Florida Fur Babies > Dog Breeds > Shih Pom
Shih Pom Breed Information
Shih Poms are a mix of the purebred Pomeranian and the purebred Shih Tzu. They can be hypoallergenic, depending on what side of their family they inherit. They are classified as a toy designer breed and make great pets for small spaces. Shih Poms are very friendly and affectionate pets. They love to play and cuddle up with their humans. These pups make good watchdogs because they bark at strangers or anything suspicious around the house. They are highly intelligent and can be taught to perform tricks with ease.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Hybrid / Shih Tzu crossed with a Pomeranian
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Cuddly, Calm, Gentle
ADULT WEIGHT
4-15 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
7-12 inches
LIFE SPAN
12-16
Characteristics
- The Shih Pom is the perfect mix of two adorable purebreds, the Pomeranian and the Shih Tzu
- They are easy-going, sweet, and loving to their family. They follow them around everywhere with a smile on their face and a can-do attitude
- With their hypoallergenic qualities, they make the perfect pet for allergy sufferers
- Benefiting from hybrid vigor, this pup can live a long and healthy life
- They make great companions for families with children because they are calm and accepting
- They make excellent watchdogs because they will bark when someone approaches your home or if they hear an unusual noise in the middle of the night
- This affectionate creature is a fun playmate for the whole family, and they thrive when living alongside other pets in an active household
- Their kindly nature and cheerful attitude make them ideal for therapy work
Appearance
Shih Poms are small dogs that have a teddy bear appearance. They are known for their shiny coat, which they do not shed very much. They have a rounded body with short legs and a coat that is both soft and silky.
Their heads are relatively large compared to their bodies, and their ears are set high on their heads and stand upright when alert or excited. This breed comes in several different colors: white, brown, orange, sable, brindle, or red.
On average, Shih Poms weigh around 4 to 15 pounds when fully grown and measure about 12 inches tall at the shoulder (including their long coats). Their long coats can add another 2 inches to their total height when standing on all fours.
Temperament
The Shih Pomeranian mix is one of the most popular designer dog breeds today because they combine two beautiful dog breeds into one adorable package. They are known for being very intelligent and eager to please, making training them easy.
They are also a very social breed and will want to be around their owners as much as possible. They are very playful and moderately energetic dogs that love to play outside with children or other dogs, but they can also be calm and quiet when they need to be.
This breed does best when they have lots of attention from their owners, so it’s best to not leave them alone for long periods of time.
Shih Poms are a spunky, interactive, and affectionate breed. They make excellent companions and family dogs, but they can also be good watchdogs. They are small in size and have a strong tendency to bark at strange noises or activities.
Care
Grooming
Shih Poms have moderate grooming requirements. They are easily groomed and don't shed much hair at all. They have a long coat that requires regular brushing and combing to avoid matting. They need their ears cleaned regularly to prevent ear infections.
They need their nails to be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper, but they are typically not as high maintenance as some other breeds. Their nails can get caught on things like carpeting and furniture and will scratch the surface, which can lead to damage. Nails that are too long will also make it difficult for them to walk or climb stairs.
Bathing should be performed once a month or when needed to remove dirt from the coat. Bathing too often can dry out the skin and make it more susceptible to irritation from environmental factors such as pollen or dust.
Dental care is part of basic Shih Pom grooming. Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week with a canine toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. Use a soft-bristled brush designed for dogs and never use human toothbrushes on dogs because they're too hard for their mouths.
Exercise Needs
Shih Poms are moderately active dogs that don't need vigorous exercise every day but do require regular exercise to maintain their health and well-being. They're ideal for people who live in apartments or small homes because they don't require lots of space.
They need only 20 to 30 minutes of walking each day, or even more if you have an apartment or small home where the dog can't get enough exercise indoors. If you have a yard where your Shih Pom can run around freely, that's even better.
Health
Because Shih Poms were developed by crossing different breeds, they can inherit the best traits from each parent breed without inheriting any of their health problems. This is called hybrid vigor or heterosis. This means that when two different species mate, the offspring will be healthier than either parent species because they do not carry as many genetic defects as their parent breeds do.
Shih Poms are a very popular breed of dog and for good reason. They are affectionate, intelligent, playful, and loyal. They don't shed much, they don't bark much, and they are easy to train. However, there are some common health issues that all small breeds have, that you should be aware of if you are thinking about bringing home one of these adorable little dogs.
Cataracts can develop at any age but seem more common in older dogs. Cataracts are clouding of the lens inside the eye that causes vision loss when they get worse.
Shih Poms can be allergic to fleas, grasses, or pollen. Symptoms include itching and scratching, redness around the eyes and ears, ear infections, excessive shedding, hot spots, or skin infections. Dogs with allergies may benefit from daily doses of diphenhydramine. Your veterinarian can help you determine the best treatment plan for your pet's allergies based on their history and symptoms.
A typical adult Shih Pom will weigh between 4 and 15 pounds, so it is important to keep their weight in check. Obesity can cause health problems such as diabetes or joint problems, so owners should make sure that their dog is not getting any extra pounds.
Lifespan
Shih Poms have a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. The average is 14 years. With proper nutrition, exercise, and love, their life expectancy can be greatly increased.
Training
Shih Poms training is not difficult. They are an intelligent breed and they are very obedient. They will learn quickly if they are properly trained. They have the ability to pick up commands within a few repetitions and they enjoy being trained. They will also listen well when they have been properly socialized and have been given lots of positive reinforcement during the training process.
They can be leash trained, but you should make sure you start this at an early stage so that it becomes a routine part of their life. This can be done by attaching a leash to their collar at an early age and using it for walks around the house so that they get used to wearing one before you venture outside with them.
When you begin leash training with them, start off slowly, and don’t try walking them on a busy street or sidewalk until they know how to walk calmly beside you without pulling on their leash or running off in another direction.
You should start with small steps when teaching them new commands. For example, if you're teaching them how to sit, don't expect them to do it immediately on command after just one try. It may take several sessions before they get it right. Make sure you give plenty of praise when they do get things right so that they don't get discouraged.
History
Shih Poms are dogs of royalty, created as a new hypoallergenic dog breed. They are a mix between a Shih Tzu and a Pomeranian. The Shih Pom is super popular in the world, especially in the United States.
These beautiful puppies have, over time, proven to be excellent family dogs. We will learn about their current place in the world and how they arrived at being the lovely pets they are now, by looking at their parent's histories.
The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed of dog that has been around for more than 2000 years. The Shih Tzu was originally bred as a companion dog for Chinese royalty, but it also served as a watchdog and guardian of the home.
The Shih Tzu is believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds in existence today. The Tibetan Terrier, which is the ancestor of the Shih Tzu, was discovered by Westerners in Tibet during the 19th century. They were brought back to England by English explorers who found them while exploring Tibet.
In order to differentiate between these two breeds, British breeders took some of their Tibetan Terriers and crossed them with Pekingese dogs. This resulted in a new breed called Lhasa Apsos. However, it wasn't until after World War II that people started breeding these dogs with other breeds to create what we now know as Shih Tzus.
The Pomeranian breed of dog is a small, loving companion that is closely related to the Spitz family. Not only are they beautiful dogs, but they have a long and interesting history that goes back thousands of years.
In medieval times these dogs spread across Europe where they were used as guard dogs and hunting companions. The most famous example of this is Queen Elizabeth I who kept Pomeranian-like dogs as pets at her palace at Greenwich Palace in London. These little lapdogs became very popular among European royalty and aristocracy during the Renaissance era when they were often carried around by their owners.