White Shih Tzu
What the color is, how it changes as a puppy grows, and what it means for you.
The white Shih Tzu looks like a small cloud with two dark eyes and a black button nose. It is a popular choice.
If you are looking at an all white Shih Tzu, there are a few things worth knowing before you choose: how pure white differs from cream, where the pigment is, how to look after the coat and what to expect from a white puppy as it grows. The answers are below, along with links to the other color pages so you can compare shades before you decide.
Looking for a Puppy? See the Other Colors
There are no 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 White Shih Tzu Look Like?
A white Shih Tzu has a pale, bright coat with dark eyes, a dark nose and dark rims around the eyes and lips. That dark pigment is what makes the face so clear against the white. Some dogs are crisp white all over, and others carry a faint cream, gold or tan tint on the ears, the back or the top of the head.
A dog with the faintest tint is still usually called white. It is worth looking at several photos in natural light and asking about the ears in particular.
A freshly brushed white dog can look almost glowing in photos, and the dark eyes and nose stand out against it. A gentle puppy shampoo, a thorough rinse and a full dry before brushing keep the hair from matting and the coat soft and light.
Is There Such a Thing as an All White Shih Tzu?
Yes, though some dogs have a few darker marks. A dog may have a small patch on an ear or a little cream on the back, and the owner still describes it as white. If you want a dog with no marks at all, say so early.
Compare this with a black and white parti, where dark patches are a feature, or with a gold and white dog, where warm shade covers a larger part of the coat.
A white Shih Tzu is a purebred Shih Tzu in every way, with the same compact body, the same long coat and the same cheerful nature as the other colors. Nothing about the shade changes what the breed needs day to day.
What Color Is the Nose on a White Shih Tzu?
The AKC standard says nose, lips and eye rims are black on all colors, except liver on liver pigmented dogs and blue on blue pigmented dogs. A white coat does not change that. Some white dogs have liver pigment and a brown nose, which is covered on the brown Shih Tzu page.
Pink on the nose, lips or eye rims is listed as a fault. Pink skin also burns more easily in strong sun, so dark pigment is practical as well as correct.
Does a White Shih Tzu Puppy Change Color?
A pale puppy may warm slightly as the coat grows in, and some that look cream at 8 weeks end up looking brighter white. Others keep the same light shade throughout. As with every Shih Tzu color, any change usually settles around the first year.
Ask for fresh photos if you are choosing for an exact shade.
Do White Shih Tzus Get Tear Stains?
They can, and on a white face the brown marks under the eyes are easier to see than on a dark one. Wiping the area daily with a soft damp cloth keeps most staining in check, and trimming the hair around the eyes helps tears drain away from the face.
If staining suddenly gets worse, or the eyes look red, see your vet, because irritation and blocked tear ducts need treating, not just cleaning. The grooming guide has daily face care steps.
Never use human products or harsh cleaners near the eyes. Plain warm water or a product your vet recommends is the safer route, and a gentle comb through the fur below the eyes keeps hair from rubbing against the eye surface.
How Hard Is a White Coat to Keep Clean?
It takes a little more attention than a dark coat, since mud, grass and food show up quickly. Brushing every day and bathing every few weeks keeps the coat bright. Many families prefer a shorter puppy cut, and the haircuts page shows how a trim makes upkeep simpler.
A white dog is not harder in temperament or health. There is no reliable evidence that coat color predicts either.
Choosing a White Shih Tzu Puppy
At Royal Silk Shih Tzus every puppy is seen by the vet before going home, goes home from eight weeks old and comes with a one-year guarantee in writing. The go-home page lists what comes with each puppy. Browse the available puppies to see who is here now.
What Should I Think About Before Choosing a White Puppy?
Think about the climate where you live, the time you have for daily brushing and wiping, and whether you mind a little staining near the eyes. A white coat suits families who enjoy grooming and do not mind a tidy-up after a muddy walk.
Think about travel too. A puppy can be met at an agreed public place in Arizona, driven door to door, or flown in the cabin with a flight nanny, and the delivery page explains each. Puppies go home from eight weeks old, and there is no application or waitlist.
White Shih Tzu Questions
01Are white Shih Tzus albino?
No. A white Shih Tzu has dark eyes, a dark nose and dark rims, which an albino dog would not have. The dark pigment is what you see around the face.
02Is a white Shih Tzu more likely to have health problems?
There is no reliable evidence that coat color changes the chance of health problems. The well-established point is that pink skin burns in sun, so dark pigment on the nose is useful.
03Will my white puppy turn cream?
It can warm a little as the adult coat comes in. Any color change is usually finished by about a year.
04How do I stop tear stains on a white Shih Tzu?
Wipe under the eyes daily and keep the hair there short. If the staining gets worse, ask your vet to check the eyes.
05Where can I see the puppies?
The available puppies page shows the puppies here now. You can also see all Shih Tzu colors.
Hoping for a White Shih Tzu?
Tell me what you are looking for, and ask about the puppies available now.