Shih Tzu & Poodle Mix: Exploring the Adorable Shih-Poo Hybrid Breed

Last Updated on October 31, 2023 by Fumipets

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Height:	8 – 18 inches
Weight:	9 – 16 pounds
Lifespan:	10 – 16 years
Colors:	Black, brown, brindle, white
Suitable for:	Urban living, apartment dwellers, seniors, families, first-time owners
Temperament:	Loyal, affectionate, easy to train, playful, friendly

A Shih Tzu and a Poodle are crossed to create the hybrid dog breed known as the Shih-Poo. The breed is not recognized as an official breed by kennel organizations and associations since it is a more recent hybrid. The finest characteristics of their parent breeds may be seen in Shih Poos. They keep the Shih Tzu’s loyalty and devotion as well as the Poodle’s low-shedding and hypoallergenic characteristics.

Shih Poos don’t need a lot of room and can adapt to practically any living scenario since they are petite breed canines. They like spending time with families and are often pleasant to outsiders. With the exception of routine grooming, they need minimal upkeep and make wonderful elderly companion dogs. The Shih Poo is a breed that is suitable for those who have dander allergies since it is hypoallergenic. These dogs like playing, but they’re also content to cuddle up on your lap.

Given that the Shih Poo is a hybrid breed, the genes that pups receive from their parents will determine the colors and coat lengths that they will have as adults. They may have straight or curly coats, and any shade of black, brown, brindle, or white.

3 Little-Known Facts About Shih Poos

1. The Shih Poo is a designer dog breed.

Purebred parents are used to create designer dog breeds. Shih Poos are offspring of a Shih Tzu and a Poodle, two purebred animals. Shih Poo pups are typically produced by mating a toy Poodle.

2. Shih Poos have multiple names.

Pooshis and Shoogles are other names for Shih Poos. They should not be confused with Poo-Shi dogs, a term used to describe a Shiba Inu/Poodle hybrid.

3. The Shih Poo breed was originally developed in North America.

While Shih Tzus and Poodles come from China and Germany, respectively, the Shih Poo was developed in North America in an attempt to produce a beloved, sociable, and hypoallergenic dog breed.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shih Poo

The personalities of hybrid dog breeds may vary greatly. There is no certainty that a puppy will have a particular coat type, just as there is no guarantee that they will act like another breed. In spite of this, because both the Poodle and the Shih Tzu have a lengthy, documented history, we may reasonably infer what Shih Poo pups are like.

Poodles and Shih Tzus are both gregarious, outgoing dogs, so it stands to reason that their offspring would be the same. They don’t often exhibit shyness, anxiety, or hostility.

All ages of people get along well with Shih Poos, especially if they pay attention to him. They like being caressed and hugged, and early handling and socialization help to foster this behavior. They often get along well as companion dogs for home pets but dislike other dogs that are not part of the family.

Shih Poos are not renowned for being loud, despite the fact that little dogs in general have this reputation. Like their Poodle parent, the majority of them are calm and quiet. While they may bark to let you know when they are hungry, when they need to go outdoors, or when a guest is around, it’s unlikely that this behavior will be persistent or constant. Shih Poos have a low barking threshold, which makes them excellent apartment pets since they won’t disturb your neighbors.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Shih Poos are renowned for being amiable and devoted to their family members. Due to their desire of play, they are wonderful pets for families with older children. Because they may get aggressive when small children pull or treat them roughly, they are not suitable dogs for newborns and young children. They need playmates who realize that since they are small-statured dogs, they may be easily damaged if humans are overly rough with them.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Shih Poo dog breed is amiable and gets along with practically anything and everyone. If you have other pets in the house, your Shih Poo should be introduced to them while they are young so they will think of them as family members.

Shih Poos don’t fare well when left alone for extended periods of time, so having a companion dog might assist with boredom and loneliness.

Things to Know When Owning a Shih Poo

Shih Poos are a flexible breed of dog that can live in a variety of settings, but it doesn’t mean everyone should own one. Before taking one of these cute critters into their house, potential owners should be aware of a few things.

Food & Diet Requirements

Shih Poos are thought to be medium-energy dogs, thus their food should match this. They must be given high-quality dog food that satisfies their dietary requirements. The Shih Poo shouldn’t be free-fed since, like many other dog breeds, they have the propensity to overeat and put on weight. Health difficulties and joint problems will result from excessive weight gain.

Exercise

Although they may be lively, dogs of this breed only need a modest amount of exercise. This is partly caused by their diminutive stature. The ideal is two quick walks each day, although play may be added in at various intervals. It’s not necessary to limit playtime to outside activities. The Shih Poo may easily burn off excess energy by playing with toys inside because of their tiny size.

If you don’t want to carry your dog, this breed is not one for owners who wish to take them on lengthy excursions or walks. They do, however, excel at dog sports like agility, which may be an excellent way to exercise both their body and intellect at once.

Training

Don’t allow the intelligence and ease of learning of Shih Poos deceive you into believing that they are always simple to train. Because of their tremendous intellect, they can learn incorrect information just as readily as the correct information. These canines have the capacity to teach themselves any number of undesirable behaviors and harmful habits if left to their own devices.

They may be difficult to teach, as is the case with the majority of intelligent dogs. When teaching your Shih Poo, it’s crucial to choose the appropriate incentive since they need enough motivation to accomplish. Puppy training sessions should be brief and repeated often because of their limited attention spans. To achieve the intended outcome, patience, encouragement, and persistence are all necessary.

Shih Poos just won’t do things that they don’t want to do, so house training may be very difficult and take months. However, because of their size, these dogs may be taught to use paper, which might aid with housetraining in the short run.

Grooming

No matter what kind of coat your Shih Poo has, it must be groomed at least twice a week to prevent matting and tangling. Once or twice a year, their coats should be trimmed, paying special attention to the area around their eyes where hair may obstruct eyesight and impair vision.

Since smaller dog breeds are more likely to have dental issues, it is advised that you clean your pet’s teeth many times a week.

As with Shih Tzu and Poodle mix dogs, Shih Poos should be washed once a month to avoid skin issues.

Health and Conditions

Dental issues are more common in little dogs. These problems may be avoided by brushing your Shih Poo’s teeth, giving them dental chews, and ensuring that they get regular dental examinations.

In this breed, rashes and skin allergies are also frequent. By making sure they have thorough and frequent grooming, this may be avoided.

Minor Conditions

Teary eyes

Lung disorders

Von Willebrand’s disease

Intervertebral disc disease

Serious Conditions

Hypothyroidism

Male vs. Female

Shih Poos both sexes grow to reach around the same size. Males tend to be more anxious and, as a result, more aggressive toward strangers than females without the correct socialization as pups. Nevertheless, teaching men is simpler than training females since males are more motivated by food.

Conclusion

Shih Poos, which are crosses between Shih Tzus and Poodles, are devoted, loving dogs. They are a tiny, flexible breed with a modest level of activity. They may be wonderful household pets or friends for elderly or lonely persons. Despite being bright, they may be challenging to train because of their sometimes obstinate disposition. This breed is very difficult to housebreak. As previously said, the cost of Shih Poo may vary from $500 to $2,000.

The Shih Poo might be prone to a few health problems, although they live long lives. Training takes time and work, but the reward is a sweet dog that will be a lifelong member of your family.

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