Shih Tzu Puppy Colors: Rare Coats & What to Expect

Shih Tzu puppies come in an amazing variety of coat colors, some rare, some classic and many that change as they grow. Whether you're looking to buy a Shih Tzu in a specific color or want to find out just how many colors there are, this guide will help you explore the full range of Shih Tzu puppy colors, patterns, and what makes each one unique.

According to the American Kennel Club, "All Shih Tzu Coat Colors are permissible."

• Shih Tzu are different from any other breed in that, regarding the breed standard, all colors are acceptable!

So, if every color is allowed, how many colors are there? 

Unlike some breeds that are typically one color or a set pattern of a few colors,

there is a huge variety of rich colors for the Shih Tzu breed.

Colors can include black, brown, white, tan, red, blue, yellow, silver, and gray.

Most Shih Tzu coats have multiple colors and markings.

Less often though, they may come in rare solid colors.

SOLIDS

You're less likely to see solid-colored Shih Tzu's, but they do exist. They come in colors, such as:

• White
• Black
• Red
• Silver
• Gold
• Liver
• Blue
• Brindle

DOUBLE COLOR COMBINATIONS

Many Shih Tzu coats are multi-colored. Some standard double colors for Shih Tzu are:

• Silver and white
• Black and white
• Gold and white
• Blue and white
• Brindle and white
• Liver and white
• Red and white

TRI-COLOR COMBINATIONS

The tri-color has three distinct colors making each dog unique since no two are exactly the same.

The color combinations are:

• Black, gold, and white
• Black, gold, and silver
• Silver, gold, and white

PARTI-COLORED

Parti-colored Shih Tzu have a combination of white and any other recognized color, typically in large patches.

BRINDLE

Technically, Brindle is a pattern rather than a particular color.

It refers to a certain pattern in which color falls on the coat creating a striping effect.

A pattern where dark streaks or stripes appear on a lighter background.

The colors that make up brindle on a Shih Tzu include whites, creams, golds, browns, grays, and black.

THE RAREST SHIH TZU COAT COLORS

The solid-colored coats are the hardest to come by.

• The rarest being the solid black or solid white.
• Extremely rare: solid white with liver nose and solid red with liver nose.

Then comes parti-colored, brindle, liver, black and gold.