Florida Fur Babies > Dog Breeds > Shih Poo
Shih Poo Breed Information
A Shih Tzu and Poodle mix, the Shih Poo puppy is a perfect blend of dashing looks and winning personalities. Like the Poodle and the Shih Tzu, the Shih Poo puppies check all the right boxes. They are intelligent, gorgeous, and very well behaved around children, dogs, and other house pets. Shih Poo puppies are also attentive to their owners and easy to train. They are fond of attention, fun games, and daily snuggles.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Doodle Hybrid / Poodle crossed with a Shih Tzu
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Clever, Affectionate, Gentle, Loyal, Loving
ADULT WEIGHT
8-18 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
8-17 in
LIFE SPAN
10-15 yrs
Characteristics
- A cross between a purebred Poodle and a purebred Shih Tzu, the Shih Poo is currently one of the most popular doodle breeds in the United States
- Hypoallergenic Shih Poo coat
- The Shih Poo’s high trainability and sweet nature make these puppies excellent for therapy work
- Grooming Shih Poo dogs is easy as they aren’t a high maintenance breed
- Shih Poo puppies are playful and sweet. They make great family dogs and adorable fur babies
- Highly adaptable and easygoing, the Shih Poos are quick to adapt to their new surroundings
- Shih Poo hybrid vigor ensures excellent health
- Neither active nor too relaxed, Shih Poo enjoys any type of lifestyle
Appearance
Shih Poos are a crossbreed of two dogs, with a personality that is lively and friendly. They are known for their athletic yet elegant body, which can be slightly long or short. They come in a variety of colors such as black, brown, grey, tan, apricot, white, and brindle. The beautiful coat of the Shih Poo is most often a combination of coat textures from its purebred parents. Given that these sweet dogs are a mix between a curly Poodle and a straight-haired Shih Tzu, their coats may be straight, wavy, or completely curly. They shed very little and are a breeze to groom. Shih Poos also have very good hypoallergenic qualities that make them a good fit for an owner that has allergy problems.
The Shih Poo size is generally small to very small in some cases. These cute doodle dogs typically weigh an average of 8 to 18 pounds and grow between 8 and 17 inches tall at the shoulder.
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Temperament
Shih Poo puppies are originally from the United States and are known all over the world for their fun and entertaining, yet intelligent, playfulness. They love to play fetch with their owners but will also keep them entertained by performing cute tricks. These little dogs thrive on human companionship and require plenty of attention from their owners.
Shih Poos are known to be very loyal but can be a little overprotective of their family. Well-educated and easy to train, these little dogs make great pets for families with kids since they're so gentle around them. They tend to bond with one member of the family in particular, which makes this breed ideal for homes where there is one dominant figure.
The Shih Poo is a dog that has a lot of personality and is often used as an emotional assistance pet. They are known for their calm demeanor, loyalty, and unconditional love.
These adorable dogs also have an inquisitive nature that makes them want to explore every inch of their surroundings, whether it's digging under the bed or searching the house for the perfect place to nap.
Care
Shih Poo Grooming
Shih Poo dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis to keep them healthy and looking good. There are many steps involved in grooming a Shih Poo, but the most important ones are brushing their coats and teeth, bathing, and clipping their nails. Brushing is the first step in grooming a Shih Poo. It removes dead hair from the coat and dirt from the skin. You should brush your dog every day or every other day with a soft bristle brush, such as a pin brush. Use long, firm strokes to remove as much hair as possible without pressing on the skin. Although they are not a dog breed that is prone to get dirty very often, Shih Poos still require a monthly bath to keep their appearance fluffy and clean. It is also beneficial to clip their nails after their monthly bath. Shih Poos can be prone to dental issues which is why it is important to brush their teeth as frequently as possible with dog toothpaste.
Shih Poo Exercise Needs
Shih Poos are not the most active dogs, but they have moderate energy levels that are enough to still enjoy long walks, occasional hikes, cuddles, and fun outdoor activities. They need at least two short walks every day and some indoor activities that can keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Shih Poo Health
Shih Poo dogs are a very popular breed renowned for their good health and hybrid vigor. They are generally healthy as a breed, but some conditions can develop in the long run. The most common ones are dental issues, joint problems, progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts. These conditions are not specific to Shih Poos, but rather to all small dog breeds. Shih Poos may also develop weight problems if they are allowed to over-indulge on their favorite food.
Shih Poo Lifespan
The average lifespan for a Shih Poo dog is between 10 and 16 years. There are many factors that affect the Shih Poo's lifespan. A nurturing environment, quality dog food, and daily exercise can increase the lifespan of a Shih Poo by two to three years.
Shih Poo Training
Many people who own Shih Poo dogs find them to be a joy to train and care for. They are small and playful, which means they are easy to manage, but they also have a lot of energy and can learn quickly. There are no training limitations with Shih Poo puppies, as they can be trained to be gentle, friendly, and independent. These dogs typically love learning new tricks and performing for their owners, which means they can be quickly taught basic commands.
Shih Poo puppies are bred for their easygoing nature, but sometimes that can lead to over enthusiastic behavior. Shihpoos are highly intelligent and will love obedience training, but they can also be stubborn during the process. You need to be patient and persistent when training a Shih Poo.
It is always beneficial to housebreak your puppies as soon as they arrive home. Crate training is the best way to housebreak your Shih Poo. This method of training teaches a Shih Poo that their den is their safe haven and that they should not roam outside the crate when you’re not home. Crate training is the best training method for your dog to stay out of trouble. It will also reduce the likelihood of accidents in your home, making it a cost-effective choice.
History
Also referred to as the Shoodle, Shih Doodle, and Shi-poo, this hybrid puppy is a cross between a purebred Shih Tzu and a purebred Miniature or Toy Poodle. The Shih Poos are a small breed of dog that have been bred to work with people. Given their sweet nature, they were bred for their qualities for therapy work. They have a spunky personality and are often affectionate and playful. With the help of their owners and trainers, they quickly learn commands and can be trained quite easily for emotional assistance. They also get along great with children, which is another reason why the Poodle and the Shih Tzu were chosen for this mix.
Shih Poo puppies were first bred in the United States at the beginning of the 21st century. Given that they have been around for only 20 years or so, their history is not yet well documented. The Shih Tzu and the Poodle parent breeds can tell us everything we need to know about the Shih Poo puppies.
The Shih Tzu is a breed of dog originating from the province of Sichuan in China. As some claim, the breed was first bred to hunt and was then later used as a companion at royal palaces. The Chinese name for the Shih Tzu is “Xiong-Li” which means lion dog. These beautiful lion dogs have a sweet personality and limitless loyalty. They are cuddly and very fond of being doted on. Shih Tzus were selected for the Shih Poo mix for their gentleness and friendly disposition.
The Poodle is an ancient variety of dog originating from Germany. It is one of the most popular breeds in the world. The breed was originally bred for water work and hunting. Poodles are one of the most popular breeds in the world, having risen to popularity thanks to their superior intelligence and adorable looks. These curly-coated dogs are renowned for their agility and faithfulness. They don’t possess aggressive traits and are friends with everyone in sight. Poodles were selected as parents for the Shih Poo thanks to their high intelligence, agility, and remarkable trainability.