A Shih-poo is a mixture of a Shih Tzu & Miniature or Toy Poodle. Originally originated in the United States, the ShihPoo has been bred to create a new hypoallergenic dog.
This crossbreed was also meant to be small enough to sit on the owner’s lap and be easy to carry around.
Poodle crosses have been extremely popular in the past century with crossbreeds with other dogs.
The ShihPoo is relatively new; breeders believe that it will become popular in the future.
The Shihpoo is a very energetic dog and loves to be around people. This dog will have everyone in the house, running around playing with him!
Shih-poo Size
Dogs come in all different shapes and sizes from the small to the very big. ShihPoos can weigh anywhere from 8 and 18 pounds and stand from 8 to 13 inches tall!
All Shih-poo dogs will be a little different depending on the crossbreed’s genes they got. Their lifespan is around 10-15 years!
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Personality
ShihPoos are playful and energetic dogs! They love to play and chase after balls and stuffed animals.
Shihpoos get along great with children of all ages, but they prefer older children that will play with them.
This breed is very accepting and affectionate with everyone. They love to cuddle with their owners and expect to sleep in bed with them at night.
The Shihpoo is a very funny dog; they love to hear their own voice. They love to bark and talk to their owners all day long.
Shih-poo Temperament
Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization.
Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful; they will also want to be held by them. Socialization helps ensure that your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded adult dog!
They do not do well if ignored or left alone for extended periods of time. Boredom and loneliness will lead to destructive behavior and incessant barking. So be sure to start training your dog as a puppy!
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Coat
ShihPoos coats can be long and silky or short and curly or even somewhere in between both.
Colors with this breed can be absolutely anything. There are so many combinations of colors for this breed, but the most common are gray, white, black, and a crème color.
Major differences in coat style and color can occur within the same litter of ShihPoo puppies.
Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Grooming
Brushing is essential and should be done at least twice weekly! The Shihpoo’s hair can get very long and curly, so you want to brush the knots out.
The ShihPoo’s coat might need seasonal trimming; it all depends upon the type of coat your dog has. Like we said up there, the Shihpoo comes in all different colors, hair lengths, and coat types!
Bathing is necessary each month as the ShihPoo tends to have skin issues such as dry and flaky skin.
Brush your ShihPoo’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it.
Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Trim his nails regularly if your dog doesn’t wear them down naturally
Start grooming your dog as a puppy so they can get accustomed to it. Make sure you make the experience as positive as possible for them with lots of praise afterward.
If your dog has a bad experience with grooming, that’s it from there on out they will hate it.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge.
ShihPoo Health Issues
ShihPoo’s are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Not all ShihPoo’s will get sick or have underlying conditions so it is good just to know about the possibilities.
In no way are we saying your dog has this or will have these. Ask the breeder you plan on purchasing your Shih-Poo from about the parent’s health history such as the health clearances. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for certain diseases.
Patellar Luxation: the patellar is the knee cap, and luxation means dislocation. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint slides out of place, causing pain. Most dogs have this condition, but it doesn’t come out until much later in life or not at all.
Ear Infections: this can be a problem for ShihPoo’s due to dirty ears. Make sure you keep their ears clean and check in them often.
Allergies: Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the ShihPoo’s is no exception. There are three types of allergies food, contact, and inhalant allergies. Treatment varies according to the cause and may include dietary restrictions, medications, and environmental changes.
Cataracts: the dog’s eye will become cloudy and will the dog poor vision. This usually occurs in old age and it can be removed to improve the dog’s vision.
ShihPoo’s Exercise
The Shih Poo doesn’t require a lot of vigorous exercise. I know we said they are very energetic dogs but they really only need a brisk walk in the morning and evening to keep them staying healthy.
This breed does better in a fenced in yard where the dog can run and play all they want. They love playing fetch, so try to get out there and do that.
This is not a hybrid breed that will enjoy jogging or hiking with his owners. Playing is great, but too much exertion is counterproductive to the ShihPoo’s health.
This designer breed needs around 40 minutes of exercise a day.
ShihPoo’s Training
The Shih Poo is quite stubborn when it comes to training. It’s very hard to teach a Shih-poo how to do tricks, and even potty train them outside.
You really need to work with the Shih-poo as a puppy every day with potty training. If you really stay on top of it, it should only take a few months.
Crate training at a young age will help your ShihPoo in training, and they will learn how to handle being boarded.
Never stick your ShihPoo in a crate all day long! All training should be done using positive methods.
Yummy rewards and exciting praise will help make training sessions go more smoothly.
ShihPoo’s Feeding
How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don’t all need the same amount of food.
The quality of your dog food also makes a big difference. The better the food, the more nourishment it will give your dog.
Dry kibble is the best for the Shihpoo because they have bad dental problems, so the dry food is the best.
This crossbreed has the tendency to overeat, so careful monitoring of the ShihPoo’s caloric intake is important to his overall health and well-being.
This breed needs around a cup of food each day, divided into two meals throughout the day.
Life Expectancy of a Shih Tzu Poodle Mix
The life expectancy of the Shih Tzu Poddle mix is around twelve to fifteen years.
This can range from dog to dog. Some may live longer, while others have had shorter lives.
This will all depend on the health of your specific dog.
Origin
Well, as you already know, the Shih-poo was made when you bred a Shih-Tzu and a Poddle together.
The parent’s history line dates back a long time, but this designer crossbreed is relatively new.
What we do know is that this designer breed has been around for at least thirty years.
They were first found in America, and the were bred to create a more hypoallergenic dog.
What Colors Do They Come In?
There are just a few colors you will find in this breed, they are:
- Gray
- Black
- Brown
- White
They can have either a black or brown nose and usually only brown or amber-colored eyes.
Cool Traits / Characteristics?
This is a companion breed which means they love to be close to their owners. They are not the type of dog that you would let live outdoors.
Shih-poo Puppies
Shih-Poo puppies are gaining in popularity. They can still be quite hard to find a reputable breeder for this designer breed.
When you finally do find a breeder they might want to charge up to $700 for a puppy.
These puppies need to be trained. It can take a long time to get potty training down.
Make sure you give your Shipoo puppy lots of positive reinforcement when training. You can do this with praising or even with treats.
Close Relatives of the Shih Tzu Poodle Mix
There are some relatives and breeds that closely resemble the Shih-Poo. Check these breeds out as well:
- Shih-Tzu
- Poodle
- Shorkie-Zu
- Shiranian
- Yorkipoo