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Why does my Shih Tzu puppy have short hair when both parents are long?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I I bred my kc reg shitzu with my brothers kc reg shitzu there both long haired but the puppies are 6 weeks old now and one of them has short hair? The other 3 look like your typical shitzu puppies but this one has the shitzu features like eyes nose mouth ears but it has short hair why is this she’s also kc reg

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Megan, DVM, CVA

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on November 16th, 2017

It is possible to have shorter hair depending on their genetics. For instance (just an example), if long hair is a dominant gene and and short hair is a recessive gene then there is a chance for a puppy to have two of the recessive genes and end up with shorter hair.

As long as you know there were not any other intact males around while she is in heat (the puppies can have different fathers), then I expect that she is full blooded and I would not worry about her shorter hair! She is just special! :) As she gets older, her hair may get longer.
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