Black Shih Tzu
What the color is, how it changes as a puppy grows, and what it means for you.
A black Shih Tzu has a deep, dark coat, dark eyes and a black nose, and it makes one of the most striking looks in the breed. A truly solid black dog is lovely to see, though a small patch of white on the chest, toes or tail tip is quite common.
Below is what to expect from a black coat as a puppy grows, how the AKC standard treats it, and what the shade means for grooming, sun and personality. It also shows how black differs from the other dark colors.
Looking for a Puppy? See the Other Colors
There are no black 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 Shih Tzu Look Like?
A black Shih Tzu has a coat that reads as black from the muzzle to the tail. The nose, lips and eye rims are black too, so the face is dark and the large round eyes stand out against it. In bright light the coat can show a soft sheen, particularly when it is brushed and clean.
Many black dogs have a little white. A white blaze, a patch on the chest, white toes or a white tip on the tail are all common, and the dog is still described as black. If the white covers more of the body, it moves into black and white territory.
A few minutes of brushing each day does more for the look of a black coat than any product.
Is an All Black Shih Tzu Common?
Solid black dogs exist, and so do dogs with a small white marking. When families ask for an all black Shih Tzu, they usually mean a dog that looks black at a glance, and a tiny white mark on the chest does not change that.
If you want a dog with no white anywhere, say so when you write to us, because it is worth deciding early what you mean. A puppy with a few white hairs on the chest can still be a very dark dog overall.
Does a Black Shih Tzu Puppy Stay Black?
Not always exactly. A black puppy can be very dark at 8 weeks, and the color may shift a little as the adult coat comes in. Some soften toward charcoal as they age, and some show a few gray or lighter hairs, particularly in the longer coat on the ears and legs.
Any change is usually finished by about a year, though a coat can keep shifting slightly after that. It is wise to picture the adult dog when you choose a puppy, not only the puppy in the photo.
Our Shih Tzu grooming guide covers brushing, which affects how glossy and even a coat looks.
What Does the Breed Standard Say About Black?
The AKC standard states that all colors and markings are permissible and to be considered equally. That includes solid black and black with white. The standard also says nose, lips and eye rims are black on all colors except liver and blue pigmented dogs, so a black Shih Tzu has what the standard describes as the usual pigment.
Black is not preferred, and it is not penalized. The standard asks for the same things in every color: a compact, solid body, a round broad head, a warm expression and a long, dense double coat.
How Do You Groom a Black Shih Tzu?
The routine is the same as for any Shih Tzu: brush through to the skin, bathe regularly and keep the face and under the eyes clean. A dark coat hides stains, though it does show lint, dust and dandruff more plainly, so a quick brush before photos is worth it.
Many families keep the coat clipped short in a puppy cut. A Shih Tzu haircut on a black dog gives a very neat outline, and a teddy bear cut keeps the round face. The haircuts page shows the options.
Is a Black Shih Tzu Friendlier, Healthier or Calmer Than Other Colors?
There is no reliable evidence that coat color predicts personality, and it should not be treated as a guide to temperament. Black Shih Tzus are as affectionate and as stubborn as any other, depending on the dog. For the breed as a whole, our Shih Tzu temperament guide is the better place to look.
On health, the well-established points are about pigment and skin, not coat color. A dog with black pigment has a dark nose that tolerates sun far better than a pink one, but every Shih Tzu still needs sensible care in strong sun, and regular vet checks.
Choosing a Black Shih Tzu Puppy
Think about the whole dog, not only the shade. Look at the eyes, the shape of the face, the coat and how the puppy behaves, and ask what is included when the puppy goes home. Royal Silk Shih Tzus raises litters at home, and puppies go home from eight weeks old with health documents and a one-year guarantee in writing. The go-home package page lists everything.
To see the puppies here now, browse the available puppies page, or see the other Shih Tzu colors if you are still deciding.
What Should I Ask Before Choosing a Black Puppy?
Ask what the puppy looks like now, and ask for recent photos in daylight. Ask whether any white markings are small enough to stay hidden under a clip. Ask what the vet check covered and how the puppy gets home.
Travel is simple to arrange. A puppy can be met at an agreed public place in Arizona, driven door to door by ground transport, or flown in the cabin with a flight nanny, and the delivery page explains each way. Costs are quoted for each address.
Black Shih Tzu Questions
01Are black Shih Tzus rare?
Not especially. Black is one of the best known Shih Tzu colors, and many black dogs have a small white marking on the chest, toes or tail tip.
02Does a black Shih Tzu puppy turn gray?
It can a little. Some black puppies soften toward charcoal or show a few lighter hairs as the adult coat grows in, usually by about a year.
03Do black Shih Tzus have black noses?
Yes. Black pigment is the usual pigment on a Shih Tzu, and the AKC standard describes the nose, lips and eye rims as black on all colors except liver and blue pigmented dogs.
04Is a black Shih Tzu harder to groom?
No harder than another color. The routine of brushing, bathing and face cleaning is the same, and a dark coat shows lint and dust a little more than it shows stains.
05How do I find out which puppies are here now?
Look at the available puppies page, or write through the contact form and we can talk about what suits you.
Hoping for a Black Shih Tzu?
Tell me what you are looking for, and ask about the puppies available now.