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. Many times these shih tzu  puppies will change color.


Shih Tzu have a fading gene, a silver gene and a chinchilla gene.  This means a puppy can turn silver, develop chinchilla tipping or fade and become lighter as they become an adult. So that means the "rare color" if you pay more for it, is no longer a "rare color", you pay extra for nothing, it is a gimmick, a sales pitch, a marketing scam.

Our puppy prices are never based on color.

Responsible breeders show to a Championship, they participate in Obedience and OFA Health Test.  There are many breeders that put in the effort, time and money to breed responsibly.  Responsible breeders do not breed only to produce "rare colors" to sell for more profit.

Responsible breeders do not charge more for "rare colors"


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, they can have a black mask or a blue mask or a chocolate 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 clipped in a puppy clip, tiger stripes (brindle) can appear!

Our shih tzu come in all the wonderful colors available, check with us we just might have the color you prefer. We do not charge more for "rare colors"