts personality. How a puppy behaves comes from the individual dog and from the way it is raised. At Royal Silk Shih Tzus litters are born and raised in the house with their mother, and then in a clean indoor pen once weaned, so puppies are used to household life.
If you would like to talk about which puppy fits your home, write through the contact page. You can also compare with the solid black Shih Tzu page.
How Do You Choose Between Puppies With Similar Markings?
Look at the face first: where the white sits, whether the blaze is straight or off-center, and how the dark patches frame the eyes. Then look at the body. Puppies from the same litter can be marked quite differently, so two puppies with the same colors can feel like different dogs on first sight.
Size, energy and coat quality matter more in daily life than a pattern does. Write through the contact page and we can talk through the puppies, how they get home and what comes with them. The go-home package is listed in full.
Black and White Shih Tzu Questions
01Is a black and white Shih Tzu a parti?
Yes, when the dog has patches of black on a white coat, that is what parti means. A mostly black dog with white markings is usually just described as black and white.
02Will my black and white puppy stay black and white?
The white markings generally stay where they are. The black can soften a little as the adult coat comes in, and any change is usually done by about a year.
03Are black and white Shih Tzus more expensive?
The price page explains what a puppy costs and what is included, and each puppy card on the available puppies page shows its own details.
04What color is the nose on a black and white Shih Tzu?
Black. The AKC standard describes nose, lips and eye rims as black on all colors except liver and blue pigmented dogs.
05Do black and white Shih Tzus need special grooming?
No. Brush through to the skin, bathe regularly and keep the face clean. White areas can show tear staining near the eyes more than black areas do.
Hoping for a Black and White Shih Tzu?
Tell me what you are looking for, and ask about the puppies available now.