The Rare Color Myth

The term "rare color" is simply another marketing gimmick.

Color : according to the Shih Tzu breed standard " All are permissible and to be considered equally."

Any breeder telling you they have "rare colors" is just giving you a sales pitch in an attempt to make a higher profit.

Our puppy prices are never based on color.

Ethical, responsible breeders breed to meet the breed standard.  They show in conformation, they participate in obedience and fully Health Test.  They do not breed to produce "rare colors" to sell for more profit. 

While Chocolate, Blue, and Solid colors are all allowed, the truth is the Traditional colors of Gold & White and Silver & White with a nice blaze on the face, and even markings have been preferred in the show ring. 

A little known fact is that the first Champion Shih Tzu in 1949 was a Liver(Chocolate) & White shih tzu, Ta Chi of Taishan.   

Chocolate(liver) with a liver pigment nose  is simply carried recessively.  They are not a rare  color.

Blue with a blue pigment nose, is simply a dilute carried recessively.  They are not a rare color.

Piebald spotting and Irish spotting are the pattern of White in the coat.

Pure White is just an extreme piebald spotting gene.  It is not a rare color. 

Gold comes in many shades from a light cream, apricot or peachy color to a dark gold, none are a rare color.

Red comes in many shades from an orange to a deep mahogany red, none are a rare color.

Shih Tzu also have a Brindle gene, a Fading gene and a  Silver/Chinchilla gene. They can have a black mask.

All of which makes for the wonderful rainbow of colors that our lovely Shih Tzu come in. 

Because these combination of genes that control color are allowed in the Shih Tzu breed, there is no way to guarantee your shih tzu will remain the color it is when purchased as a puppy. 

A deep gold can fade to a a pretty soft cream color, a dark black can silver out to a striking silver.  A rich chocolate can turn into an attractive cinnamon shade.  A shih tzu that looks black, when cut in a puppy clip, tiger stripes (brindle) can appear!

Our shih tzu come in all the wonderful colors available.  So whatever color you prefer, check with us, we just may have the puppy for you.