Blue And White Shih Tzu – Spoiler alert: they’re not actually blue, and that’s not referring to the color of their fur, but more to their skin.
However, even though they are not as popular among others of the breed, this does not make them any less attractive.
Blue And White Shih Tzu
“Blue Shih Tzu” is a term used to describe the pigmentation of the Shih Tzu dog breed. This term refers to a genetic change that means there is a blue-black color in the dog’s nose, lips and eyeballs.
Shih Tzu Dog Washing Image & Photo (free Trial)
The difference between a blue shih tzu and, say, a golden shih tzu, is that they are not named for the color of their fur, but for the color of their skin.
Like the liver of the Shih Tzu, these puppies are defined as blue based on how certain parts of the body look.
Without their liver counterparts, all other Shih Tzus except the Blue Shih Tzu have black noses, eye rims, and paws.
In liver dogs, these body parts are brown in color, but in blue they give off a diluted bluish color that is more difficult to see than a Shih Tzu’s liver.
Types Of Shih Tzu Breeds
Although “blue” refers to the Shih Tzu’s skin and not its coat color, these puppies can be any color or combination of the breed, but are usually shades of gray or a darker shade of black.
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, two standard colors are officially recognized among blue Shih Tzus and those colors are blue, blue and white.
This does not mean that they cannot have other colors, as the AKC recognizes all colors under the Shih Tzu breed.
However, when it comes to their eyes, Shih Tzu’s blue eyes are lighter than other types of Shih Tzu, which are usually dark brown.
Shih Tzu Wearing Blue Bow Hair Stock Photo 71661481
Although the American Kennel Club does not specify what shade of light they come in, it can range from amber brown to perhaps hazel.
Blue Shih Tzus are definitely not the norm when it comes to Shih Tzus. They are the result of a rare reverse gene, making them less likely to be produced in a litter.
As a result, the blue Shih Tzu is not as common as other types of Shih Tzu, but you are more likely to encounter a blue Shih Tzu than one with a solid color coat.
Another reason why they can be considered rare is that their skin color is thinned black.
Shih Tzu Dog Breed Information & Characteristics
However, you may have to get up close, in natural light, to see that unique blue color on their skin.
Blue Shih Tzu’s look black because their skin tone is a subtle form of black.
However, a very clear difference between the black Shih Tzu and the blue Shih Tzu is that the black Shih Tzu is classified by coat color, not skin.
So a blue Shih Tzu can be black, but a black Shih Tzu is not always considered blue.
Shih Tzu Puppy Sitting On Colorful Background, Tibetan Terrier, Blue Fur, Cotton Candy Clouds Background Image And Wallpaper For Free Download
A little confusing, but that’s the beauty of the Blue Shih Tzu, and it does a great job of being unique in a breed known for its unique characteristics.
In contrast, blue Shih Tzus are a lighter shade of black and come across as a silvery gray tone.
Another difference between the two is that although the color of a black Shih Tzu can go a lighter shade of black, blue Shih Tzus are born that way and will always have that special look. on the nose and other parts of the body.
In dogs that have a mutation that means a “blue” appearance, they usually have amber eyes, but the traditional Shih Tzu, without this mutation, has dark brown eyes.
The Secret Language Of Shih Tzu Colors: What Does Your Dog’s Coat Say?
Who knew that a puppy as majestic and curious as the Blue Shih Tzu could owe its striking appearance to some good old-fashioned genetics?
The Blue Shih Tzu is the result of a genetic mutation in a section of DNA that contains the D locus. It is linked to the MLPH gene, which is responsible for the dog’s color.
Simply put, the D locus represents the color black, and when this is disrupted, the MLPH gene is affected, making the Shih Tzu blue!
For a Shih Tzu to be blue, both parents must be carriers of the gene, meaning they can be a traditional Shih Tzu but can pass the blue version on to their children.
Shih Tzu On A Blue Cushion Stock Photo
Blue dog alleles are represented by two lowercase letters (d/d), with the lowercase d being the blue dog gene.
If there are two parents (D / D), this means that the puppy is not considered blue. The capital letter D stands for non-blue gene.
If both parents are d/d the dog will definitely have the thin gene and finally if both parents are D/d even if they are not blue shih tzu there is a 50% chance their puppy will be a blue shih tzu hatchling .
An interesting fact about blue Shih Tzus is that those with a mutated D locus are also more prone to developing alopecia, which is actually hair loss that can occur in dogs.
Shih Tzu Dog Black White On Blue Garden Yard Flag
Therefore, knowing the genetics of a blue shih tzu is important not only when it comes to understanding why they are blue, but also to understand why these types of shih tzu are rare.
In conclusion, although many people may not be as familiar with the blue Shih Tzu compared to others of the same breed or famous blue dogs such as the Australian Shepherd, they are just as cute and beautiful.
This Shih Tzu is characterized by its blue skin color and is one of only two in the breed that is characterized by skin tone rather than coat color.
The easiest way to tell if you have a blue shih tzu is to look at the nose, eye creases or paws.
Shih Tzu Black And White: Combined Charm And Elegance
You will definitely see the special shade that makes it so special. The blue color makes the Shih Tzu variety rare and a popular commodity for those who love the look of a blue dog.
Although the color of the Shih Tzu is not a true blue color as we may know it, the lighter shade makes it different from the jet black color.
While other Shih Tzu colors may fade or change over time, this particular puppy will always have that special blue color it can have.
The materials on this website are provided for general information only and do not constitute legal, veterinary or other professional advice on any subject. We strongly encourage owners to seek veterinary advice regarding any medical issues or concerns. Although the information on this site is updated from time to time, there is no guarantee that the information provided on this site is accurate, complete and/or current. symptoms. All you have to do is read it carefully and see which color suits you best.
Meet The Breeds: Shih Tzu
The most popular Shih Tzu colors are black, white, blue, brindle, gold, red, liver, silver, lavender or isabella, and albino.
The American Kennel Club accepts seven Shih Tzu bicolors, including black and white, blue and white, and brindle and white.
Tri-colored Shih Tzus are less common and can have combinations such as black, gold, and silver. However, the AKC does not consider tricolor Shih Tzus to be a normal color.
Are Black Shih Tzus Rare? Yes, they are. In fact, mixed color Shih Tzu dogs tend to be more common than solid or single color Shih Tzus.
Shih Tzu Blue Bows Hair 4 Stock Photo 69428890
In terms of color, the solid black Shih Tzu is the rarest type. If a puppy has at least one mark of a different color, make sure you don’t pay the price of a solid black Shih Tzu.
A true black Shih Tzu should have a full black coat. In addition, the nose, legs, eyes and even the belly and chest should be black.
Remember that their fur takes on a silvery appearance as they age. But the black points will still be true black in a legally black Shih Tzu.
Black pigmentation or the corresponding gene is believed to be dominant. This contradicts the rarity of the color, as they should be found in abundance in other dog breeds. However, there is a specific gene interaction in the black Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu Dog With Short Hair After Grooming Front View. On Bright White And Blue Background. Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 73957640
To begin with, the melanocyte-stimulating hormone MC1R interacts with the dominant black gene at the K locus. The black gene interacts simultaneously with the A (Agouti) gene.
If you don’t know, the same gene is responsible for the Shih Tzu’s red and gold color.
Most black Shih Tzu are not very comfortable in an extremely hot environment. They also need regular grooming as the black coat can mask the actual level of dust and dirt. You have to be careful with their long double coat because too much force can hurt their skin.
One could argue that a pure white Shih Tzu is as rare or even rarer than a pure black Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu Dog Stock Photo. Image Of White, Looking, Animal
But the real challenge is to distinguish the white Shih Tzu from the albino Shih Tzu, which we will talk about at the end.
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