The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepts all different colors and patterns of the
shih tzu
, and its breed standard states, “All are permissible and to be considered equally.” Both the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) are similarly relaxed about Shih Tzu’s coat colors.
Do all Shih Tzu have double coat?
The Shih Tzu breed has a double coat of hair , a
shorter inner layer
and a long outer layer, though it should be noted that due to
poor breeding practices
, a Shih Tzu may have a very thin inner layer or hardly one at all.
Do Shih Tzu have thick coat?
Fully grown Shih Tzu have a double coat of thick hair which means if not groomed it can mat easily, taking you more time in the long run to restore the coat to the tidy, clean look your dog deserves. There are many stages to your Shih Tzu’s coat.
Do Shih Tzu have soft fur?
As a puppy, a Shih Tzus coat is very fine, soft, and fluffy It isn’t until they reach between 6 to 12 months when they lose their puppy coats and develop their mature coat. Once they have their mature hair, it should grow at a rate of a half-inch per month.
Is Shih Tzu single or double coat?
Shih Tzu have a double coat that consists of hard topcoat and soft undercoat. The tangles are born when the undercoat drops and is mixed up with the topcoat.
Do Shih Tzus have coarse hair?
The Shih Tzu coat is long and luxurious with dense, flowing hair. Some dogs have wavy hair while others are straight and coarse The Shih Tzu comes in many colors and shades, and the AKC offers no guidance on color or markings for the official breed standard. All are acceptable.
Why is my Shih Tzu hair curly?
Wavy hair is acceptable in Shih Tzus according to the breed’s standards, but the coat should not be curly. If your Shih Tzu does have curly hair, it could be due to the dog not being purebred, repeated short trims, or a genetic-based trait resulting in an improper coat.
How can I improve my Shih Tzu coat?
- Pay Attention To Your Dog’s Diet. Before taking any other precaution to maintain your pooch’s coat, it is important to take a look at your dog’s food intake
- Choose The Right Dog Shampoo
- Brush Your Dog’s Coat Daily
- Keep Your Dog Hydrated.
Do Shih Tzu lose their puppy coat?
Coat transition: Shih Tzu puppies go through a particular stage of life, around 10 months to one year of age, when their coat changes from the puppy coat to the adult coat. During this time, they’ll shed quite a bit, this is perfectly normal, and it should only last a few weeks.
How do I know if my Shih Tzu is purebred?
Shih Tzu have large, wide eyes Their eyes are very dark (though may be slightly lighter on liver and blue colored dogs), round, and “placed well apart”, according to the AKC. Look for a squashed-like nose. Shih Tzu have squashed-like noses with wide, open nostrils.
What is Shih Tzu hair like?
Shih Tzus are best known for their show-stopping hair, which actually has two layers. The topcoat, which can grow to be quite long, is fine and silky, while the undercoat is soft and feathery.
How can I make my Shih Tzu hair fluffy?
Blow dry the dog’s hair using the slicker brush Rather than blow drying the hair flat down, you’re going to add as much body as possible. Use the brush to lift the hair up by the roots, then point the hair dryer at the brush against the grain as you slowly brush through the hair to fluff it.
Why you shouldn’t get a Shih Tzu?
health problems
. Many Shih Tzus live a good long life. But unfortunately they can suffer from serious kidney and liver diseases, knee problems, eye diseases, itchy skin allergies, and more Read more about Shih Tzu Health.
Why is my Shih Tzu hair dry?
Shih Tzu have
natural oils
in their hair, so if they are bathed too often , their hair can become dry and cause skin irritations. Since Shih Tzu are so small, you can bath them in a utility sink or your bath tub.
What is the rarest color of Shih Tzu?
The rarest Shih Tzu colors are: pure black, liver, and silver A point to note is that for a Shih Tzu to be considered black it must have no other colors; a dog with even a slight shade of white is not black but two-color. The black color should be visible even in the nose, lips, and paws.
What is a brindle Shih Tzu?
A brindle Shih Tzu has a base color highlighted with nondescript stripes or streaks of another color Brindle is not a color but instead a streaked pattern of multicolored tones ranging from brown or black to tan or gold. No two brindle Shih Tzus will be exactly alike.
What is a Merle Shih Tzu?
Red Merle Shih Tzu The most common merle dogs are blue merles. These dogs have a blue base coat with white markings and splotches of black color on them Similarly, red merles have a cream base coat color with large portions of white coat and splotches of red coat color. Merle is caused by a partial dilution gene.
Why do Shih Tzu bite so much?
If your Shih Tzu is biting, this often is clear due to the sheer aggression that is being displayed Household members, and particularly young children or elderly adults, may be down-right scared. With a biting problem, there is a nervous vibe, and you may feel that your Shih Tzu is truly out-of-control.
Is it OK to shave a Shih Tzu?
Shaving can also result in skin problems : When a dog’s coat is cut too short, ingrown hairs can develop that can cause painful bumps or lesions. If the dog is already prone to skin problems such as dryness or sensitivity, shaving will only make those problems worse.
How do you tell if your dog has a single or double coat?
Double and Single Coated Dogs When a dog has a double coat, it means he has an undercoat that is typically shorter than his outer coat, and his hair has a dense, woolly texture And as the name suggests, single coated dogs have only one coat, without this undercoat.
What is a single coat for dogs?
Single-coated dogs, Chihuahuas and Poodles, for example, only have one layer of fur, so there’s no undercoat to speak of Because of this solo layer, the fur is just laying on itself and the dog’s skin, so dogs with a single coat aren’t usually as ‘floofy’ as their double-coated counterparts.
What breed of dog has a double coat?
Double-Coated Breeds Include: Golden and Labrador Retrievers German and Australian Shepherds. Pomeranians. Siberian Huskies.
What is the best haircut for a Shih Tzu?
- The Puppy Cut.
- Puppy Cut with Longer Ears and Tail.
- Moderate Puppy Cut.
- Lion cut.
- Teddy bear cut.
- Practical top knot.
- Top knot show cut.
Do Shih Tzus coats change color?
Overview. It is very common, and just about expected, for Shih Tzu dogs to change colors as they mature This can take first time owners off guard and it often results in some Shih Tzu having a different color than what is listed on their registration papers.
What is a teddy bear dog?
The Shichon is a mixed breed dog–a cross between the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise dog breeds Affectionate, intelligent, and outgoing, these pups inherited some of the best qualities from both of their parents. Shichons go by a few other names including the Shih Tzu-Bichon mix, Zuchon, and Teddy Bear dog.
Do Shih Tzus lose their color?
Very simply, it’s a matter of genetics. Two distinct genes determine whether a Shih Tzu’s coat will lighten or gray over time—and what his ultimate color will be. Fading: If a Shih Tzu carries the “G” gene, his coat will fade as he gets older You will notice fading in puppies as young as a month old.
Can I use coconut oil on my Shih Tzu?
Coconut Oil For Shih Tzu Dogs’ Dry and Irritated Skin You can use it on your face if you have dry skin It can be used to improve your cuticles by massaging in a small amount for a few moments. But don’t forget to share with your dog. It turns out that it has the same properties on dog’s rough skin.
What makes a dog’s coat soft and shiny?
Fatty acids, particularly omega-3 , promote healthy skin and a gleaming coat. Scientific research has shown that fish, in particular oily fish such as sardines and anchovies, contain vital nutrients that promote healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat.
What oil is good for dogs coats?
- Chamomile oil. Chamomile oil has been linked to supporting skin health.
- Coconut Oil. Just like with humans, coconut oil for dogs is helpful in maintaining healthy and hydrated skin as well as helping with odor control.
- Jojoba
- Lavender
- Fish oil
- Avocado
- Aloe Vera.
How long does it take for a Shih Tzu to grow a full coat?
If you have the coat clipped rather short into a puppy cut (also known as a summer cut or Teddy Bear style, more ahead) and if your Tzu is capable of growing his coat that long (also see ahead) it will take anywhere from 12 to 24 months for it to reach floor length again.
How often should Shih Tzus be bathed?
The thick, curled coat on a shih tzu is more high maintenance than what you’ll find on many other breeds. Typically, a shih tzu should be bathed every three weeks to keep its skin and hair healthy and to avoid bad smells from developing.
What two breeds make a Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus Came From Tibet Tibet probably sent dogs to the Chinese royalty as gifts. The Chinese then bred them with Pekingese or Pugs to create the modern-day Shih Tzu.
Do all Shih Tzus have flat faces?
This breed is categorized as brachycephalic, meaning that the muzzle and nose of the Shih Tzu is flat, though not as flat as its cousin, the Pekingese The eyes are round and wide, but in contrast to some other flat muzzled dogs, the eyes should not bulge or be too prominent.
Which is better male or female Shih Tzu?
But as it turns out, they share an average height, weight, and lifespan. Additionally, male and female Shih Tzus are affectionate and loyal. However, males have proved to be more affectionate, attentive, and accepting than females On the other hand, females are confident, dominant, assertive, and stubborn.
References
https://www.everythingshihtzu.com/do-all-shih-tzu-have-long-hair.html
https://www.hepper.com/shih-tzu-colors/