Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Breed Information

Is a Chocolate Shih Tzu Puppy rare?

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Newborn chocolate Shih Tzu puppy in a yellow and blue sweater laying on a fluffy yellow rug.
A Chocolate Shih Tzu Puppy

Are chocolate Shih Tzu Puppies truly rare?

You may be wondering whether chocolate Shih Tzu puppies are rare or not. Chocolate Shih Tzu puppies are adorable, I think everyone can agree with that! But, is a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy rare or is this a myth? Read on to find out more about the gorgeous chocolate Shih Tzu puppy. 

Let’s start by explaining what a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy is in the first place. When breeders refer to a puppy as a chocolate Shih Tzu, they’re talking about the color of the coat.  A chocolate Shih Tzu may have anything from a deep dark chocolate coat to an almost tan-colored coat. Genetically, all chocolate Shih Tzus are considered livers, regardless of coat coloring. Liver Shih Tzu puppies are created when both breeding parents carry the recessive b gene: https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/brown-dog. The recessive b gene turns all black to brown in the liver Shih Tzus. 

Now back to the topic, chocolate Shih Tzu puppies aren’t rare so to speak. More and more breeders have chocolate Shih Tzu Puppies for sale nowadays. But, a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy’s coat color is more rare than traditional coat colors such as gold and white. It is usually much easier to find a Shih Tzu puppy with the traditional black pigment than a liver-chocolate Shih Tzu puppy.

I also feel it is worth mentioning that it may be rare to find a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy that comes from a responsible breeding program. A responsible Shih Tzu breeder carefully chooses breeding stock. Breeding adults need to be healthy and even-tempered. Furthermore, the chocolate Shih Tzu puppy should have appropriate socialization opportunities. All Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my breeding program participate in a developmentally appropriate curriculum program. Furthermore, all of my Shih Tzu puppies for sale complete temperament testing before being matched with clients.

If you’re looking for chocolate Shih Tzu puppies for sale, please remember that coat color should come secondary. I understand that you may be searching for a specific type of puppy, like a female chocolate Shih Tzu puppy for instance. But, it is much more important to search for a Shih Tzu puppy that comes from a responsible breeder. Health and temperament are much more important than coat color! On the other hand, If you happen to find a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy for sale that is healthy and has an amazing temperament consider yourself lucky and go for it!

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Should I Buy a Male or Female Shih Tzu Puppy?

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A gold female Shih Tzu puppy resting on a pink blanket.
A Female Shih Tzu Puppy

Are female Shih Tzu Puppies better than males?

As a Shih Tzu breeder,  I often have clients tell me that they have heard that female Shih Tzu puppies are more affectionate than male Shih Tzu puppies. You may be asking yourself if there is any truth to this claim. Or, is this simply another myth that has been passed down over time? The best way to find out if there is any truth to this claim is by looking at the various myths circulating and seeing if there is any truth behind them. 

The first thing I hear a lot from puppy clients is that female Shih Tzus are more lovable and make better lap dogs. I’m here to tell you that this is not true. I own quite a few adult Shih Tzus in my responsible breeding program. I raise my Shih Tzus as family members in my home. As a direct result, I get to see firsthand just how lovable and affectionate they are. I have both male and female Shih Tzus that behave like velcro dogs. Velcro dogs love nothing more than spending time cuddling with their favorite human. I also have both male and female Shih Tzus that don’t mind cuddling here and there, but also like alone time. 

So as you can see both male and female Shih Tzus are capable of showing affection. The key lies in the Shih Tzus temperament, not gender! All of the male and female Shih Tzu puppies raised in my breeding program go through Temperament testing. I test for certain traits, one of them being human focus. If a Shih Tzu puppy scores high for human focus then he or she is more likely to be that perfect lap dog that clients are often looking for, regardless of gender. 

That being said, temperament testing isn’t a guarantee. There are a lot of other things that go into an adult Shih Tzu’s personality. One must consider how the Shih Tzu puppy was raised, environmental factors, life experiences, etc. For example, if a Shih Tzu puppy is raised in a cage and never has time to bond with humans during the critical socialization period, he or she may coined as less lovable. In reality, this puppy wasn’t properly raised! You must get to know your Shih Tzu breeder. Make sure that your puppy is receiving plenty of love and human attention daily.

There is also the issue of bonding. Often a Shih Tzu will bond to a certain individual in a household regardless of gender. Many times this person is the primary caregiver. Or, your Shih Tzu may simply have a favorite human. Shih Tzus often has human preferences. There isn’t much we can do to control this type of situation if it happens. 

Another old wives tale that I hear a lot is that female Shih Tzu puppies are easier to potty train. Once again, I’m here to tell you that this isn’t the case in most situations. My male and female Shih Tzus potty trained with equal success rates. The key was being consistent in potty training expectations.

One issue that may make potty training more difficult for a male Shih Tzu arises from not neutering the dog by the time he reaches sexual maturity. Some male Shih Tzus may mark their territory around the time of puberty. Not all male dogs display this behavior but some may mark. This situation can be avoided by talking with your veterinarian about the ideal time to have your male Shih Tzu puppy neutered.

I’ve also had clients tell me that they prefer a female Shih Tzu puppy because males are more aggressive. Once again, this isn’t a gender-related trait but is a temperament issue. All I can say is get to know your Shih Tzu breeder!

An aggressive temperament is hereditary to some degree

A responsible Shih Tzu breeder will not breed Shih Tzus with aggressive temperaments in the first place. Aggressive behaviors can also be brought on by negative life experiences and environmental factors. For example, if you take your Shih Tzu puppy to a dog park and another dog attacks your Shih Tzu, your dog may become aggressive towards other dogs. 

Hopefully, you can now see that male and female Shih Tzu puppies can both make outstanding pets. Both genders are capable of affection and highly trainable under the right circumstances. If you’re looking for certain temperament traits like high human focus, work with a breeder that temperament tests puppies. Breeders that temperament test usually know which male and female Shih Tzu puppies are most affectionate. You should choose a Shih Tzu puppy that will match your lifestyle regardless of gender.

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The Ideal Age to Bring Your Shih Tzu Puppy Home

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An 8 week old male Shih Tzu Puppy wearing a blue hoodie with ears.
A Responsibly Raised Shih Tzu Puppy

You may be wondering what is the ideal age for a Shih Tzu puppy to leave mom and littermates. A Shih Tzu puppy should ideally stay with mom and littermates until at least 10 weeks of age. A Shih Tzu puppy learns important skills from mom and siblings during this critical period of development. Mom and littermates teach important skills such as bite inhibition. Shih Tzu puppies that stay with mom and siblings during the critical socialization period have an intellectual and behavioral advantage according to studies. 

I consider myself an ethical and responsible Shih Tzu breeder. I like to keep all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program until they’re at least 10 weeks old. Shih Tzus are a toy breed. A toy breed puppy develops at a slower rate than a large breed puppy. A Shih Tzu puppy needs more time to develop compared to a Golden Retriever for instance. It would be unfair to send a Shih Tzu puppy home at the 8-week mark when he or she isn’t developmentally ready.

Toy-breed puppies can be quite tiny at birth. Most of the Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program weigh at least 3 pounds by the 10-week mark. Shih Tzu puppies under 3 pounds often have trouble maintaining their blood sugar and may need to stay with the breeder a little bit longer.

As a Shih Tzu breeder, I know the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and how to prevent it in the first place. Once Shih Tzu puppies reach the 3-pound mark they’re less likely to suffer from hypoglycemia if they’re being fed on a proper schedule. All my Shih Tzu puppy owners receive a puppy manual that includes a feeding chart.

Furthermore, a Shih Tzu puppy may go through a fear period at around 8 weeks of age. A fear period is a time in a puppy’s development when suddenly things in the environment cause fear. An educated Shih Tzu breeder knows to look for signs that a litter of puppies is entering a fear period. In my Shih Tzu breeding program, all curriculum and training is mellowed down until the fear period passes. If a Shih Tzu puppy is sent home during a fear period, anxiety may be present throughout life. Anxiety can be avoided if a Shih Tzu breeder knows how to care for a litter going through a fear period.

As a responsible Shih Tzu Breeder, I strive to create confidence in the Shih Tzu puppies that I raise. It would be easier to send puppies home at 8 weeks but it isn’t in the best interest of the puppies. I raise all of the Shih Tzu puppies in my responsible breeding program on a developmentally appropriate curriculum. Keeping the Shih Tzu Puppies until they’re at least 10 weeks old allows me to work the puppies through the curriculum according to their developmental benchmarks. The result is brave puppies that have all the tools they need to succeed in their new homes.

To sum things up, Shih Tzu puppies that are separated from mom and littermates early may display developmental and behavioral problems throughout life. Puppies sent home early may also lack basic confidence. Furthermore, puppies sent home too soon may miss out on important learning opportunities and may be more fearful as adults. Puppies should be sent home when developmentally ready to create well-rounded puppies. Puppies can learn a great deal during the additional time spent with their breeder.

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The Array of Shih Tzu Coat Colors & Patterns

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Liver-chocolate and gold-liver Shih Tzu puppies wearing Christmas harnesses.
Chocolate-liver & gold-Liver Shih Tzu Puppies

Shih Tzu Coat Color 101

Shih Tzu coat colors and patterns are often a hot topic. When it comes to a Shih Tzu puppy’s color and markings the outcomes are vast. Shih Tzu puppies can come in a variety of colors and patterns.

The American Kennel Club recognizes 19 different coat colors in Shih Tzus:

Coat colors that the AKC currently recognizes include:
  • Gold & White
  • Liver
  • Liver & White
  • Red
  • Red & White
  • Silver
  • Silver & White
  • Silver, Gold & White
  • White
  • Black, Gold & Silver
  • Black, Gold & White
Common Coat Colors & Patterns

Some Shih Tzu breeders breed for certain colors to produce a chocolate Shih Tzu puppy or even a pure black Shih Tzu puppy for example. When breeders refer to a puppy as chocolate they are describing the coat color. The pigmentation color of a chocolate Shih Tzu is liver. Other Shih Tzu breeders prefer to produce puppies in a variety of coat colors and patterns.

Also, a Shih Tzu puppy may be solid and all in one color. For example, a Shih Tzu puppy may be born all gold with no other color present. Or, a Shih Tzu puppy may have abstract coat coloring. For instance, a chocolate Shih Tzu with a white patch on the chest is known to have an abstract coat pattern.

We must not forget the beautiful Parti Shih Tzu. A Parti puppy’s fur color usually consists of two or three colors. Usually white is the base color of a Parti Shih Tzu. Some of the common color combination outcomes include a chocolate and white Shih Tzu puppy, a black and white Shih Tzu, or a gold, black and white puppy. 

Let’s start by discussing the gold Shih Tzu. A gold puppy is usually a dark gold color at birth. An all-gold Shih Tzu puppy may or may not have a black mask. It isn’t uncommon for black tipping to appear on a golden puppy’s coat. Often the tipping goes away gradually when the coat is cut.

Furthermore, a gold Shih Tzu can come in a solid, abstract, or Parti pattern as mentioned above. A gold Shih Tzu puppy’s coat color often lightens with maturity. I have had the honor to raise several abstract gold Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program. All of their coats got considerably lighter with age. An adult gold Shih Tzu can range in color from dark gold to a light fawn color. The intensity gene is often responsible for determining the shade of gold. 

A red Shih Tzu puppy is typically born with a gorgeous dark orange color. A Shih Tzu puppy that is red is sometimes confused with a gold puppy. Red Shih Tzus tends to be a darker deep orange. Shih Tzus with a red coat is also prone to coat color changes with age. A Shih Tzu with red coloring may have a black mask or another color present throughout the coat. 

Solid black Shih Tzu puppies are rare. A Shih Tzu puppy may appear to be solid black at birth but often changes color over time. It isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu puppy to be all black at birth only to develop patches of another color as the coat matures. It is more likely to find a black Shih Tzu puppy with a white patch on the chest or a black and white Parti Shih Tzu puppy. That being said, solid black Shih Tzus do exist. They just aren’t as common as a black Shih Tzu with another color mixed into the coat.

I have been fortunate enough to raise several black Shih Tzu puppies in my Shih Tzu Breeding Program. Often a black Shih Tzu will have a silver or sable undercoat visible in puppyhood. Or a black Shih Tzu puppy may develop patches of white or silver on the coat over time. It is really difficult to predict a Shih Tzu puppy’s adult coat color. As the Shih Tzu puppy matures the adult coat slowly grows in and may go through many color changes.

Solid white Shih Tzu puppies are uncommon as well. An all-white Shih Tzu puppy’s coat will often have at least a splash of another color somewhere on the coat. A solid white Shih Tzu is often genetically cream or the result of the extreme piebald gene. The piebald gene causes the coat to be comprised of a white base color with patches of a secondary color seen throughout the coat. To complicate things further, a pure white Shih Tzu puppy may truly be a silver Shih Tzu. Often the silver sheen on a Shih Tzu puppy’s coat isn’t apparent until adulthood.

Silver Shih Tzus often looks white at birth. Sometimes a silver Shih Tzu puppy will have another color running through the coat such as black or white. A lot of individuals mistake the silver undercoat in a Shih Tzu for white. If you look closely in the sunlight you will see that a silver coat has more of a shimmer.

Brindle Shih Tzu puppies typically have a coat that is one color with another color flowing through the coat. The streaking can be subtle or very obvious. A brindle coat may not be noticeable in a Shih Tzu Tzu puppy until the adult coat grows all the way. The streaking of the other coat color may become more obvious when the puppy gets a haircut. Many of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program that were nearly pure black at birth ended up being black brindle Shih Tzus. The silver undercoat in the puppies just took time to grow in. 

A liver Shih Tzu is a bit more tricky to explain. The American Kennel Club considers any Shih Tzu puppy with a liver nose to be liver regardless of the coat color. Liver Shih Tzu puppies may come in just about any color other than black. All black becomes brown in a liver Shih Tzu. For example, a chocolate Shih Tzu and a gold Shih Tzu are both liver if the nose, paw pads, and eye rims are liver in color. If you want to learn more about the different pigmentation that Shih Tzu puppies may be born with click here.

Blue Shih Tzu pups are born with blue pigmentation. Blue refers to the pigment once again and not the official coat color. Shih Tzu puppies that are blue often have a charcoal pigment color. A blue Shih Tzu may be solid, abstract, or a combination of two or three colors as well. If a liver Shih Tzu has the dilute gene responsible for blue pigmentation the pigment will take on an almost lavender color. This lavender color is often known as Isabella.

As you can see after reading today’s blog post, Shih Tzu coat colors and patterns are vast. Whether you’re looking for a chocolate-liver Shih Tzu puppy or a pure black Shih Tzu it is important to always remember to choose a breeder that puts health and proper socialization first! Shih Tzus can come in an assortment of beautiful colors. A Shih Tzu puppy’s coat color may change over time but your Shih Tzu’s unconditional love for you will always remain the same! 

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The 7 Major Dog Groups

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Did you know that there are 7 major dog groups?

Most dogs fall into one of the 7 major dog group categories. Dogs evolved to carry out certain responsibilities. Dogs were bred specifically to carry out these tasks. It is important to know what category a dog falls into if you’re looking to purchase a puppy shortly. Each dog group possesses specific traits that add to their unique temperament.

The 7 dog groups include the following:

The Working Group includes dogs such as the Great Dane, Boxer, and Akita. The dogs in this group are typically large in stature. The working group dogs are typically hard-working, loyal, loving, and protective of their owners. They are intelligent animals.

The Sporting Group includes the Irish Setter, English Springer Spaniel, and the Golden Retriever. Most of the dogs in this group are medium to large. Sporting dogs are excellent at pointing and retrieving. They typically have great noses and are good hunting dogs.

The Terrier Group includes the Rat Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Scottish Terrier. The dogs in the Terrier group are usually small to medium in stature. Terriers are typically fearless! They were bred to scare off rodents. They typically have a confident yet stubborn temperament. 

The Herding Group includes dogs such as the  Corgie, Collie, and German Shepard. Most of the dogs in this group are medium to large. A herding dog’s main goal is to watch over livestock. The typical herding dog is intelligent and full of energy. This helps them excel at their job.

The Toy Group includes the Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Pug. The dogs in this category are usually small in stature. They have a loyal and affectionate personality and usually make great lap dogs. Toy dogs were bred to be companion animals. They typically have a higher life expectancy compared to the other groups.

The Non-Sporting Group includes the Poodle, French Bull Dog, and Dalmatian. These dogs typically don’t fit into any of the other major groups. These dogs are companion pets. They’re typically loyal and affectionate. The dogs in this group vary greatly when it comes to size.

The Hound Group includes dogs like the Beagle, Whippet, and Greyhound. Hound dogs instinctually love to hunt. They usually have an incredible sense of smell and are great at tracking. They have a high prey drive and are very fast. All of these traits make them incredible hunters.

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How Much Should My Shih Tzu Weigh?

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A cute Shih Tzu puppy for sale sitting on a chair outdoors.
Sweet Shih Tzu

What is an ideal weight for a Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzus belong to the toy group of dogs. Shih Tzus typically weigh between 9 to 16 pounds when they reach adulthood. Shih Tzus are full-grown at approximately 10 months of age. It isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu to sometimes be above or below the breed standard. All of the Shih Tzu puppies for sale in my responsible breeding program typically weigh 9 to 16 pounds.

Overeating is one reason that a Shih Tzu might fall out of the 9-16 pound range. It’s important to make sure that you don’t feed your Shih Tzu too much. Shih Tzus are prone to weight issues if they eat too much. A few extra treats every day can quickly pack on the pounds. This can be a serious issue in a small breed dog.

The extra weight can put additional stress on your Shih Tzus internal organs and lead to health conditions and even premature death. New owners should watch for signs of weight gain. A simple way to check and see if your Shih Tzu is packing on the pounds is to see if you can feel the rib cage. If you cannot feel the ribs your pet is likely overweight.

On the opposite end of the scale, your Shih Tzu could be underweight. If your Shih Tzu weighs less than 9 pounds, is fully grown, and isn’t an Imperial Shih Tzu he or she may be underweight. You can check to see if your Shih Tzu is underweight by checking to see if you can feel the ribs. If the ribs are easily felt your Shih Tzu is possibly underweight. 

If your Shih Tzu is over or underweight it is important to discuss these findings with your veterinarian. Being overweight can lead to chronic health conditions. Being underweight can lead to malnutrition. Also, an under or overweight Shih Tzu may indicate that your pet is suffering from a medical condition that needs attention. Either way, make an appointment with your veterinarian so you can learn what steps to take to get your Shih Tzu back to an ideal weight. 

The takeaway here is that you should keep your Shih Tzu at an ideal weight. If your Shih Tzu is too thin or obese he or she could suffer from health problems down the road. Although it isn’t uncommon for a Shih Tzu to be a pound or two above or below the current weight guidelines it is still important to offer your Shih Tzu a balanced and healthy diet.

Plenty of exercise is another step in the right direction. It is equally important that you talk to your veterinarian if your Shih Tzu suddenly starts to lose or gain weight. Your veterinarian must rule out serious medical conditions. After all, a healthy Shih Tzu is a happy Shih Tzu!

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